Island Clinical Counselling

Island Clinical Counselling Island Clinical Counselling: Feel Safe. Be Heard. Find Hope.

https://islandclinicalcounselling.janeapp.com/

https://iocdf.org/providers/atkinson-kathryn/

https://www.bfrb.org/find-help-support/find-a-therapist/find-a-therapist-international/record/0012I00002eEKsYQAW

Your child’s biggest emotions may appear in the place where they feel safest.After spending the school day following ins...
09/09/2026

Your child’s biggest emotions may appear in the place where they feel safest.

After spending the school day following instructions, managing sensory input, navigating friendships, completing work, and holding difficult feelings inside, some children arrive home with very little capacity left.

The result might look like crying, irritability, arguing, shutting down, intense silliness, or a meltdown over something seemingly small.

It doesn’t mean the behaviour should be ignored—but it may need connection and decompression before correction.

After school, try offering:

• A snack and water
• Less conversation for the first few minutes
• Movement or quiet sensory time
• Predictability about what happens next
• Connection before questions about the day

Sometimes the child who “did wonderfully all day” was working much harder than anyone could see.

Save this for the first challenging afternoon of the school year.

09/07/2026

Back-to-school anxiety isn't just for kids. Parents and caregivers feel the shift too, even when it doesn't show. Save this for the mornings that feel like a lot. Understanding this and naming it can ease the transition feelings.

New backpacks, fresh school supplies and first-day excitement are everywhere—but transitions rarely carry only one feeli...
09/07/2026

New backpacks, fresh school supplies and first-day excitement are everywhere—but transitions rarely carry only one feeling.

For some children and teens, back-to-school nerves settle once the first few days are behind them. For others, anxiety begins affecting sleep, physical comfort, school attendance or everyday family life.

Our newest blog explores:

• How school anxiety can show up
• When back-to-school nerves may need more support
• Practical ways parents can respond
• How the SPACE program helps families navigate childhood anxiety and avoidance

Sometimes the most helpful message a parent can offer is:

“I can see that this is really hard, and I believe you can handle it. We’ll take it one step at a time.”

Read Back-to-School Anxiety: Helping Children Move Through Fear and Find Their Footing: https://islandclinicalcounselling.ca/2026/09/01/back-to-school-anxiety-helping-children-move-through-fear-and-find-their-footing/

Back to school can bring fresh starts—and a lot of stress. Between classes, assignments, finances, relationships, work, ...
09/03/2026

Back to school can bring fresh starts—and a lot of stress.

Between classes, assignments, finances, relationships, work, and adjusting to a new routine, fall can feel overwhelming. Counselling can help, but cost shouldn’t be the reason students go without support.

Our Student Pay-What-You-Can Program offers affordable counselling based on what you’re able to pay. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, low mood, academic pressure, burnout, loneliness, or simply need someone to talk to, support is available.

Start the school year with someone in your corner.

Visit our website to learn more or book an appointment.

Sometimes the hardest part is the time before the thing happens.Anticipatory anxiety can show up as repeated questions, ...
09/02/2026

Sometimes the hardest part is the time before the thing happens.

Anticipatory anxiety can show up as repeated questions, irritability, trouble sleeping, stomach aches, avoidance, overplanning, or imagining everything that could go wrong.

For children returning to school, it might sound like: “What if I don’t know anyone?” or “What if my teacher is mean?”

For adults, it may look more like mentally rehearsing every possible outcome.

Rather than immediately reassuring someone that everything will be fine, try asking: “What part feels the hardest right now?” Naming the specific worry can make it feel more manageable.

If back-to-school anxiety is becoming difficult for your child or family to navigate, support is available.

We're delighted to welcome Karin Kronstal to Island Clinical Counselling. Karin is completing her Master of Counselling ...
09/01/2026

We're delighted to welcome Karin Kronstal to Island Clinical Counselling. Karin is completing her Master of Counselling at City University of Seattle and her practicum hours toward becoming a Registered Clinical Counsellor.

