About Me

My roots

I grew up in the inner city of Toronto and began my work there counselling and facilitating groups for women of all ages and backgrounds who were struggling with chemical dependencies and food/body images issues. After obtaining my Bachelor of Social Work at Ryerson in 1996 at the age of 25, I moved to British Columbia and continued my work as a therapist. In 1998, I obtained my Masters in Social Work from UBC. My graduating research on Jewish Women and Body Image was published in the Journal of Collaborative Therapies shortly thereafter.

For over a decade, I have worked as a therapist and group facilitator with individuals and families for social service agencies and in private practise while also completing an intense 2-year training program in Multigenerational Family Systems Therapy at Pacific Coast Family Institute in Vancouver.

	I came to see you because I wanted to break my habit of marrying alcoholic, abusive men and to learn how to be happy on my own as well as within a healthy relationship someday. You helped me understand how my past traumas were contributing to my current relationship problems. With your help, I was able to resolve some significant past traumas, which has given me a lot of peace. Also, you helped me let go of unhealthy relationship patterns through working through family-of-origin issues and now I know that I can choose to do things differently in relationships in the future. I look forward to rewarding and satisfying relationships in the future!

Who I am Today

When I was in my early 30s, my husband and I moved to Courtenay on Vancouver Island in the fall of 2003 to live a simpler life where we could connect more easily with nature, community, and feel more relaxed. We love the lifestyle here, as well as the people, and are thrilled to call the Comox Valley our home. I am very fond of cooking vegan delights, practising yoga and meditation, belly-dancing, reading, and gardening. I am blessed to have a fantastic marriage, wonderful friends, and a loving and supportive family.

I have also experienced several major life challenges and have come out the other side a deeper, mature, and more loving person. I truly believe that I cannot help people unless I’ve done my own personal work and continue to on a daily basis. I am a living example that psychotherapy works and is an invaluable tool for human growth, healing, and self-acceptance.

I am member in good standing of the B.C. Clinical Counsellors Association and have met all of the requirements of this professional body to have been given the designation of Registered Clinical Counsellor.

To book a session or to set up a FREE 15-minute phone consultation, call me at 250.338.1800 or email me. Evening appointments available.

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Esther's office is located in Courtenay (Comox Valley), BC. She provides in-person psychotherapy services for the following communities on Vancouver Island: Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, Cumberland, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Tofino, Port Alberni, and Powell River, British Columbia. She also offers telephone and online video counselling for clients all across Canada including: Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Montreal, Ottawa and many other towns and cities.