COUNSELLING in the comox valley
with elisabeth van assum
foto © elisabeth van assum ~ salish sea, 2025
A Compassionate, liberating Approach to Mental Health
If you’re feeling stuck with modern life, overwhelmed with relationship struggles, unable to keep up with rapid social and technological change, resenting caregiving pressures, and a general sense that something isn’t right, you’re not alone. Many people are seeking counselling to see if they can find liberation from the anxiety, disappointment, and exhaustion that seems pervasive in these uncertain times.
My counselling practice in Comox offers a grounded, honest space to explore what’s happening in your life—emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, and somatically. I offer therapy that is person-centred, feminist, somatic, and systems-informed, supporting you to speak freely without judgment or agenda.
Together, we look closely at the stories, patterns, and histories shaping your experience and your sense of self, so you can better understand your struggles and move toward clarity, agency, and a more sustainable way of living.
If you’re seeking counselling that goes deeper than cheerleading that treats you as a whole person—and helps you see the truth of your burdens with compassion—this is the work we can do together.
original artwork © Dalyn Berryman
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I have known Elisabeth for over 15 years and know her as an individual with integrity, heart, professionalism and commitment. She has dedicated herself to the well-being of others and consistently demonstrated capacity for truly listening to you - exemplified by the focused and thoughtful feedback that she provides. She speaks informed truths - which are not always easy to receive, yet inevitable contribute to a improved understanding of self or context."
Therapy Services in Comox Valley & Online Across BC
Whether you’re navigating a difficult season, healing from past wounds, or wanting to reconnect with yourself, I offer compassionate, person‑centred counselling in the Comox Valley. Sessions are available in-person or securely online across British Columbia, so you can access support in a way that works for you.
Trauma Work
A compassionate, trauma-informed space to explore and process difficult past experiences. Together, we work at a pace that works for you, exploring how you experience your sense of stability and self individually and in community.
Grief Processing
Supportive, non-judgemental therapy for those experiencing loss. Whether recent or long-standing, we honour your grief while gently creating space for meaning-making and acceptance of your grieving process and how it affects you.
Anxiety & Depression
A calm, therapeutic space for individuals struggling with low mood, emotional overwhelm, or persistent worry. We explore root causes while developing strategies to restore balance and wellbeing.
Somatic Exploration
An embodied approach that helps you tune into physical sensations to release stored tension and trauma. Somatic therapy encourages safety, emotional intelligence, and a deeper connection to your body.
Clinical Supervision
A reflective and collaborative space for registered and pre-licensed therapists. Supervision supports your professional growth, ethical clarity, and emotional sustainability in therapeutic practice.
Meet Elisabeth – A Therapist Who Works With you
I bring a grounded, collaborative, and compassionate approach to therapy. My practice is rooted in humanist, somatic, and social justice affirming frameworks, meaning we explore your emotional world with both sensitivity and strength—honouring your identity, your voice, and your lived experience as an individual and in community.
I walk alongside you as you connect into your wisdom and generate insights into your life moving into more coherent and clear minded self-understanding. Whether you're navigating anxiety, burnout, grief, or life transitions, my role is to support and enhance your process.
As a registered clinical counsellor, my training includes trauma-informed care, somatic experiencing, person-centered & feminist therapy. I also work extensively with women, young adults, Gen-Xers, including clients from LGBTQA2+ & marginalised communities, offering an inclusive, non-judgmental space where I listen to you and we explore your struggles in a way that feels authentic and empowering.
Counselling for Women experiencing burnout & exhaustion in the complex roles & burdens of their life
You may be the one everyone turns to—at home, at work, in relationship, or in community—but inside, you feel exhausted, disconnected, or on the edge of burnout. Whether you're a woman carrying the load of caregiving responsibilities, a LGBTQ+ professional navigating high-pressure expectations, or someone in the community seeking a space where you can be wholly yourself due to the emotional and psychological strain of responsibility, this is a place for you.
My clients often come to me feeling overwhelmed, emotionally depleted, or uncertain about their next steps in life. You might be facing a major transition, burdened by conditions you have no control over, experiencing anxiety or self-doubt, or feeling you have no direction and no one is on your side. These feelings are all indication that you need attention and care.
In our work together, I offer a space where you don’t have to explain yourself or minimise your pain. You’ll be met with warmth, respect, and deep listening. We’ll explore the emotional load you carry, how societal expectations may be shaping your experience, and realistically assess how to create and access new and existing, more fulfilling ways of being in the world and community you live in.
