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My Story

 

My name is Harkamal  ( Har-kam-al ) and I live, work and play on the unceded ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.   I identify as an able-bodied,  cis-gendered man  of South Asian descent.  My family immigrated to Canada from the countryside of Punjab, India and I am a first generation settler.  

I believe in the transformative power of therapy because I have experienced its healing effects firsthand. Throughout my youth and adulthood years I experienced hardships and adversities related to issues concerning belonging, significant life transitions, trauma and loss.  Although I was fortunate to have the support of family and loved ones,  I had to acknowledge I was not able to heal without the support of therapy. 

It was through therapy that  I discovered the healing effects of a compassionate, collaborative therapeutic presence.  It provided me with a safe space to help manage difficult  emotions, connect with my body,  feelings and thoughts as well as  process trauma and find healing.  The experience planted a seed in me and made me deeply appreciate the role therapy can play in providing the necessary conditions to heal. 

 

My Path

 

My journey into the world of counseling began during my work as a support worker in community outpatient addictions and mental health programs. In those roles, I had the privilege of providing social services to at-risk populations, including youth and adults. Witnessing the resilience and strength of individuals facing challenges ignited a deep desire within me to pursue counseling professionally.

Motivated by my firsthand experience of therapy's transformative potential, I decided to embark on a path of professional growth. I pursued a graduate degree in counseling psychology, which marked the beginning of my formal training in psychotherapy.

Much of my career spanning the last decade has been devoted to working in an inner-city clinic setting alongside other healthcare professionals, providing counseling services for people who identify as marginalized and presenting with complex mental health and psychosocial needs. In this enriching experience, I've had the opportunity to work with different populations, including at-risk youth, adults, and older adults, addressing a wide range of issues : depression, anxiety,  substance use, behavioral addictions, grief, loss, effects of trauma and systemic injustices. 

I have also volunteered counseling services with VAST (Vancouver Association of Survivors of Torture), offering trauma-informed counseling to refugees and asylum seekers. This role significantly enhanced my grasp of cultural humility and informed my practice within the broader framework of social justice, counseling, and human rights.

Throughout my career, I've also worked as a group facilitator.  I've facilitated groups for people effected by substance use providing a nurturing environment for individuals seeking recovery.  Grief therapy groups have been an essential part of my practice, helping clients navigate the challenges of loss with empathy and understanding.  Additionally, I've conducted group therapy focusing on healing from the effects of trauma, offering psychoeducation and skills-building based on the first stage of trauma recovery from Judith Herman’s model.

In the last three years, I have also started to work with couples and families. I recognize the power of relational healing and the impact it can have on individual well-being. To enhance my work in this area, I completed specialized training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Gottman Couples Therapy. These evidence-based approaches have deepened my understanding of relationships and equipped me with effective tools to help couples reconnect and strengthen their bonds.

 

My Counselling Approach and Ethical Stance

 

Over the years, my work with marginalized individuals has significantly influenced my counseling approach and ethical stance. I am deeply committed to integrating intersectionality and anti-oppressive practices into my work. Recognizing that each individual carries a complex web of intersecting identities, experiences, and social contexts, I tailor my counseling to be inclusive and sensitive to these dynamics. It is essential to me that clients feel seen and heard, free from judgment and discrimination.

I am also dedicated to decolonizing counseling practices, acknowledging and challenging the historical and cultural influences that have shaped mental health services.  By critically examining these influences, I aim to provide counseling that respects diverse cultural perspectives and fosters a sense of cultural humility. 

My counseling approach can best be described as collaborative, person-centered, culturally appropriate,  trauma-informed, and strength-based, rooted in an ethic of social justice.  I believe that clients are the experts of their own lives, and my role is to walk alongside them as a supportive guide.  I draw from evidence-based modalities, tailoring interventions to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual, couple, or family. 

In our sessions, we will work together to explore the underlying factors contributing to your challenges, build practical coping skills, challenge negative thought patterns, and foster resilience. Throughout our journey, I will strive to empower you to navigate life's obstacles with confidence and self-compassion.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my background and counseling approach. I am deeply honored to walk alongside you on the path towards greater understanding, connection, and well-being.

 

Therapeutic Modalities

 

Therapeutic Modalities I draw on the following modalities and philosophies into my work:  Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,  Compassion-Foscussed Therapy,  Acceptance and Commmitment Therapy,  Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention, Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Gottman Couples Therapy