WOMEN’S COUNSELLING
Stopping the Violence (STV) Women’s Counselling Program
The STV program provides free and confidential individual and group counselling for self-identified women who have been affected by violence and abuse whether that be of a physical, psychological, emotional, or spiritual nature. Services are provided in-person, by phone or online.
Services include:
· Crisis intervention and safety planning
· A safe, confidential place to talk about your experiences.
· A non-judgmental environment
· Information and education about the effects of trauma and responses to it
· Exploration of personal resources and coping strategies
· Collaboration with clients to identify goals and improve quality of life.
· Referrals to other services and support as needed.
Additional areas addressed in STV Counselling:
· Managing relationships (family, intimate, professional)
· Financial issues
· Boundaries
· Assertiveness
· Health concerns
· Identifying societal norms and expectations that influence wellness.
· Parenting
· Caregiving of family members
· Life Transitions-Marriage, Pregnancy, Separation, Menopause, Aging
Program Coordinator – Wendy Watts CCC, RCC, MTA
I have a background in music therapy and began my career in 1992 working in community and hospital settings with children and adults in Vancouver as a music therapist.
I moved to Haida Gwaii in 2003 and first joined Islands Wellness Society to provide Maternity coverage for the Child and Youth Counselling Program in 2008 and 2010. In 2013 I took the position of the Child and Youth Counselling Coordinator and remained in that role for eleven years. In 2022, I obtained my master’s degree in counselling psychology and have since become a certified counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and a registered clinical counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).
In March 2024, I moved into the position of Stopping the Violence (STV) Women’s Counsellor and Coordinator here at IWS, formerly held by Nell Toegel.
I work from a trauma-informed, feminist, and person-centred perspective, and use a variety of approaches in my work with clients. I draw from narrative therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, emotionally focused therapy, and expressive arts therapies while staying committed to aligning and collaborating with my clients throughout the counselling relationship. I am excited and honoured to be in this position and to continue working with our committed staff and Board members.
In my leisure time, I enjoy creative writing and music composition as well as being outdoors and connecting with friends and family.
