Katrina Grabner

M.A. (she/her)

Counsellor (RCC)- Art Therapist

For over a dozen years I have supported adults, youth, and children who have lived through various experiences of trauma, as a front-line worker with several East Vancouver social service providers.

My professional experience combined with lived experience equips me to work from a collaborative, trauma-aware, anti-oppression framework.

I grew up in Treaty 6 Territory and am a visitor on the unceded Ancestral lands of the Coast Salish peoples, the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam Nations, also known as Vancouver, BC, Canada.

My ancestors are German, Scottish, Irish, French and Mi'kmaq. I work towards self-awareness of my own role in colonization and am committed to the daily work of being a co-conspirator and ally in decolonization.

creativity is an innate resource within all of us.

yohan.photography

I believe deeply in our ability to heal and the resilience embedded within us all.
I understand the pain of grief, trauma and stuckness and I am here to walk along side you as you move from a survival state into a more spacious place of thriving.

I love my job.
It is a great honour to walk alongside and witness the courage of my clients.

I am passionate about learning and continue to build skills in the field of trauma recovery. I have an MA in Psychotherapy and Spirituality with a specialization in Art Therapy through St Stephen's College, which is an affiliated degree-granting graduate college of the University of Alberta. I am currently training in Somatic Experiencing which is a body oriented approach to healing trauma developed by Peter Levine as well as Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) lead by Janina Fisher.

I am a professional member with the BC Art Therapy Association

and am a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counsellors and Psychologists Association (CCPA).

my approach is

collaborative

I believe you are the expert of your lived experience and I respect the wisdom that you bring.

trauma aware

My work focuses on nervous system regulation and creating experiences of felt safety in the here and now at a pace that does not overwhelm.

somatically grounded

I incorporate embodiment practices of grounding, soothing, movement and tending to the body.

attachment informed

I consider and explore the ways that early experiences in primary relationships shape our adult relationships, our nervous systems and the way we seek safety and protection in the present moment.

arts centered

Depending on your comfort level and areas of interest, we may utilize your creativity and different art forms for self expression, exploration and regulation. Click here for more information on art therapy.

intersectional
& anti-oppressive

I consider the intersections of our various identities, the systems we are woven into, and the impacts of systemic oppression on daily life including mental well being. All genders, sexual orientations, bodies, cultural and spiritual practices are welcome. This is a daily commitment on my part to both learning and unlearning and practicing cultural humility.

I recognize that the field of psychotherapy is rooted in Western approaches and ways of knowing and that there are many ways to heal, beyond this perspective. I am committed to the ongoing practice of decolonizing healing and therapy theories and practices.

I have many areas of privilege such as being (cis gendered, able-bodied, white privileged, thin privileged and heterosexual). I am also the daughter of a single mother and I carry other areas within my identity where I have and/or continue to experience oppression. I honour the importance of you finding a therapist that is the right fit and am happy to support you in that journey if that is not me.

credentials & training

I am a professional member with the BC Art Therapy Association and a registered clinical counsellor (RCC) with BCACC (membership (#18603).

When I’m not working as a therapist you can find me creating art as a visual artist, snugging with my cat or going for a rainy day walk along the beach!