Hi, I’m Degan
I love working with people and I am passionate about taking a holistic approach to healing (and life), which means looking at mind body to see how work, play, relationships, behaviours are being impacted.
Degan is pronounced like Meghan, and my pronouns are she/her.
I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) licensed through the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), and I have a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from Adler University in Vancouver. Since then, I have taken several specialized trainings in trauma, Narrative therapy, and Gottman Couples Therapy, as well as ongoing eduction to be a more socially responsible practitioner. My work with clients has been focused accordingly.
I have always felt drawn to working with people in a healing profession, but my career path first drew me towards working with technology in the corporate world for many years. There 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 supported my lived experience of working through life’s transitions. I became passionate about helping people feel supported holistically and able to gain a greater sense of ease in the world, which led to clinical counselling and similar volunteer work. All of this helps me support you.
"We don't heal in isolation, but in community."
I love creating a connection with clients and helping them feel safe and empowered.
In applying a holistic perspective to my own life, my sense of wellbeing comes from balancing respect for the healing wisdom of the land and seasons, a sense of belonging in a supportive community, mindfulness and movement. I believe that healing and strength comes from our interactions with each other and the natural world, and I try to participate as authentically as possible while not shying away from things that are uncomfortable.
I love being out on the land (or sea) both in quiet mindfulness and athletic activity, and feel good at the end of a day where I’ve had my hands in water or dirt. I am also an avid traveller and get a lot of joy from exploring new places and meeting people. In quieter moments, I turn to creative pursuits and consuming books. I read frequently on a wide variety of subjects and always have at least one book on the go. As much as possible, I try to integrate these inputs into my own healing and growth.