Sarah Tesla, M.A., RCC, CCC
Hi — I’m Sarah. I offer grounded relational therapy for individual adults.
Therapy isn’t just a place to talk about problems — it’s a space to get curious about your inner world. Sometimes early life or particularly painful experiences shape our perceptions of self and the ways we connect with others and the world around us. Other times it’s what’s happening here and now that causes us to take notice and seek new ways of being.
My areas of focus include:
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Getting curious about patterns of thinking, feeling or behaviours and how they manifest in symptoms like anxiety. Addressing what may no longer be working and how to start to change that within yourself and relationships.
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The emotional, cognitive and physical shifts that can shake our identity and often go unaddressed, misunderstood and feel heavy to carry alone.
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Including major life changes, grief, role shifts and the impacts of family systems and culture. The exploration of boundaries and limits when the body and mind feels overwhelmed or burnt out.
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Late-identified adults adjusting to a new understanding of self and seeking tools, resources and coaching to support motivation, emotional regulation and wellbeing.
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I recognize the unique psychological toll of high-stress, high-impact work and offer a supportive space to process trauma, build resilience, and navigate moral injury for first responders, veterans, journalists, and humanitarian workers. I appreciate the cultural nuances and complexities of frontline work, as well as the commitment, motivations, deeply held values, and sacrifices it demands.
Whatever is bringing you to seek support, our work together will be collaborative and grounded in what matters to you. I often use tools you can experiment with between sessions, so you leave with something tangible, not just insight.
If that resonates, I am accepting new clients and welcome the opportunity to connect with you.
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 own messy humanness with more honesty and compassion and to address the impact of social and cultural norms on my experience as a cis-women. That ongoing work continues to inform my practice and the care I offer.
Get to Know Me
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Registered Clinical Counsellor, RCC #26655
BC Association of Clinical CounsellorsCanadian Certified Counsellor, CCC #11261976
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Assoc. -
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Somatic Experiencing
Existentialism
Psychodynamic
Attachment Focused Therapy
Internal Family Systems
My approach is trauma-informed and grounded in feminist, anti-oppressive, and LGBTQ2+ affirming values. -
As an ICBC-approved counsellor, I support clients navigating the emotional and psychological impacts of motor vehicle accidents. If you have an active ICBC claim, counselling sessions may be covered as part of your recovery plan, and I can guide you through the next steps.
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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.
My Schedule & Fees
I am available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays to connect virtually or in person. 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.