ƛ̓úk̓vṃs dṇ́y̓ás — Cedar Roots Counselling

Holistic Counselling Rooted in Connection, Culture, and Community.

I work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, and individuals from all cultures.

Healing is relational. It lives in story, image, memory, and connection—to self, community, ancestors, and land. My work brings together Clinical Therapy, Indigenous wellness perspectives, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Art Therapy to support holistic healing that honours the whole person.

I offer a culturally responsive therapeutic space where creativity and conversation work together, and where clients are supported in ways that respect identity, lived experience, and personal meaning.

My Approach

My therapeutic approach is holistic, trauma-informed, and relational, guided by Indigenous values such as respect, balance, reciprocity, and responsibility. I integrate clinical psychotherapy with creative expression and IFS to help clients understand themselves with greater clarity and compassion.

Therapy may include:

  • Talk therapy and reflective dialogue

  • Internal Family Systems (parts-based therapy)

  • Art therapy and creative exploration

  • Narrative and storytelling practices

  • Mind–body awareness and grounding (using meditation and Sound Bowls)

Cultural and creative elements are offered with care, consent, and humility - never assumed or imposed.

Art Therapy

Across many global cultures, creativity has long been a way of teaching, remembering, and healing. Art therapy offers a non-verbal pathway to explore experiences that may be difficult to express with words alone.

Art therapy work may support:

  • Processing trauma and grief

  • Exploring identity and belonging

  • Regulating emotions and stress

  • Strengthening self-connection and resilience

  • Honoring personal and ancestral stories

No artistic skill is needed. The focus is on meaning, process, and expression—not the final image.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems is a gentle, non-pathologizing model that understands each person as having multiple inner “parts”, each with a role developed to protect or support us. Rather than trying to eliminate parts, IFS helps us listen to them with curiosity and respect.

IFS supports:

  • Understanding inner conflicts

  • Healing trauma without re-traumatization

  • Developing self-compassion and inner trust

  • Releasing burdens carried from the past

  • Strengthening connection to the core Self

Art Therapy & IFS

Art therapy can deepen IFS work by giving form to inner experiences. Creative expression may help:

  • Externalize and safely explore different parts

  • Access emotions and memories beyond words

  • Support grounding and regulation

  • Create distance from overwhelming experiences

  • Foster insight and integration

No artistic skill is required. The artwork becomes a bridge for understanding, not an evaluation of ability.

EMDR

(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based trauma therapy that helps the nervous systƛ̓úk̓vṃs dṇ́y̓ásem reprocess distressing memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge.

I am trained in EMDR and expect to offer EMDR therapy in the near future. My training is approved by the EMDR International Association. However, I am completing the necessary client-direct hours in order to gain certification.

Once available, EMDR may be integrated thoughtfully with:

  • Parts-based (IFS-informed) preparation

  • Creative and grounding practices

  • Culturally responsive care.

Yin Yoga (Private Somatic Sessions)

The nervous system and physical body are deeply connected to our internal, emotional experiences. These sessions are offered alongside and at the end of talk/art therapy sessions.

Who I Work With

I work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals and couples seeking a holistic, culturally responsive approach to therapy. Common areas of support include:

  • Trauma and C-PTSD

  • Anxiety, depression, and emotional overwhelm

  • Identity exploration and life transitions

  • Disconnection from self, creativity, or meaning

What Sessions Look Like

Sessions are collaborative and paced according to your comfort and readiness. Some sessions focus on conversation and parts work, others may include art-making, grounding, or reflection. You always have choice.

I gratefully acknowledge that my practice takes place on the unceded traditional lands of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I recognize the ongoing presence, strength, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, and I hold this acknowledgement as part of a commitment to respect, learning, and relational care.

About Me

I’m a therapist and art therapist, and I’m currently pursuing my PhD in Art Therapy.

I am an Indigenous woman from the Heiltsuk Nation. I come from the house of the copper-feathered raven, my family crest is the eagle and the orca, and my traditional name is Mátḷágíla. My identity and lived experience shape the way I approach healing, care, and relationships.

In my private practice, I offer a calm and supportive space. I believe healing happens through connection—connection to self, story, culture, and creativity. My work draws on both talk therapy and art-based approaches, allowing clients to explore their experiences in ways that feel meaningful and accessible to them.

I aim to walk alongside people as they navigate challenges, honouring their strengths and the knowledge they already carry. My approach is gentle, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that healing unfolds at its own pace.