Somatic therapy brings attention to the body into counselling. Alongside talking about your thoughts and experiences, we may notice physical sensations, movement or changes in your breathing. These observations can offer another way to explore how you’re feeling.
I’m Bethany MacGillivray, a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP™). I offer counselling for adults in Port Moody and online across BC. Somatic awareness can be part of our work alongside conversation and creative expression, depending on your needs and interests.
My training in Somatic Experiencing® informs how I work with bodily sensations and stress responses. We explore gradually, with attention to what feels manageable for you.
For example, we might pause during a conversation to notice tension in your shoulders, the support of the chair beneath you or a moment when something feels more settled. You don’t need to notice anything particular or find the right words.
We’ll begin with what brings you to counselling and discuss whether including body awareness feels useful. A session may involve:
These are options we can explore together. You can ask questions, pause or change direction. Some sessions may centre on talking, and we’ll check in about what feels helpful.
My practice focuses on adults. Somatic awareness may be useful when exploring anxiety, stress and burnout, body image concerns or the effects of difficult experiences.
We can make room to notice how these experiences show up for you, without requiring you to push through discomfort or tell your story in a particular way.
Learn more about counselling and psychotherapy in Port Moody and online across BC, including the areas I support and what to expect.
If you’d like to explore whether working together feels like a fit, you can book a free 20-minute phone consultation. There’s room to ask questions about somatic work and discuss what you’re looking for.
Online counselling can be a helpful option, and whether it suits you depends on your needs, preferences and access to a private space. I offer online sessions across BC through Jane’s video platform. We can discuss what might work best for you during a consultation.
Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, I require a minimum of 24 hours' notice. This allows me the opportunity to offer the time to another client who may be waiting for services.
Life is full of unexpected events, and sometimes cancelling a session is unavoidable. To respect both your time and mine, and to keep my practice consistent and fair for everyone, I have the following policy in place:
Please send cancellations by email to bethany@soulflowtherapy.com or through your Jane account, so the timing is clear for both of us.
Cancellation fees are charged to the card you have on file, unless you've arranged another payment method with me. You'll receive an invoice by email. Because a cancellation fee isn't a counselling session, it isn't reimbursable through extended health benefits — your Jane receipt will show it as a cancellation.
If paying a cancellation fee would create real financial difficulty for you, please tell me. I'd rather hear about it than have it sit between us, I can reduce the fee. You don't need to explain the circumstances.
Thank you for supporting these guidelines. They're what allow me to offer a consistent, fair and caring practice for all of my clients.
Yes. I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation to answer questions, talk about what you’re looking for and explore whether working together feels like a fit. There is no expectation to book a session afterward.
Not at all. There is no experience required as art therapy is about the process rather than the product of your creation. Exploring creatively is more about the feelings that you have during your journey rather than what the image looks like at the end.
Your extended health plan may cover sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). Please check your coverage, limits and direct-billing eligibility with your insurer before booking.
I offer direct billing through:
Direct billing depends on your plan and does not guarantee payment. I also provide receipts that you can submit to your insurer.
ICBC claims: I am a registered ICBC health care provider. Counselling may be eligible for coverage through your claim. Please contact your adjuster before booking to confirm coverage and any referral requirements.
I have a small number of reduced-fee spots available for clients experiencing financial hardship. Please reach out to discuss.
The number of sessions varies depending on your unique situation and goals. Some individuals may find relief in just a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing support. We’ll discuss your needs and tailor the frequency of sessions to your progress and comfort.
Art therapy is a form of counselling that uses creativity and creative expression as part of the therapeutic process. This can include art-making such as drawing, painting, or collage — but it can also involve creative conversation, metaphor, working with materials like clay or colouring, or simply exploring ideas through an art-based lens.
Rather than focusing on what you create, art therapy is about what comes up during the process of engaging creatively. It can be especially helpful when words feel limited or when something is difficult to talk about directly. No artistic experience or talent is needed — just a willingness to explore.
Somatic therapy brings attention to the body into counselling. Alongside conversation, we may notice physical sensations, movement or changes in breathing as another way to explore how you’re feeling.
My training in Somatic Experiencing® informs this work. We explore gradually, check in about what feels manageable and make room for your questions and preferences. Somatic awareness can be included alongside conversation and creative expression, depending on your needs and interests.
The first session is focused on getting to know each other, understanding your concerns, and establishing your goals for therapy. We’ll explore what brought you here and discuss how counselling can support your needs.
Please knock when you arrive, at your scheduled appointment time. I don’t have a dedicated waiting room, so please don’t knock early. If you arrive before your appointment, you can wait outside or, if you’re comfortable, in the adjoining Tri-Cities Gracie Jiu-Jitsu lobby.
Counselling can help with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, body image concerns, self-esteem, relationship challenges, and personal growth. Together, we’ll explore what’s most important to you.
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