Hello!
My name is Taylar Dykstra. I am deeply passionate about mental health and am certain positive change can occur together. While therapy can seem nebulous, I believe in demystifying the counselling process, using evidence-based best practices, and empowering you to understand the roots of issues. I hope to put myself out of a job by helping you help yourself.
For therapy to work best, I believe in creating a completely judgement-free experience with warmth and kindness. Only from within a place of emotional safety and compassion, I believe we can heal and grow.
I possess over a decade of experience in counselling adjacent and wellness fields. I also work as a district school counsellor for West Vancouver Schools, and have extensive experience with children, adolescents, and their families.
It would be an absolute privilege to walk with you in the exploration of what your best life looks like and what is holding you back from achieving it. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions or to connect.
Training and Approaches
At no point do I want you to wonder, “Is this even helping?”
I know that change is possible, and though good things take time, I anticipate results soon after starting. I have a direct approach, and at the same time, I also hope you feel enveloped in warmth and the most genuine care. While I take this work incredibly seriously, I also know that humour is great medicine, and in most sessions we will find ourselves sharing a good laugh.
I draw from neuroscience, evidence-based approaches, somatic experiencing, and I will often ask for feedback to calibrate our sessions. I privilege your perspective and see you as the expert on your own life.
I graduated from the University of British Columbia, (one of the most competitive and rigorous counselling masters in Canada), and key theoretical orientations I draw from are: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative therapy, Polyvagal Theory, Attachment Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic experiencing.
In addition to individual counselling, I have advanced training and experience with family, couples, adolescent, and trauma.
Field Trip
What's in a name? “Field Trip” is meant to inspire out-of-office settings (though I also have a fantastic office).
I encourage you to consider what is most conducive to you. For instance, nature-based "walk and talk".
The name is also meant to be playful, in that therapy may be thought of as a field trip into exploring our minds, how our bodies process, and discovering new ways of being.
Let's go outside to explore what's going on inside
Experienced with:
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ADHD
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Adolescents
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Addiction
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Anxiety
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Autism
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Career Guidance
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Coparenting
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Coping Skills
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Depression
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Education and Learning Disabilities
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Emotional Disturbance
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Family Conflict
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Grief
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Jealousy
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Life Transitions
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Marital and Premarital
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Mindfulness
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Perinatal
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Relationships
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Self Esteem
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Self-Harming
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Sleep or Insomnia
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Spirituality
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Sports Performance
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Stress
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Substance Use
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Suicidal Ideation
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Transgender
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Trauma
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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Queer and BIPOC Ally
About Me
I have a diverse background in education, medicine, performing arts, trades (welding/fabrication), sponsored snowboarding, and have lived abroad 4 separate times.
My hobbies and interests are as diverse as my career paths, but I especially adore anything to do with the outdoors! I also can’t seem to keep up with my home-baking needs (especially sourdough), and I’m ever on the lookout for my next trip off the beaten path.
The point to my sharing -I am confident that whatever your background, and whatever your beliefs, we will find common ground to connect and shift the patterns that aren't serving you.
