Katelin Knapp

M.A, RCC

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Fort Langley

Emotional wounds most often involve relationships with others, yet the impact of these wounds leave us with an immense sense of aloneness. The relationship between therapist and client is an emotionally healing and profoundly meaningful agent of change. Therefore, it is my greatest privilege to walk alongside my clients through their painful feelings in a connected and safe environment of support and growth. This is the foundation of my work.

I attained my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Trinity Western University. I have been working in the mental health field since 2013 in a variety of capacities including positions at Brookswood Counselling Services, Battered Women’s Support Services and Ishtar Women’s Resource Centre.

My main specializations are working with individuals who have suffered from complex relational trauma as well as dissociative disorders. In addition, I’m extremely passionate about working with women who have suffered from intimate partner violence and abuse. I also regularly work with various mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues (couples and adult family counselling), self-esteem and identity issues.

Being able to open up and work through one’s pain can be a scary thing for many, which I can relate to from personal experience. On top of my professional training, the commitment I have made to understanding and working through my own traumatic experiences has helped me to develop personal insight into abusive relational dynamics. Furthermore, it has helped me immensely in developing a sense of compassion both toward myself and others. This in turn has inspired me to strive to be an outlet of security and trust whereby my clients can enter into both their places of darkness and light with strength and self-compassion.

I have done training in several different evidence-based therapy modalities including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (Level 1 and 2), Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)/AEDP for Couples, Occupational Awareness for First Responders, and Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy. I draw mostly from relational/experiential models, that involve emotion and body-based techniques, as well as elements of cognitive-behavioural work.

I am a co-founder of one of Shoreline’s groups, “Calming Body and Mind: Skills for Coping with Trauma”, which is an educational and experiential group for those suffering from symptoms and/or effects of trauma and would like to learn coping skills for managing them. As such, it is of utmost importance to me to facilitate an experience to help clients understand how difficult life situations have affected them as well as assisting them in acquiring practical tools that they can use to move through life.

I enjoy working with both individuals and couples in a collaborative way that honours my clients in their current situation while using my professional experience to come up with solution-focused strategies to move forward. One of my main goals is to facilitate a safe environment made up of trust and authenticity. I feel privileged in being able to walk alongside my clients during their times of need, as well as being there to celebrate their important milestones along the way.

I look forward to being able to accompany you on your journey at whatever point you invite me to do so.