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About Us
Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles
At Alignment Counselling Services, we believe that everyone has the potential to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life, regardless of their history. Our counselling services promote clients finding their own way through the challenges that come with existence, and encourages them to connect with their strengths. Stripping away old narrati
At Alignment Counselling Services, we believe that everyone has the potential to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life, regardless of their history. Our counselling services promote clients finding their own way through the challenges that come with existence, and encourages them to connect with their strengths. Stripping away old narratives to embrace their true selves, in alignment with their core values.
experienced with
Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles
- Anxiety, Perfectionism, High expectations, Worrying
- Depression, Behavioural Activation
- Chronic Fatigue, Chronic illness, Spoonie Theory, Energy Conservation, Chronic Pain
- Neurodivergence in adults, ADHD, Autism
- Mood Disorders, Bipolar Attachment Trauma, Borderline, PTSD, Exposure Therapy
Inclusive, affirming counselling
Inclusive, affirming counselling
Inclusive, affirming counselling
We welcome folks of all orientations and genders, and work to be inclusive and affirming. Sex positive, and accepting of variable relationship structures. We take a whole-person approach - always.
trauma informed
Inclusive, affirming counselling
Inclusive, affirming counselling
It's central to a positive experience in counselling that you feel as comfortable as possible, and have full say in how treatment progresses, including the style of intervention. Our approach is rooted in empowerment and collaboration.
About Kate Bonnell MACP
Hello There!
Nice to meet you! I'm Kate (she/her), I'm the sole proprietor for Alignment Counselling Services. I was born in the Cowichan Valley, before moving up island when I was still young. After high school, I headed to Calgary and then was called back to Vancouver Island in 2019. My business is location in Duncan, BC and I also offer online counselling which allows more folks in rural areas between Victoria and Nanaimo access to counselling.
My outlook on life:
Personally, I don’t really subscribe to the idea of finding your one true path in life, I believe that we find meaning each day wherever we currently are. I think our goal in life is to know ourselves, and act according to what makes us passionate, and demonstrates our values. To me this means living with alignment to our authentic selves.
I am an ally for the LGBT+ community. I am trans-affirming. I am sex positive, and comfortable talking with clients in any configuration of relationships. I believe that spirituality is a universal human experience, however I am not affiliated with any particular religion. I don’t feel that our beliefs have to be the same to work together. I embrace whatever spirituality brings meaning to people’s lives, and support those who have found their beliefs have changed.
Communication Style:
I'm a relatively direct person, and really value clarity. I have a dry sense of humour when you get to know me, and love to have a good laugh. I like using metaphors and imagery in sessions to make concepts relatable, which my neurodivergent clients resonate with. I'm passionate about ethical science communication in health and psychology, so I strive to make concepts approachable to everyone and continue to educate myself. I'm a very inquisitive person, and asking a lot of questions is in my nature, especially learning how shared experiences are interpreted differently to each of us.
Personal Life:
Aside from working, I'm a big nerd who loves all things sci-fi, playing video games (especially indie games), and watching movies. I've starting making more creative things, like painting and sculpting, and try to keep a hobby-of-the-week going most of the time. I love getting to spend time in nature, and I'm planning to explore more of Vancouver island that I haven't gotten the chance to see.
Previous Experience
I worked in an injury rehab clinic as a kinesiologist for two years. in the last year of that, I worked in a traumatic injury program, which had a mix of psychologists, physiotherapists, and kinesiologists on the same team supporting people through trauma and physical injury at the same time. I realized I lit up when being able to help people with their mental health, even just by listening intently and offering a neutral, warm ear so I decided to shift paths.
From there, I began my masters in counselling psychology. While studying for my masters, I worked as a rehab assistant (support worker) on work safe files which included experience with depression and anxiety management, as well as community exposure. I've always been drawn to helping professions and advocacy, and intend to be a lifelong learner in these areas.
Therapy Styles
At Alignment Counselling Services, it's essential that the therapy style being used feels right for each individual. Depending on the person, someone might want support in their patterns of thought, getting in touch with themselves, or bettering their relationships. To support these needs, I use an eclectic approach that is rooted in the following:
- A strengths-based and self-compassion driven approach - bringing kindness to ourselves and acknowledging our unique strengths as individuals.
- Attachment theory - the concept of our early life shapes our beliefs about the world, and that we can unlearn them.
- Somatic therapy - the body/mind connection. Our body holds trauma and experiences emotions whether we are aware or not. Tuning into these signals can help us understand ourselves and our reactions better.
- Person-centered therapy - the notion that the relationship between counsellor and client is the biggest factor in healing. Being able to have a safe and positive relationship in a therapy environment can allow shifts to happen in other places of life.
- Some of the interventions I use include: CBT, IFS parts work, DBT, narrative therapy, and cognitive re-framing. Some clients enjoy having homework between sessions like worksheets or videos to watch, while others have no interest in the alphabet soup. My interventions are tailored to the person across from me and what brought them into counselling, no two sessions are the same.
Counselling Practicum
I did my clinical practicum at New Bloom Counselling in Duncan under Chloe McKinley, RCC and behavioural consultant. There I learned about private practice, neurodiversity-affirming care for folks with autism and ADHD, and person-centred counselling. In that time, I strengthened my attachment theory lens, and learned about family dynamics and human connection.
Her link is below if you'd like to learn more about her practice.
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