Mental Health Counselling in Maple Ridge
You’ve been carrying more than people realize and it’s starting to take a toll.
Maybe your mind feels loud, heavy, or scattered. Maybe you’re overwhelmed, exhausted, or stuck in patterns you can’t seem to change. Maybe you’re functioning on the outside while quietly struggling on the inside.
You don’t need a diagnosis or a crisis to seek support. You only need to notice that something isn’t working the way it used to and that you’re ready for things to feel different.
At Ignite Counselling in Maple Ridge, we offer evidence‑informed mental health counselling grounded in CBT therapy, DBT therapy, PTSD & CPTSD therapy, anxiety counselling, grief & depression counselling, and burnout & stress recovery.
Who Our Counselling Services Support
You Might Be in the Right Place
Mental health challenges often show up quietly:
A mind that won’t slow down
Overthinking, worry loops, intrusive thoughts
Emotional heaviness or numbness
Burnout from work, caregiving, or chronic stress
Difficulty regulating emotions
Feeling disconnected from yourself or others
Patterns you understand but can’t change
Exhaustion from holding everything together
Whatever you’re carrying, it makes sense. Mental health symptoms are human responses to pressure, fear, stress, loss, or simply too much for too long.
If this feels familiar, counselling can help.
Shawna is a gifted counselor that has supported my family over a wide range of needs over the years. She has a wide spectrum of experience and specializations, and can relate to anyone. Working with her will be one of the best things you will ever do for yourself. With sincere gratitude, I highly, highly recommend her practice.
How Counselling Helps You Feel More Grounded
Three Pillars — Each Essential, Each Supporting the Others
1. Understanding Your Patterns — With Clarity and Compassion
Counselling starts by helping you understand what’s happening inside you. The thoughts that spiral, the emotions that feel too strong or too distant, and the nervous system responses that shape how you cope. When you can see your patterns clearly and without judgment, things begin to make sense in a way they haven’t before.
2. Reducing Distressing Symptoms
With that understanding, we work directly on the symptoms that make daily life harder. Using evidence‑informed approaches like CBT and DBT, counselling helps you interrupt unhelpful thinking, regulate emotions, and ease anxiety, depression, burnout, or overwhelm so you can feel more grounded day‑to‑day.
3. Rebuilding Capacity, Resilience, and Emotional Stability
As symptoms ease, we focus on strengthening your internal capacity. Your ability to cope, stay regulated, and feel steady even when life gets stressful. This is where long‑term resilience grows and things begin to feel different in a lasting way.
I have been working with Shawna for years now and I found her at a time of crisis in my life where I needed a lot of help. Over the years, she has provided me with many tools to assist me in becoming a healthier person, improving my personal as well as professional life. I appreciate her warmth and knowledge, including her ability to challenge as well as to highlight the areas of growth and change that she observes. She is able to explain situations and responses to me in a way that is easy to connect with. I highly recommend Ignite Counselling.
Evidence‑Informed Therapies We Use
Therapy That Works With Your Whole Self — Mind, Emotions, and Nervous System
We use a blend of evidence‑based therapies designed to help you understand your patterns, reduce symptoms, and build long‑term emotional resilience.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Shift unhelpful thought patterns and build practical coping tools.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Strengthen emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and coping skills.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)
Support your nervous system, process trauma gently, and reconnect with yourself.
Anxiety Counselling
Reduce worry, panic, overthinking, and nervous system activation.
Grief & Depression Counselling
Navigate heaviness, numbness, hopelessness, and emotional disconnection.
Burnout & Stress Counselling
Recover from exhaustion, overwhelm, and emotional depletion.
IS MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELLING RIGHT FOR YOU?
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unlike yourself, mental health counselling can help you understand what’s going on and begin moving toward something steadier.
Anxiety Symptoms
Racing thoughts, panic, worry loops, intrusive thoughts.
Depression Symptoms
Low motivation, sadness, numbness, heaviness.
Burnout & Stress
Exhaustion, irritability, overwhelm, emotional fatigue.
Emotional Dysregulation
Feeling too much, too fast or not feeling much at all.
Persistent Patterns
Avoidance, overthinking, people‑pleasing, perfectionism.
Feeling Stuck or Lost
A sense that something needs to change.
I’ve worked with other therapists before, but my experience with Shawna has been different in the best way. She remembers the little details, asks thoughtful questions, and makes every session feel productive. I can honestly say she’s helped me make lasting changes in my life.
WHAT HEALING CAN LOOK LIKE
Mental Health Counselling Rooted in Clarity, Skills, and Nervous System Support
More calm, less overwhelm
Kinder, clearer thoughts
Emotions that feel manageable
Motivation returning
More presence, more connection
Feeling like yourself again
WHAT WORKING TOGETHER LOOKS LIKE
Three Simple Steps Toward Something Different
Reach Out
Share as much or as little as you want. We’ll match you with the right therapist.
Your First Session
Gentle questions, careful listening, no pressure to share everything at once.
Ongoing Support
We follow your nervous system’s pace and never faster than you’re ready.
FAQs
Do I need a diagnosis to start mental health counselling?
No. You don’t need a diagnosis, referral, or formal label. If something feels off, overwhelming, confusing, or heavier than usual, counselling is a supportive place to begin.
What does a mental health counselling session feel like?
Sessions are collaborative, grounding, and focused on what you’re experiencing right now. You can expect gentle questions, practical tools, and space to explore your thoughts and emotions at a pace that feels comfortable.
Will I have to talk about everything that’s going on?
No. You decide what you share and when. We won’t push you to talk about anything before you’re ready. Many clients start with what feels manageable and build from there.
How long does mental health counselling take?
Some people notice meaningful shifts within a few weeks; others benefit from longer‑term support. The pace depends on your goals, your symptoms, and what feels right for you.
What’s the difference between CBT and DBT?
What’s the difference between PTSD and CPTSD?
PTSD often develops after a single traumatic event or a short period of overwhelming stress. CPTSD develops from long‑term or repeated trauma, especially when escape or protection was not possible.
People with CPTSD may experience the core symptoms of PTSD, along with additional patterns such as chronic shame, difficulty trusting others, emotional overwhelm, or feeling disconnected from their sense of identity.
Both PTSD and CPTSD are treatable, and therapy can help you understand your nervous system responses, rebuild safety, and develop tools that support healing.
Can counselling help with both anxiety and depression?
Yes. Many people experience symptoms of both. Counselling can help you understand how they interact, reduce distressing symptoms, and build tools to feel more grounded and capable.
Is virtual counselling as effective as in‑person sessions?
Yes. Virtual counselling is equally effective and can be especially supportive if you prefer the comfort of your own space or need flexible scheduling.
Is mental health counselling covered by insurance?
Many extended health plans in BC cover Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) and Registered Clinical Social Workers (RCSW). We provide receipts for reimbursement.
What if I’m nervous or unsure about starting?
That’s completely normal. You don’t need certainty to reach out, just curiosity about whether things could feel different. We’ll take it one step at a time, together.
