Jennifer Lyall, MSW, RCC, IASTshe/her

"Just be real" is the phrase I come back to again and again, in my therapeutic work and in life. Discussing difficult topics is hard enough without feeling like you're not truly being heard. I grew up in a small town in the East Kootenays of B.C., and that background gives me a genuine understanding of this community: its rhythms, its needs, and the realities of shift-work schedules and small-town confidentiality. I hold a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work with a Specialization in Clinical Counselling, and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Internationally Credentialed SandTray Therapist (IAST).

I work with children, adolescents, and adults across Sparwood, Fernie, and Elkford. My practice draws on a wide range of approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, narrative therapy, mindfulness-based techniques, somatic and body-based work, play therapy, and SandTray Therapy. SandTray is a particular passion of mine: it gives voice to experiences stored in non-verbal ways, promoting deeper insight and faster processing for clients who find it hard to express themselves through conversation alone. I also offer Caregiver Support sessions, because I believe that involving the people central to a child's daily life is critical to that child's success in therapy.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and practical. I balance validation of where you are right now with concrete strategies you can actually use, whether that means building an exposure ladder, working through a worry jar at bedtime, or exploring the roots of long-held patterns. You are always in charge of your session: what we focus on, how we work, and the pace we move at. Healing comes in many forms, and I am here to help you find the one that fits.

Outside of the office I spend time with my two teenage children, get outdoors as much as possible, read, craft, and drink really good coffee. I am always learning something new, and I look forward to being part of your counselling journey.