Vanya Laporte

COUNSELLING

Supported Self Discovery

Mindfulness-based Counselling

Working together with the client, within a compassionate and mindful approach, Vanya gently invites healing to the mind, body, and emotions, towards wholeness and making meaningful connections.

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Nature-based Counselling

Nature-based counselling can greatly inspire people to meet parts of themselves they have forgotten, to rekindle a deeper understanding of one’s place in the web of life, and to heal from past wounds that have caused a disconnection from oneself, others, or the natural world.

*An alternative option for children (ages 6 and up), youth and families who may have exhausted the traditional office services and are looking for an approach that will meet their needs while supporting their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health through deep nature connection.

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Somatic Therapy

Vanya is certified as a Hakomi Practitioner and is Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed.

With IFS as a framework, people can gain a remarkable depth of healing, and with it a lasting sense of peace and coherence. Vanya guides clients to get to know their different internal parts, to help release the burdens that have been limiting, and to deepen their connection with the Self.

The Hakomi Method is a mindfulness-based, somatic form of therapy in which the practitioner assists the client to discover and embrace their human vulnerability and their own inherent potential to heal. Using Hakomi, Vanya creates a supportive relationship with the client so they can explore their beliefs and gain a better understanding of who they are and what they need at a deeper, meaningful level.

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Hello! I’m Vanya

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Director of Thriving Roots Counselling Services

I am committed to honouring the unique qualities of each individual and helping them discover their own innate resources for well-being. Whether you are healing from a trauma, anxious about this stage in your life, or adapting to a changing world, we can work together to help you cultivate a more meaningful life and develop skills to navigate challenges.

I have been honoured to witness the healing journeys of many people who have been rediscovering their own gifts and resilience with my support. Internal Family Systems (IFS) and the Hakomi Method, forms of mindful, somatic psychotherapy has given me the tools to assist people in discovering their strengths, process their grief, and then move into the inspiring and supported life they are longing for. Deep nature connection work has allowed me to go from being a “tourist in the forest” to a mentor that guides others to cultivate a deep understanding and meaningful relationship with themselves, others, and the natural world.

I have worked with kids and families for over 15 years facilitating outdoor nature programs. Nature Based Therapy is a great option for children, families, and adults to get support with their challenges while rebuilding their deep connection to the natural world, self and others through the healing benefits of play, sensory experiences, metaphors with the land, and learning naturalist or ancestral skills.

My Story

"Vanya has the kind of presence where she invites deep relaxation and peace. Such a deeply compassionate soul! And I really like how she leaves space and openness. Thank you for your care."

Mother and Yoga Teacher, Age 31

"I am amazed by how much I have grown since our first session, shifting my perspective to one of openness, curiosity, compassion. You've helped me to discover gifts that I am very grateful for, and I recognize that these have been within me all along."

Writer, Age 47

"Thank you for being a supportive guide as I discovered parts of myself that had been hiding for too long. I am forever grateful for your support."

Teacher, Age 39

"Thanks Vanya, our sessions have helped me to find purpose and to get a better understanding for who I am and my own creative potential. Hakomi is a wonderful therapy!"

Student, Age 26

Book Online HERE

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12505309898

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vanya(at)thrivingroots.org

Mindfulness-based Counselling

Vanya gently invites healing to the mind, body, and emotions, towards wholeness and meaningful connections for her clients, using a mindful and compassionate approach. Mindfulness is a state that allows a person to gain awareness about their present moment experience such as thoughts, feelings, or body-centered sensations. Mindfulness is a quality we all possess and can learn to cultivate and strengthen with practise leading to more balanced emotions, a deeper understanding, and more freedom to choose the life you want to lead.

Nature-based Counselling

Vanya meets clients outdoors to walk, explore, and to sit at one of our local nature trails, parks or beaches for nature-based counselling sessions. Prior to your first outdoor session you will have an office or telehealth session to discuss your needs, goals, and an intake process to determine if nature-based counselling is suitable. Nature-based counselling is a form of experiential therapy that helps integrate the client’s relationship with the natural world with counselling interventions to enhance the client’s growth and development.

Vanya specializes in Nature Based Therapy to meet the needs of children (ages 6 and up), youth, and families who are seeking an alternative approach to mental health services.

Nature Based Therapy can help support clients with:

Stress, anxiety and depression
Trauma
Family conflict and parenting support
ADHD
Grief and Loss
Emotional regulation
Challenges with social skills
Life transitions and personal growth
Creating and healing with Ceremony
Reconnecting with the natural world

Vanya conducts nature-based counselling sessions outdoors with adults, children (ages 6 and up), youth, and with families at inspiring, accessible places outside of Victoria, BC *Mainly the Saanich Penninsula/Highlands.

Vanya incorporates mindfulness and sensory awareness practices and somatic practises into the nature-based counselling sessions which support clients to reestablish deep nature connections that can greatly benefit all areas of their life. Nature-based counselling can greatly inspire people to meet parts of themselves they have forgotten, to rekindle a deeper understanding of one’s place in the web of life, and to heal from past wounds that have caused a disconnection to self, others, or the natural world. Vanya has run her own nature program for kids and has worked with families and adults outdoors facilitating deep nature connection for over 15 years.

The Hakomi Method

The Hakomi Method is a mindfulness-based, somatic form of therapy where the practitioner assists the client to discover and embrace their human vulnerability and their own inherent potential to heal. It can bring normally inaccessible mental processes into consciousness gently and efficiently. We all have beliefs about what is real and valuable to us and we act on these beliefs often without questioning them or even knowing what they are. Some of our habits are no longer useful and may even be causing suffering. In order to change our habits and lessen our suffering we need to understand our habits and then to try something different within a safe and caring environment.

Using Hakomi, Vanya creates a supportive relationship with the client so they can explore their beliefs and gain a better understanding of who they are at a deeper level. Vanya and the client then work together in creative, mindful ways to find new, inspiring ways of living, based on more realistic beliefs, that lead to more nourishing life experiences.