Caitlin Allen, Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) through the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counselling (BCACC) . I have completed a Masters in Counselling (MC) degree and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree majoring in psychology. I am a trained trauma therapist and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist offering trauma-informed care.

I firmly believe in the strength and resilient of all those I am fortunate enough to be a part of their journey with. I am passionate about the field of Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), which is the changes that we can experience as a result of highly challenging or traumatic life experiences. PTG is an area of research I was involved in for my graduate thesis research study I completed and is an understanding that provides me hope in the darkest moments that we experience.

I am grateful to be able to serve the Sea to Sky community. I offer in-person therapy in Squamish and online therapy throughout British Columbia.

Lived Experience

I am fortunate to be from the West Coast being raised in North Vancouver and having lived throughout the Sea to Sky communities of Whistler and Squamish, as well as in Victoria on Vancouver Island. I currently live in Squamish with my family of my husband, toddler son, and dog. I spend as much time as I can in nature, doing activities that ground me, and with my loved ones. You can often find me running, hiking, snowboarding, or laughing/playing with my son and dog.

When I am able to, I try to have as many adventures as I can that involve a beach, mountain, or ocean. Prior to moving to Squamish, I lived abroad in Nicaragua with my family where I fell in love with surfing, which was a tether that grounded me in a new environment and forced me to mindfully practice courage. My experience here reminded me of our ability to draw on our resourcefulness, resilience, and ability to adapt when outside of our comfort zone.

I am motivated to support those who are facing challenges of trauma and mental health responses due to my lived experiences. I have experienced, both personally and professionally, the ability to change, grow, and receive wisdom from the wounding and suffering we encounter in our lives. I am eternally grateful for the therapeutic support, relationships, and mentorship I have received throughout my life. I balance my passion and commitment to my work with being present with my loved ones and embracing the lightness or more playful sides of life.

I value humor on all spectrums (including dark humor), which naturally finds its way into the counselling space in an authentic and relational manner. I find meaning and purpose in being an advocate and supporter for those I work with valuing being able to hold hope in the darkest moments.

Professional Experience as a Registered Clinical Counsellor

I have worked in the mental health field for twelve years with adults, children, youth, parents/caregivers, and families through government bodies, non-profit organizations, schools, educational settings, and private practice. I have extensive experience working with individuals of all ages and their families who have experienced complex trauma and mental health responses or psychiatric challenges through attachment-based and trauma-informed approaches. I am grateful for my current work with first responders and the advanced training I have been able to take through First Responder Health of Occupational Awareness Training for Therapists.

Through previously working in a variety of mental health settings (including in-patient psychiatric and hospital settings) with a range of mental health professionals, medical professionals, and first responders, I have an understanding of the impact of occupational stress, vicarious trauma, and shift work sleep deprivation on those who work in these fields. I hold a deep respect for all first responders and health care or medical professionals, as well as for their loved ones.

My Approach as a Therapist

My therapeutic approach promotes safety, dignity, collaboration, non-judgment, respect, insight, and growth. I view my role as a therapist as holding space for the pain underneath a client's experiences, acknowledging the impact of the pain and losses they have had to endure, and working with clients to achieve significant healing.

    • Attachment

    • Family systems

    • Trauma-informed and cultural awareness

    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

    • EMDR Early Intervention (EEI)

    • Attachment-Informed EMDR (AI-EMDR) and Attachment-Focused EMDR

    • Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed EMDR

    • Interpersonal neurobiology and nervous system regulation

    • Polyvagal Theory

    • Mindfulness

    • Parts and inner child work

    • Harm reduction and crisis intervention

    • Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and first responders mental health

    • Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)/Response, crisis intervention, and early intervention responses

    • Childhood, developmental, preverbal, single-incident, adult, and occupational trauma

    • Post-Traumatic Growth 

    • Bowlby and Parkes’ Four Stages of Grief and Wolfelt’s Six Tasks of Grieving

    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma - EMDR Consulting and EMDR International Association 

    • Early EMDR Intervention (EEI) - Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP) and Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) - EMDR Professional Training and EMDR International Association

    • Trauma-informed care for First-Responders trauma therapy (Certified Clinical Trauma Professional designation - CCTP)

    • Occupational Awareness Training for Therapists (both understanding emergency worker trauma and understanding firefighter culture and trauma courses) - First Responder Health

    • Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) - Emergency Response Association Canada

    • Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

    • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

    • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

    • Attachment-based family and parenting/caregiver support

    • Expressive art therapies (art and sand tray)

    • Synergetic Play Therapy (SPT) for children/youth and parents/caregivers