Starting in October, she'll be seeing clients in person or virtually on Fridays out of our downtown Nanaimo office.

Karin works with people navigating seasons of transition — career change, health journeys, shifts in religious identity, the loss of a relationship, or the move into parenthood. She also welcomes individuals and couples looking to strengthen their relationships. Her approach draws from Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Relational Life Therapy, adapted to your goals and lived experience.

Sessions with Karin are $70, with a sliding scale and Pay What You Can available.

Book with Karin in downtown Nanaimo — link in bio.

Meet Anne-Marie Reilander, CCC, one of the newest members of the Island Clinical Counselling team! Anne-Marie brings a w...
09/01/2026

Meet Anne-Marie Reilander, CCC, one of the newest members of the Island Clinical Counselling team!

Anne-Marie brings a warm, compassionate, and person-centred approach to counselling, supporting children, youth, adults, and couples. Her areas of focus include anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, relationships, stress and burnout, self-esteem, identity, and life transitions.

With a background in counselling, education, and educational leadership, Anne-Marie is passionate about creating a space where clients feel genuinely seen, understood, and supported.

In person in Duncan
Virtual appointments available
Currently accepting new clients

Welcome to ICC, Anne-Marie!

Anne-Marie brings a warm, compassionate, and person-centred approach to counselling, supporting children, youth, adults, and couples. Her areas of focus include anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, relationships, stress and burnout, self-esteem, identity, and life transitions.

With a background in counselling, education, and educational leadership, Anne-Marie is passionate about creating a space where clients feel genuinely seen, understood, and supported.

In person in Duncan
Virtual appointments available
Currently accepting new clients

Welcome to ICC, Anne-Marie!

Sometimes we see the present through the shape of the past.A delayed reply can feel like rejection.A change in someone’s...
08/28/2026

Sometimes we see the present through the shape of the past.

A delayed reply can feel like rejection.
A change in someone’s tone can feel like danger.
A disagreement can feel like abandonment.
A small mistake can feel like proof that we aren’t good enough.

We aren’t only responding to what is happening now. Sometimes, our nervous system is also responding to what similar moments have meant before.

That doesn’t make your reaction irrational or wrong. It means your mind and body learned how to protect you.

Therapy can help us notice when an old expectation is shaping a current moment—so we have more freedom to respond to what is happening now, not only to what happened then.

Save this for the moments when the present feels heavier than it seems like it “should.”

Embrace Your (Neurodivergent) MindAdults with ADH & autism — diagnosed, questioning, or supporting othersNeurodivergent ...
08/27/2026

Embrace Your (Neurodivergent) Mind
Adults with ADH & autism — diagnosed, questioning, or supporting others

Neurodivergent Life Skills Counselling: individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADH) and autism face distinctive challenges when it comes to everyday tasks.

This series of workshops delves into topics particularly relevant to these experiences. Developed by a neurodivergent counsellor, it aims to create a supportive space for the broader community, especially for those late-discovered or questioning their ADH or autism.

Everyone is welcome: diagnosed folks, folks who are questioning, or folks who want to support others who are neurodiverse. This is a neurodiverse-affirming workshop series that aims to increase self-acceptance and coping skills in a world not designed for neurodivergent brains.

Summer endings can bring up more than we expect.Even when fall holds good things, the transition can still come with sad...
08/26/2026

Summer endings can bring up more than we expect.

Even when fall holds good things, the transition can still come with sadness, resistance, or a sense that time moved too quickly. Children may become more emotional, adults may feel unsettled, and routines that once felt manageable can suddenly feel like a lot.

You don’t have to rush past that feeling. Give yourself a moment to notice what you’re leaving behind—and what you may need as the season changes.

Address

41 Chapel Street
Nanaimo, BC
V9R5H3

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 9:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+12507977087

Website

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