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Get to know us
Counsellors in BC
Each team member at Wildwood Virtual Therapy Clinic is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), or Registered Social Worker (RSW) in BC with a masters in counselling psychology. Get to know us more below and feel welcome to request a specific counsellor during your matching session.
CLINICAL DIRECTOR, OWNER, THERAPY
Anja Hess, MA, RCC
(Any Pronoun)
REGISTERED SERVICE PROVIDER WITH THE FNHA
Welcome! I am a Queer German-Romany settler living on the breathtaking Lekwungen Territory and I am Clinical Director and founder of Wildwood Therapy. I share my time between supporting my teammates, matching new clients with their dream counsellor, supervising our trainees, and providing individual counselling via video and in person. I like helping folks learn how to process emotions and navigate through experiences like:
Cancer as a Young Adult
Increasing Self-Esteem and Confidence
2SLGBTQIA+ Identity
Trauma, PTSD, cPTSD
Anxious Symptoms & Panic
Depressive Symptoms
Oppression & Bullying
Polyamory and ENM
and more…
I am a naturalist and enjoy playing outside, dancing, laughing hysterically with friends, and looking for adventure. Inclusion and freedom are important to me and I choose to find joy in the small things!
My RCC license number is 18489
LOW-COST THERAPY
Mara Gurr, Student Intern
(She/Her)
Hello! I am grateful to be based in the beautiful, unceded, traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples. I am a Master of Counselling student at the University of Victoria and am excited to be part of the wonderful Wildwood team during my practicum. My low-cost sessions are supervised by our clinical director, Anja Hess, RCC #18489.
I want to support you through life’s challenges while celebrating your uniqueness and growth. I bring my lived experience as a Queer person and an authentic, warm nature to sessions. Some themes I can support include:
Interpersonal Relationships & Attachment
Trauma Recovery Prep
Gender Affirming Care
Anxiety
Depressive Symptoms
Sexuality, Identity and LGBTQIA+ Experiences
Life Transitions & Stress
And more!
My ongoing learning is rooted in Feminist, Anti-Oppressive & Trauma-Informed practice. Let’s collaborate on an approach that works for you!
In my spare time, I am likely cafe-hopping, cooking something elaborate for friends and family, wandering by the ocean, or finding any opportunity to laugh loudly or dance it off!
LOW-COST THERAPY
FULL until September 2024:
Alyx Monteith, Student Intern
(She/Her)
Hello there, I am grateful to live, work, and play on the beautiful ancestral lands of the Lekwungen (Songhees & Esquimalt) peoples in Victoria, B.C. I am currently completing a Masters in Counselling Psychology at the University of Victoria and all of my low-cost sessions are supervised by our clinical director and trainer, Anja Hess, RCC #18489.
I know how difficult it can feel just to be human some days. I am committed to supporting those with big feelings, and seeking support for a range of challenges, including:
Relationships, Attachment, and Boundaries
Trauma Recovery Prep
Mindfulness
Self-Compassion
Anxious Symptoms
Life Transitions
Grief and Loss
Shame and Self-Worth
Sexuality & LGBTQIA+ Experiences
And more!
In my free time I enjoy spending time with loved ones, immersed in nature, exercising, reading, making pottery and on other creative projects. I love to laugh, play, and find humour in life. I am also highly interested in meditation and mindfulness practices. I look forward to meeting you!
THERAPY
Lauren Kniewasser, MA, RCC
REGISTERED SERVICE PROVIDER WITH THE FNHA
Family Counselling, Individual Counselling
(She/Her)
Hey there! I am a white settler from unceded Algonquin territory and am now living on the unceded traditional territory of the Dane-zaa peoples. I am a strong believer in social justice and I work with young folks and families to help reduce suffering from things related to:
Trauma
Intergenerational Trauma
Systemic Oppression & Bullying
Addiction and Substance Use
Family & Relationship Conflict
2SLGBTQIA+ Experiences
Attachment Wounds
Anxious & Depressive Symptoms
Identity & Self Worth
And whatever you feel you need support with!
I love nature and outdoor sports, expressing myself through art, and laughing with friends. Humour and playing help me feel alive and most like myself. Nicknames include: The Giraffe (I am very tall) and Loz (because I am so funny)!
My RCC license number is 18441
THERAPY
Erin Suerink, MA, RCC, CCC
(She/Her)
I AM A REGISTERED FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY SERVICE PROVIDER
Hi! I am currently living, playing, and working on the ancestral territory of the K'ómoks First Nation. I received my masters in counselling from the University of Victoria and I work with folks who are struggling with any of the following:
Relationships, ENM
Parenting
Anxiety & Depression
Substance Use & Addiction
Trauma including Childhood Trauma
2SLGBTQIA+ Experiences
Disordered Eating & Body Image
Life Transitions
Family Violence
Gender Identity & Sexuality
Thoughts About Suicide
Identity & Self Worth
I enjoy spending time with my partner and my cat, Biscuit. I enjoy hiking, camping, walking, and basically spending time outdoors, but I also like curling up with a cup of tea.
