Hi, I’m Lina.
It’s nice to meet you.
I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) working in Victoria, B.C. Through compassionate self-exploration, I empower my clients to rediscover their purpose and regain control of their lives.
I believe finding meaning and joy in life requires growing into our unique potential as human beings. Ironically, to do that, we first need to have compassion for ourselves.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
I know, right? That’s easier said than done. We’ve spent a lifetime with those inner critics telling us we’re not good enough, that we’re unlovable, that somehow we’re always doing life wrong. Those thoughts have travelled through our brains and hearts so often they’ve created deep tread marks. We fall into them automatically and they always lead us to the same places: fear, loneliness, insecurity, anger, conflict.
Consciously stepping off the familiar path to build a new one that leads you closer to your true self isn’t easy. Truthfully, sometimes it can totally suck. It’s hard, gruelling work that will take you into the dark recess of your soul. But if you have the courage and commitment to take this journey towards more self-compassion, acceptance, and ultimately self-awareness, the reward is feeling liberated and empowered to choose the path that allows you to be more you.
*A Quick Aside: Books!
Books are still a very important part of who I am and how I practice, so be warned: if you’re a reader, I’ll probably be recommending books to you. I’m sorry, I can’t help it. It’s part of my librarian nature. If you’re not as much into story as I am, that’s cool too. We’ll find other ways to connect the dots.
Let’s Get Personal…
Demographics
I’m a fifty-year-old, (relatively) able-bodied, cis-gendered heterosexual white woman who grew up middle class in Victoria, BC. I have two adult daughters and have experienced both divorce and widowhood. I do not take the privilege of my particular social location lightly; I not only welcome, but encourage conversations about how your experience of the world may different than mine, and how your own social location has contributed to the state of your mental health.
Education and Careers
I’ve had several different careers in my lifetime. I graduated with a degree in humanities (focusing mostly on English Literature) from the University of Victoria and then promptly got pregnant. I was a stay-at-home mom for a few years until I got accepted to McGill’s Master of Library and information Studies (MLIS). I spent over a decade in Montreal as a youth librarian both in the public system and then at an all girls private high school.*
When I moved back to Victoria, I began working for the provincial government, eventually finding my way to the position of senior policy analyst. This analytical, evidence-based spirit is how I show up as a counsellor— I support clients by guiding people in their own inner detective work, always with compassion, non-judgement and at their own pace.
Though I enjoyed the work I did with the government, I wanted work that spoke to my soul, that fascinated me and that made me want to keep learning. So, in my late forties I embarked on my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP).
Fellow Traveler
A big part of my decision to become a counsellor is my own personal experience with divorce, death and the consequent loss of identity, purpose and dreams for the future. I want to do this work with others because my personal journey into these dark, shadowy places has been and continues to be so transformative. I cannot imagine a better vocation than helping others navigate their way through their own darkness to finally claim agency over their own lives.
Things that Bring Me Joy
My daughters—they are the most important relationships in my life. I like to stay physically active, mostly by going for runs. I am a reader and a writer and love to engage with big ideas that help illuminate this tragicomic journey we call the human condition. I am one of those ridiculous dog owners who has a wardrobe for their pet and who spoils them rotten. I like playing slacker league pickleball, jumping into lakes with my sister, dancing in the kitchen and riding my bike on empty streets at twilight.
My Approach
I believe that everyone is the expert on their own experience: I take a collaborative, creative, human-centered approach that includes concepts from internal family systems, narrative, and psychodynamic therapy. I have a strong interest in existential therapy as a beginning framework for understanding the areas human beings struggle with most and am passionate about helping clients develop the self-awareness necessary to effect the change they want to see in their lives.
And don’t worry if these are new concepts for you—I’m happy to explain about the different theories if you’re interested. If you’re not, that’s totally okay too.
In a nutshell, it means I approach all my clients through the lens of our shared , flawed humanity and try to create a space framed by compassion, respect, curiosity and non-judgement.