Lauren heckley
registered clinical counsellor
ABOUT me
Let me tell you about:
Lauren
Hi, I'm Lauren. Welcome to my website, I'm excited to tell you a bit about myself.
I want to begin by saying that I am a mother, a partner, a sister, a daughter and a friend. I particularly love mountain tops and cozy backcountry cabins. I am obsessed with my dog, my regular yoga practice and intentional living. And, I absolutely love my job - let me tell you more about that...
Sport have always been a major part of my life. So much so that I completed my undergraduate degree with a double major in psychology and kinesiology, specializing in sport psychology. Back then I was obsessed with flow-state theory and team dynamics. I have worked quite a bit in sports, I was the head coach for cross-country skiing and flatwater kayaking and canoeing teams for many years, and done performance enhancement work for Canoe Kayak BC with their Canada Games teams.
I entered my master's degree with the intention of doing sport psychology, but quickly became captivated with the complexities of mental health. Initially, I had feared that mental health counselling would be discouraging work, but I quickly learnt that it is quite the opposite. Mental health counselling can be deeply empowering. I have cried tears of joy with my clients more than I had my entire life prior to becoming a counsellor. I quickly realized that I felt honored to be trusted so whole-heartedly by my clients, to witness the beautifully human lives they lived, and to be unwaveringly supportive as we navigate their challenges together. So, as I said before, one of the important things to know about me is that I truly love my job.
Let me tell you about:
my practice
You're likely considering me as a counsellor if you've found yourself here. Here is what I would like you to know about me and my practice. If you came to my office I would welcome you to a warm and quiet space, a comfy orange couch with pillows and blankets awaits you. From my office window facing down the lake, you can spot Kokanee Park on the skyline. I hope you feel truly welcomed in my space, I hope you sense my intrigue, my positive regard, my attention is totally present. How it feels to sit in my office with me matters, I want you to feel comfortable.
Specializations:
I love working with a wide-range of clients, but naturally I have to admit that there are areas where another therapist could be a better fit; it is impossible to be an expert in everything. By acknowledging a specialization I believe I am respecting the other counsellors in my community; there is strength in our range of therapeutic offerings.
I like to think of performance as a broad term, multifaceted, that ranges from high risk occupations to important moments in our everyday lives. Any scenario where there is little room for error, and you're expected to demonstrate a skill competently is considered a performance. That being said, I have a particular sweet spot for athletes and athletic occupations. Athletes have as complex lives as the rest of us, and their personal lives find their way to their game. I love talking about how to keep our lives off the court, navigating complex team dynamics, and emotional regulation challenges. I want to attend meets with my athletes and talk them through pre-performance jitters. I want to imagine being on the field, atop a snowy run, or facing off for a puck.
Education, Memberships and Trainings:
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Specialization in Sport Psychology, Laurentian University (2015)
- Master of Counselling in Counselling Psychology, Athabasca University (2020)
- BCACC Member #18245 (2020)
- Certified Mental Performance Consultant (Applicant) (2025)
- MBSR 8-Week Mindfulness Certificate Course (2023)
My Space
Directions:
I am in room 203b, at 518 Lake St, in the Community First Health Co-op.
-
Upon entering the front door of the Community First Health Co-op, proceed to the second floor and turn left. There are signs that will point you in the right direction for office 203. You'll reach a seating area near the end of the hallway (beside a green wall and a sign by the door 203B that has my name on it), and please wait there until I open the door.