“Elisabeth is someone I can trust to bring anti-oppressive values into her practice with clients. I refer clients to her when I want to make sure their diverse experiences and identities will be respected, understood and held with care. A true asset to the Comox Valley.”
clinical experience
I have been in private practice since 2014, first in Vancouver, BC and now in the Comox Valley. Over the past decade, I have predominantly supported young adults and women who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain during major life transitions. My work focuses on helping clients navigate anxiety, burnout, identity shifts, relationship challenges, and the emotional weight that can come with change.
From 2016 to 2019, I worked with UBC Students’ Counselling, supporting students from more than 30 countries. This experience strengthened my ability to work respectfully and effectively with culturally diverse young adults facing complex academic, relational, and mental health challenges.
I currently work as a frontline mental health responder with Emergency Health Services and Critical Incident Response Services in British Columbia, where I support individuals and teams in moments of acute stress and crisis.
education and professional background
I hold a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia, where my graduate work focused on youth transition-to-adulthood issues and women’s later-life fertility and sexuality issues. I also completed a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Women’s Studies at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, researching systemic inequality in Dutch society.
My academic foundation began with an Honours B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Women’s Studies at UBC, where I explored identity narratives within bisexual communities.
Over the years, I have taught as the lead instructor and visiting lecturer for the Certificate in Peer Counselling through UBC Continuing Education, supporting students in developing foundational counselling skills.
I have known Elisabeth for over a decade. She is a thoughtful and compassionate listener. She combines that compassion with an unusually clear eyed intelligence. I admire her commitment to social justice and her active engagement with people of all backgrounds and experiences. She is a person of enormous integrity and is one of the people I trust most in this world. She has been there for me on more occasions than I can count. to hold space for me and validate my reality where others have attempted to deny it. I rarely feel more sane and safe than I do in the prescence of Elisabeth. I’ve made many a personal recommendation for her services and will continue to do so."
Professional Affiliations:
British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)
Ongoing Development and cultural competency
In 2018, I completed the Indigenous Studies certificate through the University of Alberta. This training supports my commitment to cultural humility and my understanding of how being a white settler on Indigenous land shapes the therapeutic relationship. It also deepens my awareness of mental health concerns connected to colonialism, racism, and intergenerational trauma
I regularly engage in advanced clinical supervision, peer consultation, and continuing education. My areas of current focus include intersectional feminism in therapy, somatic integration, and support for LGBTQA2+ and neurodivergent clients.
a Personal Welcome From Elisabeth
Hi, I’m Elisabeth—a Registered Clinical Counsellor based in the Comox Valley and serving clients across British Columbia through virtual therapy.
I work from a feminist, trauma-informed, and somatic perspective, which means I honour your lived experience and help you reconnect with your body, your boundaries, and your sense of self.
I offer support for those navigating grief, anxiety, burnout, or trauma—especially caregivers, professionals, and LGBTQ+ individuals seeking a safe, affirming space to heal.
Therapy with me is collaborative, compassionate, and rooted in deep respect. If you're ready to explore what's been holding you back or weighing you down, I invite you to reach out. You don’t have to do this alone.
Common Questions About Counselling in Comox Valley
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Common Questions About Counselling in Comox Valley *
I offer trauma-informed, culturally humble counselling for women, caregivers, and adults in the Comox Valley who are navigating anxiety, grief, life transitions, identity, and relationship challenges. My practice is rooted in empathy, deep listening, and a commitment to creating a safe, supportive space where you can explore your experiences at your own pace.
If you're considering therapy, it's natural to have questions. Below are answers to some of the most common ones I receive. If you need more clarity, please don’t hesitate to
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Yes. I offer secure, confidential online therapy throughout British Columbia. Whether you're in a rural community or simply prefer the flexibility of remote sessions, you can access individual counselling from anywhere in BC. All you need is a private space and a stable internet connection.
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Feminist therapy recognises that your personal experiences are shaped by broader social, cultural, and political systems. Unlike traditional approaches, it emphasises equality, empowerment, and collaboration. My goal is not to "fix" you, but to work with you—honouring your identity, autonomy, and lived reality.
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Absolutely. I provide compassionate support for those navigating grief, loss, and major life transitions. Whether you're mourning a loved one, adjusting to a new role, or feeling unmoored by change, my practice offers a safe space to explore what you're feeling and find meaning in your journey.
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Many extended health insurance plans cover services provided by a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). Please check with your provider to confirm eligibility. I’m happy to provide receipts for reimbursement after each session.
Ready to Begin? Let’s Talk.
Take the first step towards clarity and well-being today. Whether you’re ready to start therapy or simply have a few questions, I’m here to listen and guide you.
Book a Free Consultation
“My actions are my only true belongings.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh