Meet Shivani

Founder & Registered Clinical Counsellor

(Shivani's pronouns are: she/her)

 

Shivani believes that her clients are inherently resilient and that their symptoms are adaptive responses to trauma rather than indications of brokenness or deficiency. She has a passion for helping her clients reclaim their sense of wholeness and embodied aliveness after trauma. 

 

Shivani's approach integrates EMDR therapy, Somatic Experiencing, and Inner Child Reparenting.

 

Inner Child Reparenting is Shivani's way of integrating the Theory of Structural Dissociation, Ego-State Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and EMDR to identify wounded and protective parts of the self, to make sense of triggers and reactions, to repair attachment wounds, and to facilitate inner harmony and collaboration. 

 

As a white, cis-gendered, heterosexual, able-bodied woman, Shivani acknowledges the importance of engaging in ongoing personal and professional learning/unlearning in order to work from a feminist, LGBTQ+ affirmative, and anti-racist approach. She strives to create a brave therapeutic space where all people feel welcome, respected, and seen. 

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Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, Shivani was in private practice as a trauma-informed, mindfulness-based yoga therapist, and yoga and meditation teacher for 11 years.

 

Shivani is deeply honoured to walk alongside her clients, to hold their stories, and to witness their growth and healing. 

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Shivani is a registered provider with the Crime Victims Assistance Program (CVAP) and ICBC. 

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Education & Training: 

  •  Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (#17248)

  • MA in Counselling Psychology - Yorkville University

  • BA in Psychology - University of British Columbia

  • Research on post-concussion syndrome with UBC Psychiatry

  • Internship at Avalon Women's Recovery Society, North Vancouver

  • Comprehensive EMDR training and consultation with Jasmine Alexander

  • EMDR Defense and Affect Restructuring with Andrew Leeds 

  • Treating Dissociative Disorders with EMDR: The Progressive Approach; EMDR Therapy for Suicidal Clients and Self-harming Behaviors; Hostile Parts of the Personality in Complex Trauma with Dolores Mosquera

  • DeprEnd: EMDR for Depression with Arne Hofmann & Maria Lehnung

  • Integrated Treatment of Chronic Pain and Chronic Health Conditions: EMDR and Nervous System-Driven Skills with Gary Brothers

  • Decolonizing 101 with Ta7taliya Michelle Nahanee & Jacqueline Jennings 

  • Integrating the Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation into EMDR Clinical Practice with D. Michael Coy  

  • Advanced Equity Skills for Clinicians: Anti-Racist, Trauma-Informed Care with Rebecca Davis and Shea Lowery

  • Somatic Experiencing® (Intermediate level)

  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills, Crisis Centre Vancouver

  • Continuing education on trauma, somatics, and Polyvagal Theory through NICABM with Dr. van der Kolk, Porges, Ogden, Siegel, etc. 

  • Spiritual Activism 101 & 102 (Racial Justice) with Rachel Ricketts

  • LGBTQ+ Competency for Therapists with Rachel Harlich

  • Brainspotting, Phase 1 with David Grand

  • Movement for Trauma, Level 1 with Jane Clapp

  • Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training with Yoga Outreach

  • Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist & former faculty member

  

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