Book an Appointment
If you need help with booking please do not hesitate to reach out to Wild Mountain Clinical Counselling by phone or text at 250-486-1868 and/or by email at info@wildmountaincounselling.ca
If you need to cancel your appointment within 24 business hours of your scheduled appointment time, please phone or text the clinic manager at 250-486-1868 and/or email them at info@wildmountaincounselling.ca
Please note that if you as the client do not show to the scheduled appointment or cancel less than 24 business hours before your scheduled appointment you are required to pay the session fee in full.
If you wish to attend counselling during days and times which are currently unavailable, please contact Wild Mountain Clinical Counselling at 250-486-1868 and/or email us at info@wildmountaincounselling.ca OR use Jane’s waitlist feature as needed.
AT THIS TIME CHRISTEL IS NOT TAKING ON ANY NEW CLIENTS DUE TO A FULL CASELOAD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.
Welcome to our online booking site
Clinical Counselling
Registered Clinical Counsellors in British Columbia are registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counselling. This organization, and subsequent membership designation, binds counsellors to a code of ethical conduct, insures educational standards, and demands that members continue with additional training in the mental health field as conditions of membership. These standards help to ensure that clinical counsellors provide a quality service.
Clinical counselling uses established mental health principles, values and techniques to aid you in achieving insight into existing challenges, gaining new skills and capacities, and earning emotional freedom from historical issues.
Keith Balisky
(He/Him/His)
M.C, R.C.C
About Keith (He/him)
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Canadian Certified Counsellor. I hold a Masters of Counselling from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Alberta. My previous work before counselling includes clinical research in chronic pain. I consider myself a lifelong learner. I aim to grow both inside the counselling chair and as a person. Within the counselling world I grow by consulting, learning from other professionals, and continued training and education.
Outside of the clinical space, cooking and food, in general, are some of my biggest passions. If I am not in the kitchen you may find me outside running, hiking or enjoying the sun. Beyond that, I am a nerdy person with interests in board games, video games, and movies. If it’s nerdy, there is a good chance it’s for me!
About Practice
I take an integrative approach to individual counselling. I use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotion Focused Therapy, Strength Based approaches, and Solution Focused approaches. I pay particular attention to the patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. I find it important to tailor the experience to the unique individual. My first step is to meet a client where they are at and to make a human to human connection. I strive to create a space where a client is safe and agency is held. I also strive to create a safe space for inclusivity of all people and all communities.
I believe that counselling is a journey of growth and understanding. I am lucky to be able to walk that path with people. I aim to create a space where people can let go of the weight they carry and explore it without judgement. I want to empower people to be the best version of themselves.
I also have Gottman level one training for couples counselling. It is a researched and evidenced based approach that focuses on communication, what is currently working, what needs to improve, and what is getting in the way of growth. I connect with this type of couples counselling because it takes an evidence based approach and focuses on ensuring that both members of the couple feel heard, valued, and loved by the other member for the majority of the time but allows space for people to be human as well. It also backed by research that indicates it provides similarly effective results across races, and heterosexual and homosexual couples.
Areas of Interest
• Depression • Anxiety • Life Stressors • Trauma • Intimate Relationships • Interpersonal Relationships • Communication • Emotion Work • Assertiveness Training • Strength Building • Life Transitions • LGBTQ2+ inclusivity • BIPOC inclusivity
About Keith (He/him) I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Canadian Certified Counsellor. I ... Read More
Spencer Hammond
I’m excited to now call the Okanagan home after recently moving from northern BC. With over 10 years of experience in the helping profession, I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of people, including men on parole, children and teens in school settings, Indigenous communities, and have had various roles within the counselling world. Most recently, I have been in a leadership position at a non-profit organization where I provide both counselling services and clinical supervision.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in First Nations Studies and a Master of Education in Counselling, both from the University of Northern British Columbia. My passion for mental health and counselling drives me to continuously grow and deepen my practice, ensuring I bring the best possible support to those I work with.
