About Degan Walters
I support clients who want to break cycles, work through past trauma, quiet limiting beliefs, and realign with their core values so that they can thrive.
I’m Degan.
she/her
It’s pronounced like Meghan. My pronouns are she/her. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) licensed through the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and I hold a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from Adler University, as well as additional training and certifications in EMDR (Eye-movement Desensitization and Re-processing) Therapy, trauma processing and support, IFS (Internal Family Systems), Narrative Therapy, CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
I have felt drawn to working with people in a healing profession from a young age, but my career path first drew me to work in technology in the corporate world. I learned many skills such as mentoring, goal-setting, navigating work relationships, and managing work-life balance that I continue to use, but I also underwent a deep process of re-connecting with my values and authentic self that has built my self-awareness and understanding of how to stay grounding through big transitions. I have always been a champion of personal growth and am passionate about helping people feel supported holistically / having a greater sense of ease in the world, which took me through coaching to a career in counselling. All of this helps me support you.
As well as being a therapist, I am a flamenco dancer, artist, dog mom, and book lover. I love being outdoors (especially close to the sea or forest), travelling, or on an adventure just as much as I love a contemplative moment over a cup of tea.
My Focuses
Stress / Burnout
Anxiety
Transitions
Trauma
Grief
My Beliefs
Quiet moments, deep connection, the ability to heal ourselves, rest, the kindness of strangers, working hard, delight, getting outside
You Can Find Me
In the forest / near the sea, with my dog, dancing, curled up with a book, on an adventure
Daily Rituals
Checking in with & centering myself, coffee, dog walk in the forest, moving my body, noting gratitude and moments of “nectar” – delights of the day
"We don't heal in isolation, but in community."
— S. Kelley Harrell
Supporting your mental health and well-being
Therapy is deeply collaborative work. I am an empathetic, intuitive, curious, and encouraging human but I also read voraciously and have a ton of resources such as a compiled list of helplines, books, websites, and handouts. I see my role as holding the safe space as a container for us to work in as well as the big picture and goals, while my clients bring their lived experience and knowledge of themselves. Together we identify and remove obstacles so that they can be grounded in their authentic selves.
I love creating a connection with clients and helping them feel safe and empowered.
We don’t get to adulthood without some coping mechanism that kept us safe, and sometimes we can find that these are no longer serving us, have become stuck, or are keeping us from our true potential. Counselling creates a safe space to explore and repair issues that are causing emotional distress and discomfort.
I am a registered clinical counsellor (RCC) with training in trauma, interpersonal relationships, and a variety of approaches and disciplines. I value continuous education and I feel that I learn something every day from my beautiful clients. It is an honor to do this work and I’m grateful to be supported in my practice. As well as being a counsellor, I am a dancer, visual artist, animal lover, adventurer, and avid reader.
Frequently Asked Questions
You don’t have to be in a crisis to benefit from counselling. Counselling can certainly help with emotional regulation and easing of distress, but in fact, sometimes it is easier to see new perspectives and gain insight during calmer periods. Clinical counselling is helpful for issues that have been stewing in the background and affecting your work, relationships, health, behaviour or mood, as well as for resolving conflict and communication issues, and can help in preparing for or recovering from a big life transition. Perhaps you are ready to process some past trauma that continues to hang around, or perhaps you are seeking clarity or insight into certain behaviours.
Still unsure? Book a consultation to see if counselling feels like it would be helpful for you.
It’s normal to feel a bit apprehensive and hesitant about seeing a new counsellor for the first time, so we will take some time to get settled and comfortable with each other, while also going over what is most important or urgent for you.
The first session will be a little bit different in that we will go over the counselling process, review consent and confidentiality and take some time to connect and feel safe, before gathering an understanding of your goals and background. I will be guiding the conversation more at the beginning, making space for any questions that you have, and from there we can collaboratively decide what to dig into and explore.
As we get deeper into the relationship and healing processes, we will work together, with you being the expert of your lived experience and I recommending a therapeutic direction. Depending on the situation, I may provide tools or resources, ask questions that work towards increased insight or clarity, suggest some work to do in between sessions, and/or hold space for where you’re at with your emotions.
You may not see results right away. Sometimes there is resistance to going in a certain direction and that may need to be explored, or day to day distress may lead the healing process along a non-linear path. Also, the emotions and ideas uncovered in therapy can take a while to mesh with our real-world situations, or to become integrated with other views and values.
In keeping with the guidelines outlined by BC’s Clinical Counselling regulatory board (BCACC), counselling rates are:
50min Individual Counselling (Including EMDR)- $150
80min Individual Counselling – $225
50min Relationship Counselling – $176
80min Relationship Counselling – $265
Sliding scale sessions are available to those in need – contact me for details.
Yes, everything we discuss together, and any information exchanged between us is confidential, not only while we are working together, but always. There are a few exceptions to this, however – I am required by law to report any suspected harm to a child, yourself, or others, and to submit my records in the event of a court subpoena. In order to keep my skills current and offer the best possible healing, I attend professional supervision where your situation may be discussed – however in these instances, no identifying information will be shared.