Community Counselling Program
Free counselling for individuals in the East Kootenay region
Our Community Counselling Program offers free counselling support to those ages 10+ in the East Kootenay who would otherwise not be able to afford counselling services.
Our counsellors use a variety of methods including talk therapy, internal family systems and other evidence-based approaches. See each bio below to learn more about the current program staff. Counsellor preference may be considered, but cannot be guaranteed.
Evening, daytime and virtual appointments available.
CCS intends to continuously provide practicum placements to Counselling and Social Work Masters students in order to provide this service to our community. If you are seeking such a practicum placement beginning in 2026, email [email protected] to express your interest.
Counsellors

Nancy has worked in the social sector for 35 plus years. Nancy is returning to her earlier passion of counselling part-time while continuing her role in non-profit administration and supervision. She has a Masters of Social Work and is completing her hours to become a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Nancy has been Executive Director of Community Connections Society of Southeast BC since 2020.
She hopes to support individuals to navigate life and personal development/healing. Nancy is a generalist social worker who provides a bio-psycho-social assessment and uses various therapeutic modalities including solution-focussed, narrative, problem-solving, expressive and talk therapies.
Nancy’s experiences parenting her own neurodiverse children and navigating her own learning differences give her unique sensitivity for those who understand the world differently. She sees the value in practicing self-compassion and hopes to coach others to practice this in their therapeutic journey.
Nancy has done family systems therapy, anti-violence work and victim support and is known for her empathy, compassion and person-centered approach.
Outside of work, Nancy is a wife, mother to four, grandmother to three, and an active member of the community, serving in various capacities. She enjoys crafting, milk chocolate and a good cup of tea. She sees the value in taking care of others, tending to the self and connecting with those we love.
Nancy is accepting new clients for in-person and virtual appointments and is overseeing the Community Counselling Program as part of her role as Executive Director.
Supervised by: Mary Hunter, MACP, RCC; Angela Kemperman, MA, RCC, CCC.
Wendy is an educator (BEd) and counsellor (Masters in Counselling candidate) who is passionate about supporting individuals, couples, and families as they navigate life’s challenges. Her background in education gives her a deep appreciation for human development and the ways relationships, environments, and life experiences shape who we are. As an educator transitioning into counselling, Wendy brings both professional experience and a deep curiosity about how people grow, struggle, and heal within relationships.
Wendy’s counselling approach is relational and collaborative, drawing from attachment theory and family systems perspectives to help clients better understand patterns in their relationships, manage anxiety, and move toward healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.
Through creating a counselling space that feels calm, compassionate, and reflective, Wendy’s clients feel understood and supported as they move toward greater clarity, resilience, and connection.
Supervised by: Mary Hunter, MACP, RCC
Kate is a student counsellor who is passionate about supporting folks through the variety of life’s challenges. Her approach is person-centered, grounded in a belief we can all access tools and knowledge that we already carry within ourselves through counselling. Kate works with a trauma-informed lens, understanding that life experiences can deeply impact the way we move in the world, interact with others, and view ourselves.
For the past 13 years, Kate has worked in and out of the Education system, with breaks from teaching to work in the non-profit and service sectors. She has coordinated programming for children in families fleeing domestic violence, facilitated workshops on sexual consent education and taught music programs that focus on emotional regulation through the arts. Before entering her master’s program, Kate worked as an Employment Counsellor with folks who were under and unemployed to help them access upskilling opportunities, navigate career changes and all the other pieces related to employment challenges. Kate’s time as an Employment Counsellor solidified her desire to become a Registered Counsellor.
Kate cares deeply about advocacy for vulnerable and marginalized groups, especially those identifying as neurodiverse and/or 2SLGBTQIA+. She prioritizes Indigenizing and de-colonializing her counselling approach, embracing the lifelong learning process. Kate hopes all her clients feel seen and included in the collaborative and relational counselling experience. Kate believes each person is the expert on their own self, and supports them to discover, understand and empower themselves to tackle challenges, foster healthy relationships and enjoy more well-being in life.
Outside of counselling, Kate is passionate about mountain sports (climbing, skiing, biking etc.) and playing music in the community. Kate is currently working as the school counsellor at Mckim Middle School in Kimberley and is excited to expand her counselling practice to working with adults.
Supervised by Mary Hunter, MACP, RCC
Contact Us
related events
Upcoming events related to Wellness Supports.