Outside of work, I enjoy music, riding bikes, and tattoo culture, in addition to indulging in all things nerdy, and playing in the dirt.
My approach to therapy is client-centered, integrative, and collaborative. I believe therapy should be tailored and individualized to the person seeking support, so together we will explore what works best for you. You are the expert of your own experiences, even when it might not feel that way, and my role is to support and guide you in finding solutions that resonate with your therapeutic needs and goals.
Creating a strong therapeutic relationship is at the heart of my work. I strive to build trust and establish a safe, supportive space so clients can feel comfortable exploring aspects of themselves. Through this process, I support clients to gain deeper insight, understanding, and clarity, empowering them to make meaningful changes.
I draw from a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), tailoring our sessions to align with your personal preferences and circumstances.
I’m excited to now call the Okanagan home after recently moving from northern BC. With over 10 ye... Read More
Steve King
Melanie Konynenberg
I work in collaboration with clients to uncover strengths, abilities, resources, and meaning. I believe the experiencing of fulfillment and the discovery of purpose and hope can lead to increased wellness. Courage can allow clients to daringly sit in vulnerability while experimenting with values-based actions and behaviours. I prioritize the creation of a safe, warm, and empathic therapeutic relationship in which the client is placed as the expert.
I have worked with youth and adults of all ages as a clinical counsellor in community-based clinics, including Penticton’s One Sky Community Resources and Foundry. As both a performer and music instructor, I have discovered and witnessed music, drama, and other art forms’ ability to evoke positive thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
I am interested in working in collaboration with clients to meet challenges associated with life transitions, relationships, parenting, personal meaning, depression, grief, trauma, and anxiety. I have a deep interest in continued education of strengths-based approaches, nature-based therapies, self-compassion, counselling for couples, trauma, animal-assisted therapy, music, drama, and other expressive arts interventions.
I work in collaboration with clients to uncover strengths, abilities, resources, and meaning. I b... Read More
Christopher McIntosh
I am a Registered Social Worker with a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Windsor and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Calgary. I have served in counselling, clinical supervision, and leadership roles in health and social care organizations.
Counselling is an opportunity to pause the pressures of the outside world and reflect on your thoughts, feelings, needs and goals. As a counsellor, I believe in creating a caring and nonjudgmental space where you can explore the challenges of living. Engaging in counselling takes courage and can provide you with the experience of being heard and understood in a way that may have been missing from your life in the past.
My work with you will be a partnership in which I respect you as your life expert. My contribution is to help you identify self-awareness and explore options that allow you to reach your goals. I draw from evidence-informed therapeutic practices and seek to continuously learn new and evolving ways to support those I work alongside. My counselling relationships are founded upon integrity, trust, and respect for the many diverse aspects of us that make us unique. I look forward to working with you to reach your counselling goals.
I am a Registered Social Worker with a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Win... Read More
Christel Mitchell
(She/Her/Hers)
M.C., R.C.C.
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 have recently become certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and currently working towards a certification in Internal Family Systems (IFS). Please see the news section for a further explanation of each of these modalities.
Each client receives a tailored approach to best meet their needs and support their movement towards change. Furthermore, I have recently become certified in Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and currently working towards a certification in Internal Family Systems.
With each client I strive to create a person-centered approach, grounded in trust, paralleled wit... Read More
Maria Rivera
(She/Her/Hers)
I have been living in BC for the last 13 years, and first moved to Canada by myself in my late-teens. I have lived in different parts of the world including Central America and Europe. I grew up in a multi-cultural family that instilled in me a sense of curiosity to experience different cultures and traditions. As a result, I am building a multi-cultural family of my own.
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). I hold a Master’s degree in Counselling from City University of Seattle, a diploma in Human Resources Management from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor’s Degree of Arts & Science from Quest University Canada.
