More about me
My name is Kamilla (she/her), an RCC based in Vancouver, BC. I am a cis woman and an immigrant from Brazil, living in Canada for the past eleven years with my husband and our very fluffy cat.
I hold degrees in Nursing and Psychology, as well as a Master's in Counselling. My training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing informs my practice. I have supported individuals from diverse backgrounds and ages as they've worked through anxiety, mood disorders, substance use, eating disorders, body image, shame, and neurodivergence.
I often see clients struggling with harsh self-criticism that dominates their inner voice. While it can be painful to see, it is also special to be part of their journey of change. Watching someone grow, gain new understanding, and begin to treat themselves with more kindness, that feeling never gets old.
My approach is shaped not only by my academic and professional background, but by my lived experience as a woman, an immigrant, and someone living with Essential Tremor. Counselling has taught me the ongoing practice of self-compassion and acceptance, lessons I carry into every therapeutic relationship. This is a journey I am still on, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
About Counselling
You may have seen a therapist before, or this may be your first time. Either way, counselling is a space just for you. It’s a place where you can talk openly about what’s been weighing on you, without judgment.
-
The counselling relationship is unlike most relationships you have experienced, and that is precisely what makes it so unique. In the beginning, it is natural for things to feel a little awkward. You and your counsellor are finding a rhythm and building the kind of trust that makes meaningful work possible. This takes time, and that is okay. For this reason, attending at least three sessions before deciding whether the relationship feels right is encouraged; connection rarely happens all at once.
You may notice that the relationship feels one-sided at times; you will share openly about your life and experiences, while your counsellor shares very little about their own. This is intentional. Those boundaries exist not to create distance, but to keep the focus exactly where it belongs: on you.
-
Be yourself! This is a safe, judgment-free space for you to show up as your unique self. Genuineness allows for better understanding and healing
Active participant: engaging honestly in sessions, sharing thoughts, feelings, and experiences even when uncomfortable; establishes the goals of therapy
Self-exploration: being willing to examine patterns, beliefs, and behaviours, including ones that may be difficult to face
Co-collaborator: change emerges from this collaboration, not from anything the counsellor does to or for the client alone.
Commitment: attending sessions consistently and, where appropriate, applying insights between sessions
-
Creates a safe space: establishing an environment of trust, warmth, and non-judgment
Reflector: mirroring back what they observe, patterns, contradictions, emotions the client may not be fully aware of, helping the client see themselves more clearly.
Empathy: striving to understand the client's world from their perspective, not imposing their own
Co-collaborator: collaboratively identifying what the client needs and structuring a pathway toward goals and healing
Self-awareness: recognising anything that could interfere with care
-
Possible Risks: counselling can sometimes feel uncomfortable. Talking about personal experiences may bring up strong emotions or memories you haven’t thought about in a long time. You might also become more aware of patterns or relationships that are challenging to face. These reactions are normal, and we’ll move at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Benefits: Counselling is different from talking with friends or family. While loved ones care about you, therapy gives you a neutral, supportive space to explore your thoughts, feelings, relationships, and patterns that may be causing stress or pain in your life. Counselling can also be especially helpful during challenging times or moments of crisis.
