Meet Alisha, BEd,
Counselling Intern
Areas of Specialty:
• Neuro-Affirming Practice
• Parenting & Family Support
• Adolescent Development (Ages 10+)
• Career Burnout & Work-Life Balance
• Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Management
• Self-Care, Boundaries, and Self-Esteem
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Support
Favourite Quote:
"The act of revealing oneself fully to another and still being accepted may be the major vehicle of therapeutic help."
-Irvin D. Yalom
I like this quote as it emphasizes the importance of acceptance and unconditional positive regard with
clients and how that is therapeutic in itself. We all have a need to feel accepted despite our deepest-self
perceived flaws and being seen, and then still accepted, is a powerful tool.
Hello! My name is Alisha, and I am excited to join Balance Psychology as a counselling intern, completing my Master's in Counselling and Psychology under the supervision of Samantha Dover.
For 17 years as a dedicated teacher, I had the privilege of supporting diverse students, focusing much of my career on Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, as well as those who are neuro-diverse. This deep experience, particularly with children and their families, is what guided me to expand my expertise into counselling. I wanted to move beyond the classroom to offer intentional mental health support, allowing me to build deeper connections with individuals and families.
As a parent of neuro-diverse children, I share a profound and genuine understanding of the joys and challenges families face, including navigating behaviour, self-regulation, self-care, and mental health. Similarly, my years in education give me a firsthand appreciation for the complexities of career burnout, work-life balance, and anxiety.
My approach is fundamentally person-centred, meaning our work will be deeply collaborative and focused on your unique needs. I integrate practical tools from therapies like DBT, ACT, and CBT, always ensuring we proceed with a trauma-informed lens.
I am here for you, you are safe! You can bring your whole self, whether you need to laugh, cry, express frustration, or sit in silence. I will be your supportive co-pilot on this journey. You are in the driver's seat, and I'm here to offer the map and the tools to help you develop meaningful goals, navigate challenges, and ultimately feel successful and empowered in all aspects of your life.