My RCC license number is 19326
My CCC license number is 10004155
THERAPY
Jess Urchyshyn, MA, RCC
(She/Her)
REGISTERED SERVICE PROVIDER WITH THE FNHA
Hello! I am a settler on the unceded and ancestral territories of Ktunaxa, Syilx, and Sinixt First Nations and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and EMDRIA certified. I have a degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and I have spent my time supporting folks to understand how their early life experiences can impact how they show up in the world. Together, we can talk about:
EMDR
Sexualized Violence
Anxiety & Depression
Trauma, PTSD, c-PTSD
Relationships
Attachment
Boundaries
Self-Compassion
2SLGBTQIA+ Experiences
Grief & Complicated Grief
ENM
And more
I love to be outside in the woods. I enjoy hiking, yoga, and spending time with family and friends. In my spare time I bake muffins, cookies, breads, crisps, and pies… I’m the baker and my husband is the cook!
My RCC license number is 18614
ACTING CLINICAL DIRECTOR & THERAPY
Kandice Simons (Peterson), MA, RCC
(They/Them)
Hello! I'm a 5th generation uninvited visitor on the ancestral territories of the Lekwungen-speaking people, W̱SÁNEĆ, and Esquimalt First Nations. I received my MA in Counselling Psychology from the University of Victoria and I focus on working with clients who are struggling with:
Grief and Loss
Complicated or Traumatic Grief
Trauma
LGBTQIA+ Experiences
Anxiety
Depression
Relationships, Polyamory, ENM
and more…
When I'm not working, I am spending all my time with my dogs running, hiking, swimming, and exploring this beautiful island. Alongside my partner, I love socializing with our friends, family members, and playing all the board games.
My RCC license number is 18499
THERAPY
Jordan Mounteer, MA, RCC (accepting new clients by special request)
(He/Him)
Hi! I am a settler on the unceded and ancestral territories of Ktunaxa, Syilx, and Sinixt First Nations and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor. I support clients who want help navigating issues like:
Depression
Anxiety and Panic
Trauma
Existential Issues
LGBTQIA+ Experiences
Suicidal Thoughts and Self-Harm
Addiction
Interpersonal Difficulties
and more…
If I’m not counselling, I’m hiking, canoeing, and camping in the Kootenays. I am a gardener and poet — and I enjoy many crafts including knife-making, painting, and wood-block printing.
My RCC license number is 18426
CLIENT COORDINATOR & GROUPS
Desiree Mirosevic, DCYC
(She/They)
Desiree is a mom of two plus one in her busy blended family of five. She loves the outdoors and can be found hiking, skiing, and biking with her partner, their rugrats and their quirky fur-baby Boomer. Desiree is grateful to live in the East Kootenays which is located within the Ktunaxa Nation’s territory.
Desiree supports our programming and works closely with Anja to make sure we are serving you in the ways you need! If you reach out to our office, you might just hear from Desiree.
THERAPY
Kate Odgers, MSW, RSW
(She/They)
Hello! I am happy you’re here. As an Australian, I respectfully acknowledge the traditional Biripi territory that I was born on and I’m now appreciating the territory of the Sylix people. I am a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and I believe in equitable care for all. I have a strong passion for social justice, activism and making meaningful change. I value making connections, building community, and exploring experiences to find meaning and purpose. I am honoured to have worked with children, youth, families and adults seeking support around:
2SLGBTQIA+ Identity and Experiences
Systems of Oppression
Healthy Relationships and Communication
Sexualized Violence
Anxiety and Depression
Disordered Eating
Self Esteem
Grief and Loss
Suicidal Thoughts and Self-Harm
In my spare time you’ll find me in at least one item of rainbow clothing, chasing after my fluffy husky, yelling at the Celtics to sink a 3, and exploring the Okanagan valley. I’m terrified of spiders - Aussie ones are massive!
My RSW license number is 15474
PRIVACY & SECURITY
Xena
(She/Her)
We don’t mind that Xena isn’t great at crunching numbers or staying awake on the job because as an intersectional feminist, her presence is enough to boost office morale.
Kandice and Xena rescued each other in the summer of 2020 and together, they bring joy and compassion to everyone they meet. If you get matched with Kandice, you might even get to catch a glimpse of this sweet lady and her little brother, Zeppelin, during a session.