Who am I?

Sarah Tesla is a counsellor and psychotherapist based in Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast.

I’ve been a professional listener for more than twenty years — first as a writer and documentarian, and now as a therapist. I’m a Gen-Xer, an auntie and my family roots hail from Eastern European immigrants.

A significant part of my own path has been learning to meet my messy humanness with more honesty and compassion. That ongoing work continues to inform my practice and the care I offer.

I hold a Master’s in Counselling and have training in several therapeutic modalities; see below for more details.

If you’re getting a sense of who I am and how I work, you’re welcome to book a free consult to see if we’re a good fit.

  • In 2024, I began working part-time as a counsellor with the Mental Health and Substance Use team at Sechelt Hospital. I also do community outreach with the Intensive Case Management Team. It’s complex and deeply rewarding work that continues to strengthen my clinical skills and understanding of community mental health.

  • It’s a privilege to bring my journalism background into my work in mental health. My years reporting in Canada and across the Middle East and North Africa continue to shape how I listen and understand people’s stories. I write a monthly column for the Coast Reporter called On Mental Health and contribute photography to The Globe and Mail.

  • Registered Clinical Counsellor, RCC #26655
    BC Association of Clinical Counsellors

    Canadian Certified Counsellor, CCC #11261976
    Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Assoc.

Logo of the Canadian Certified Counselor, featuring red maple leaves and profile silhouettes of a man and woman, with black and white circular borders and text.
Logo of the British Association of Clinical Counsellors featuring a silhouette of a tree and the initials RCC.

Specialized Education & Training:

Motivational Interviewing for Addictions
Psychwire | 10 CE Credits, March - July 2025

City University
| Vancouver, BC
Master of Counselling, 2022-2025

Working with First Responders | Vancouver, BC
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, Nov 2024

Trauma Research Foundation |
Boston, MA
Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate Program, 2021-2023

Simon Fraser University | Vancouver, BC    
Master of Arts, International Studies, 2018-2021

The University of British Columbia |
Vancouver, BC
Trauma-Informed Practice Training Level 1, 2019

Institute of Trauma-Informed Media | Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
Trauma-Informed Media Practices Training, 2018

The University of British Columbia | Vancouver, BC
Certificate of International Development, 2018

My Schedule & Fees

I am available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays to connect in person in Gibsons, walk and talk, or virtually. For remote clients I am happy to accommodate various timezones.

Sessions are 50 mins | $150

Therapy is often covered by insurance plans. If you have benefits, I recommend checking to see if your plan includes Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) or Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). You can submit receipts to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Book a Consult