I have worked with children, youth and adults of all ages in different settings, including community-based organizations like Hollyburn Family Services, the Howe Sound Women’s Centre and OneSky Community Services. I have also had the opportunity to work within different School Districts and Health authorities in British Columbia.
Outside of the clinical space, I love to spend time outdoors whether it is hiking, skiing, paddle boarding or finding new walks with my pup Ollie. I also really enjoy road-tripping across BC and discovering new places in our own backyard.
About Practice
I join therapeutic conversations by understanding each person’s unique experience and view of their world and respecting individual differences and ways of dealing with life. I believe clients are the experts of their own lives and it is an honour to support them with their individual process of change. I love seeing individuals gain a greater level of awareness in all aspects of being.
I work from a client-centered approach, where I focus on building connection through trust and safety. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is key to our work together. I see what is alive for my clients and connect with other parts of their inner worlds, not just the problems they bring and share. I think it is crucial to be able to see the essence of the person and work from their strengths. I focus on my clients’ purposes and intentions as the core of our relationship.
I offer services in English and Spanish.
I have been living in BC for the last 13 years, and first moved to Canada by myself in my late-te... Read More
Helene San Pedro
My name is Helene San Pedro and I am a trauma-informed counsellor and a settler from the Philippines to Turtle Island (Canada). I am a mother, a helper, and a support for Filipino newcomers. I am also an advocate and ally with Indigenous peoples and nations, and I have received my Ojibwe name, Cedar Tree Woman.
Inspired by my mother’s work with survivors of complex trauma and family violence in the Philippines, I pursued a career in the helping profession within the social services field. My formal training includes education from the University of Manitoba, Manitoba Corrections, and the Justice Institute of British Columbia. I hold a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and am a licensed Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC).
With over 16 years of experience in social services, mental health, and addictions in Manitoba, I have supported individuals and families impacted by problematic substance use and co-occurring disorders across various sectors. I provide trauma-informed and culturally competent counselling using a strength-based, wrap-around, heart-centered approach.
I also integrate experiential approaches into my therapeutic work and am committed to gender and cultural inclusivity, recognizing and respecting the diverse identities of my clients. I encourage and empower clients to take control of their own healing journeys, fostering autonomy and helping individuals recognize their own strengths and capabilities.
Through my work, I aim to inspire others to incorporate mindful movement into their daily lives, recognizing its profound impact on holistic health. I am always open to exploring new activities and believe in the power of movement to bring joy, resilience, and vitality to life.
I strive to create a supportive and nurturing environment where people can thrive and achieve their wellness goals. I value learning from the stories of individuals, families, and communities with lived and living experiences, acknowledging and honoring community resilience, and celebrating strengths as personal heroes and champions.
My name is Helene San Pedro and I am a trauma-informed counsellor and a settler from the Philippi... Read More
Izabela Zakrzewska
I have come to this beautiful part of the world by way of Poland, through Greece, to Vancouver, and most recently, I have discovered the hidden gem of Summerland. I love our community, the lifestyle, the seasons, and all the wine and good food the Okanagan has to offer!
I hold a Master of Counselling degree from City University of Seattle, complemented by a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University. My first exposure to counselling came through my experiences as a high school teacher. I taught Social Studies, Psychology, Law, English, Career Education and even a cooking class. Beyond my teaching duties, I was involved in the choir, athletics, and the school drama productions - I was a veritable Swiss Army Knife of education! But, most importantly, I talked to and heard from the kids. I heard from their parents, and I heard from my colleagues as they expressed their day to day professional and personal frustrations. I loved teaching, but at some point, my career path shifted from lecturing to listening. I became a counsellor.
After many years of teaching and counselling, this is where I am today. My goal is to provide a space and an opportunity for clients to be listened to, and, hopefully, to be understood.
I have come to this beautiful part of the world by way of Poland, through Greece, to Vancouver, ... Read More
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Social Work