online existential therapy
It all begins with a seed of doubt. Life seems uncertain and you are not sure how to be yourself. Daunting philosophical questions bounce through your head—
Who am I, and what’s this life all about? You want to take ownership of your existence—start to make sense of it, and steer it in a direction that is authentic to who you are and what you want your life to be. I can help.
I’m Vanessa (she/her). I’m an existential (online) therapist, writer, and researcher.
My Specializations
As an existential therapist, I work with issues around identity and life purpose. I believe that people are always in a state of becoming. New life stages or circumstances can throw us off balance and make us realize we have new work to do. These are not setbacks, they are part of the natural flow of life.
Figuring out how to be human in this world is an ongoing process, full of big questions. I hope to offer a space for you to be seen, appreciated, and partnered with in your explorations of these questions.
My job—which I love!—is to help you reconnect with life and take up your existence. I consider it an honour to journey alongside you as you rediscover (or find for the first time) who you are and how you want to live in this world.
Although pain and suffering will always be natural parts of the human experience, I believe in the grit of the human spirit. I know we all carry resilience within us, and I believe there is always a way to tap into it. I am here to accompany and support you on this journey.
I work with adult individuals of all kinds, including other counsellors!
I also work with other mental health professionals, by providing individual consultation services for case consultations, consideration of ethical dilemmas, professional development, and self-care for people working in helping professions.
My Approach to Therapy
My approach to therapy is collaborative. You and I will journey together on a highly tailored path we develop just for you. I see all of life as relational. We do not exist in a vacuum of solitude, rather we are in constant relation with everything around us (other people, our environment, our circumstances, etc.). We need others to reflect our existence back to us. And, we all really do need someone to lean on.
In our time together we will form a partnership. As the therapist, I hold expertise about the capacity for humans to heal and grow, and I deeply appreciate the expertise you (as the client) embody about your self and your experiences. My hope is that—in our relationship—you feel that you’re not alone. And that through shared honesty, trust, and humour there will ignite a spark of hope that helps you along on your journey of growth and healing.
Education and Training
I have a PhD in Counselling Psychology from The University of British Columbia, and am a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC #10005857). I also receive ongoing training in existential analysis, which is my approach to counselling. And I have a certificate in online counselling.
I have applied for, but have not yet been granted, registration as a psychologist with The College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. As a part of this process, I receive ongoing supervision and my supervisor is professionally responsible and legal accountable for the services I provide during this time.
My theoretical orientation is existential analysis, and I continue to participate in ongoing training in this area.
On a more personal note…
It is with gratitude and respect that I acknowledge I work, study, play, and live on the spectacular traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, Kwantlen, Stó:lō, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawassen, and WSÁNEĆ peoples (the area often referred to as the southern coast of British Columbia). I use an electric wheelchair to get around all day, every day. In my free time, I love to read, get outdoors, watch movies, and spend time with my loved ones.
Warmly,
Vanessa Bork, PhD, CCC (#10005878)
