Christel Mitchell, M.C., R.C.C.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I received a RCC designation in the year 2020 when leaving the Canadian public health care system to join the private sector.

I earned a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Athabasca University. During my studies I focused on acquiring the skills to support persons living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, and their affected family members. My field of focus has always been mental health and substance use, as throughout the entirety of my life persons from both my immediate and extended family units have struggled with such. However, through time I have also added to my primary areas of interest and became competent in such by pursuing continuing education.

I have several years of closely supervised experience in counselling youth, adults, couples, and families both in person and virtually. As well, I continue to seek supervision and consult with colleagues in order to remain current in psychological theory and practice, and to ensure the highest quality of service is provided.

Since 2014 I have been involved in the mental health and substance use field, however in varying capacities. I have worked for Interior Health as a community mental health worker and a mental health and substance use clinician, as well as ARC Programs as a child, youth, and family counsellor. Furthermore, prior to entering the private sector I spent several years working for Pathways Addictions Resource Centre, a small non-profit counselling agency, assisting both youth and adults develop, works towards, and achieve wellness goals and cope effectively with personal struggles.

Allow me the opportunity to support you in navigating your wild mountain of challenges and make the journey to the top where rewards are waiting for you.

With each client I strive to create a person-centered approach, grounded in trust, paralleled with congruency, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. I provide a safe and therapeutic environment for the exploration of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours which encourages clients to build self-awareness and gain insight into personal struggle. Empowering clients to manage their own lives as they discover personal strengths and capabilities, enhances well-being, builds resiliency, and embraces problem solving skills.

I utilize a combination of treatment modalities, including but not limited to cognitive behavioural therapy, solution focused therapy, and motivational interviewing. Additionally, I take a strength-based and trauma-informed approach to therapy, while incorporating positive psychology and mindfulness strategies and techniques into my practice. Furthermore, I am certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Mindful Eating, and currently working towards completing ATMA’s Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy introduction and advanced training courses to hopefully in the future offer this ground-breaking treatment to adult clients experiencing mental health challenges.

Each client receives a tailored approach to best meet their needs and support their movement towards change.

• Problematic use of substances/substance use disorders
• Substance affected family members
• Process, also known as behavioural, addictions
• Mood disorders: anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder
• Family members affected by a loved one’s mental health
• Couple’s counselling: conflict resolution, communication, and intimacy
• Stress and worry, as well as crisis management
• Adult ADHD
• EMDR for the treatment of trauma survivors, post-traumatic stress, phobias, panic attacks, depression, anxiety disorders, stress, sexual and physical abuse, disturbing memories, complicated grief and chronic pain.
• Eating disorders
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) to treat a wide range of mental health diagnoses, as well as non-clinical issues