Sarah Dodd

Hello! My name is Sarah (she/her), and I am a cisgender woman who was raised in Kelowna and Salmon Arm B.C. on Okanagan, Syilx, and Secwe̓pemc territories. I have been a grateful visitor on the unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples since 2010, and I have a strong appreciation for the plants and animals here (especially the beautiful Arbutus and Garry Oak trees, and the abundance of deer!) I am grateful to the Indigenous stewards of this land, and believe it is my responsibility as a settler and as a counsellor to actively question and dismantle many of the colonial structures within myself and our communities - this will be a lifelong process.

My counselling approach is relational, person-centred, and strengths-based. I often bring in elements of self-compassion and mindfulness, and draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), helping students to root into the present, connect with their values, and allow their feelings as they are. I believe each individual brings their own strengths, gifts, and lived experiences to the table, and strive to make counselling a collaborative process. I see my role as being someone who will listen with a curious and compassionate ear, highlight your strengths, help you to identify and take baby steps in the direction you want to go, and gently offer new perspectives and/or tools for your toolkit if you’re feeling stuck.

I hold a MA degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Victoria, and am a Registered Clinical Counsellor. In addition to providing counselling support to post-secondary students, I have co-facilitated groups for young adults with anxiety, provided online emotional support to youth across Canada, and have worked as a community support worker for adults with developmental disabilities. In my spare time I love to play board games, listen to (and occasionally play) music, read, appreciate local wildlife, watch a good tv series, and spend time with my family and friends.