Natalie Maxson
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) , MACP
Penticton | Virtual
Hi I am Natalie
Are you feeling overwhelmed, isolated, numb, lonely?
Do you ever feel like it is hard to be understood, do things you once enjoyed, speak honestly with those closest to you, tend to your well being?
………….Does this sound like you?
Many of the people I work with are navigating difficult relationships with partners, children, parents, peers and school/work. I work with many neurodivergent youth and adults, LGBTQ+ folks, those who are no longer aligned with the religious tradition they grew up in and people who are sorting through the impacts of systemic oppression.
Does this resonate?
Does this sound familiar to you?
What its like to work with me
I am an introspective, deep thinker. The counselling process and our time together is something that I revere and respect.
Some things I might ask you during our time together: Where did you grow up? What would you like me to call you? Would you like a fidget during our session? How are you feeling about being here? Is there anything about me you would like to know? Some people know exactly what they want to talk about and desire the space to fully express themselves. It is quite common for other people to say, “I don’t know where to begin” or “I’m not entirely sure why I am here.” I am happy to ask questions and guide our time more or sit with you insolence depending on what will feel supportive. Some people ask me directly: I need help with (insert idea here), what resources can you suggest. Other people may only have a vague idea of what support they might be looking for. There is no one way to show up to counselling and no one way towards growth and healing.
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable in the space together. As you feel comfortable, a sense of trust and safety can grow. Where there is trust and safety, I have seen people do incredible things: gain insight into patterns that have troubled them for years, find clarity about a decision they needed to make, gain greater self-confidence and self-acceptance, find peace and compassion in the midst of despair and loss, find validation and care in the face of suffering, find softening in the midst of tension, find courage where there was fear.
What we can work together on:
parenting issues
depression
anxiety
self-esteem
grief/loss
sense of purpose
Queer support
chronic pain
relationship struggles
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My Counselling philosophy is to meet my clients with warmth, care, openness, humour (when appropriate) and an anti-oppressive lens where people experience a space they can feel heard without judgement. With my background training in spiritual accompaniment, I can hold a contemplative space to sit with your deep questions or suffering. I am comfortable integrating meditation, silence, prayer, poetry or art in the service of the healing work that wants to happen. I am happy to support you with practices that are spiritually or culturally relevant to you.
Walk and Talk Therapy
If you’d like to combine counselling with the outdoors, I offer Walk and Talk sessions along the beautiful KVR trail in Penticton. Moving your body while immersed in nature often fosters deeper insights and emotional shifts. I walk at your pace and invite you to connect with both your inner experience and the land. Please call ahead to learn more or book.
SoulCollage®
“When the Soul wants to experience something she throws out an image in front of her and then steps into it.” - Meister Eckhart
If you would like an immersive experience working with images to explore parts of yourself, your questions or experiences then please reach out to me about setting up our space for some collage. I have led SoulCollage with groups and individuals for over ten years. The process can be both meaningful and surprising. For more information about this practice visit: https://soulcollage.com/about/
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Anxiety | Depression | LGBTQ2IA2S+| Spirituality | Grief/Loss | Chronic Pain | Purpose/Meaning
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existential, feminist, solution-focused, mindfulness, emotion-focused therapy, SoulCollage®, strengths-based
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Education & Credentials
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP), Yorkville University, 2024
Master of Arts in Social Justice Education, University of Toronto (OISE), 2012
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)
Additional Training
Solution Focused Therapy Levels 1 & 2 (Association for Psychological Therapies, UK)
Soul Guiding: 2-year Spiritual Direction Training (Pacific Jubilee)
SoulCollage© Facilitator Training
Champions of Change: Indigenous-Based Leadership Training (IndigenEYEZ)
Transforming Trauma with James Finley
Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples in Crisis (Dr. Sue Johnson)
A little more about me…
My hobbies: I usually have more than one book on the go at a time: one for fun and one for learning. I also enjoy gardening, making art & soap, cycling and hiking
I moved to a farm and am learning to take care of horses and the ecosystem around me
I am a middle-aged, cisgender woman, parent, and settler on Syilx territory—where I have lived much of my life.
Why you became a counsellor: I’ve spent my life immersed in social-justice related advocacy, working with children, youth and young adults and offering leadership in NGOs. After a stretch of intense front-line humanitarian and human rights work, I got sick and burnt out. Since that time, I have struggled with chronic pain. I have benefited from compassionate and skilled counsellors myself since my 20s. In my mid-life, I knew I had to nurture a new way to offer my skills and passion for justice. Counselling opened up as a way through which I can channel my care and concern for others and the world.
Additional professions: I work part-time for a human rights network, officiate weddings and lead group retreats.
Individual - $155
Couples - $170
Rates
Availability
Tuesdays AM, Wednesday AM & PM,
Thursdays AM/PM online/walk & talk
Youth, Adolescents, Adults, Couples