Maria Stahre
REGISTERED CLINICAL COUNSELLOR
Finding a therapist and starting counselling can feel both overwhelming and intimidating, so I commend you for taking these steps towards accessing support and learning more about yourself. Change can be a difficult process, but I believe that each small positive change we make extends to other aspects of our lives. My goal as your therapist is to empower you to take steps towards a more fulfilling life that honours your values and goals. On our journey together we will explore your thoughts, feelings, and identity at a pace that provides a sense of comfort and safety. Together I hope to build an environment with you that is grounded in trust, authenticity, and hope. I am a human before I am a counsellor, and I will always show up as my genuine self and I encourage you to do the same. As humans I believe that we have an inherent desire to feel understood and that our thoughts and feelings are valid. I aim to help you regard yourself with more compassion and your strengths with more pride. We are often much more resilient than we give ourselves credit for.
Drawing on a background of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and Emotion Focused Therapy, I utilize a client-centered approach to counselling that is trauma-informed, and strengths based, to create a therapeutic approach that is appropriate for each client’s unique needs and goals. My approach also integrates neurobiology and somatic mindfulness approaches as exploring the connections between our mind and body are crucial to understanding our emotions and developing tools to cope with difficult thoughts and emotions.
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association for Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. I have worked with children as an after-school care educator and special needs support person, and more recently I have been
working in higher education as a researcher and teaching assistant.
Areas of Focus
Anxiety
Relationships
Depression
Life transitions & personal growth
Identity exploration
Grief
Communication & Boundary Setting
Self-esteem & Body image
*Maria is LGBTQ+ Allied
Trainings
20 Skills to Work with Emotion in Psychotherapy with Dr. Leslie Greenberg
Introduction to AEDP
Mindful and Compassionate Treatment of People with Eating Disorders
Personal Vibe
In her spare time, Maria enjoys scouring used bookstores and thrift stores, dreaming about her
next travel destination, and exploring cafes with friends to find the best coffee and pastries in the
city.