Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?

Summer 2026: I take appointments on Thursdays and Fridays after 1pm and a few Saturdays each month. I will add a day to the schedule in the fall.

What does a first session with you look like?

A first session runs at least 75-minutes. We look over my Intake Form/Confidentiality Agreement (a digital copy is sent in advance) and I answer your questions. Then we get into it. I have an informal assessment where I try to get a sense of why you're here, what you've tried and what sorts of obstacles you face to successful counselling. There's plenty of time for open, free-flowing conversation and most people walk away feeling good after a cathartic first session.

What's your approach to working with high-functioning individuals?

My clients generally have a lot of interests and they don't want to attend sessions if they feel like a doctor's appointment. While we often hone in on a few tools that can make their life better, they also crave good conversation. People with high-functioning anxiety do need a few experiments to help them dial it back to a more comfortable level, but they're often there to talk about what's going on in the world and to talk about "existential" issues. What does that mean, exactly? The best existential theorists will tell you that it's a tricky question to answer, but you know when you've stepped in it. By and large, most people find their way to my office because some big shift has just happened and thrown things out of whack.

Pete Mackenzie, RCC

About

I’m serious about tough situations, but genuine conversation and laughter is critical to shifts in perspective. Good counselling is like Brazilian soccer: it’s not just about goals, it’s about moving the ball enjoyably and creatively. Win or lose, a game is a celebration.

I help you look at how you move through life—how your personality shows up and where it helps you or hurts you to get what you want. My approach is deep, conversational and grounded. I draw on psychology, neuroscience and philosophy (think Andrew Huberman meets Joseph Campbell), but we don't work from a workbook and I rarely break out a whiteboard. Mostly, I sit, listen and ask good questions. Sometimes we will laugh and marvel at the absurdity that life serves up.

Most of my clients are high-achievers—entrepreneurs, professionals and tradespeople—who need to till the soil of their busy lives. Many find me after a major disruption like a death, separation or job loss. A disclaimer that in these moments, even a simple question can sometimes bring a painful things to the surface quickly, so it's important to go at a good pace, keep a light heart at times and to start when you're ready. I'm not somebody who tries to surprise you or force things. I think we all have to show up when we're ready and I don't get to make that decision for you.

I work in 75-minute sessions as 50 minutes just isn’t enough time to get into it. Weekly or biweekly sessions work best and some clients come in 6-to-10-session arcs to focus on what's immediate. (Many clients take strategic breaks to "integrate" what they’ve learned before returning for "Season 2" - if you'll permit me to use a streaming analogy.) I worked in career counselling and coaching for 10 years before I shifted into a broader, more existential framework and I still love a good career conversation. People often just show up to talk about work and to "sharpen the saw". I like big, mind-bending conversations about philosophy and politics, but I still love the nitty-gritty of working with teenagers and young adults as they navigate through school or early stages of their careers.

Location: Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in Fairview/South Granville, Vancouver. Easy parking and close to SkyTrain.
Rates: $225 per 75-minute session (payable by cash or e-transfer). Most insurance providers cover RCC visits. Check with your insurance provider to ensure the RCC credential is covered
Next Steps: Book a free 15-minute phone consultation or a full session at info@pivotcounselling.ca. (Please don't include confidential information as I have no control over the confidentiality and security of email servers.) I provide an overview of my confidentiality agreement over the phone and a hard copy in the first face-to-face session.

Specialties

Life transitions
Stress management
Relationship issues
Anxiety
ADHD
Burnout
Career counselling
Homework Therapy
Breakups
Spirituality

Approaches

Existential
Biopsychosocial
Solution-focused
Humanistic / person-centered
🤏🏽CBT

Works with

Adults
Adolescents (13-17)
Working professionals
Students

Sessions

In-personPhone

Languages

English

Logistics

Fees

CA$225per session

$225 CAD for a 75-minute session. Payment by cash or e-transfer.

Office locations

Pivot Counselling: #202-1128 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G5778-863-2411

Licensed or authorized in

British Columbia

Frequently asked questions

Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?: Summer 2026: I take appointments on Thursdays and Fridays after 1pm and a few Saturdays each month. I will add a day to the schedule in the fall.
What does a first session with you look like?: A first session runs at least 75-minutes. We look over my Intake Form/Confidentiality Agreement (a digital copy is sent in advance) and I answer your questions. Then we get into it. I have an informal assessment where I try to get a sense of why you're here, what you've tried and what sorts of obstacles you face to successful counselling. There's plenty of time for open, free-flowing conversation and most people walk away feeling good after a cathartic first session.
What's your approach to working with high-functioning individuals?: My clients generally have a lot of interests and they don't want to attend sessions if they feel like a doctor's appointment. While we often hone in on a few tools that can make their life better, they also crave good conversation. People with high-functioning anxiety do need a few experiments to help them dial it back to a more comfortable level, but they're often there to talk about what's going on in the world and to talk about "existential" issues. What does that mean, exactly? The best existential theorists will tell you that it's a tricky question to answer, but you know when you've stepped in it. By and large, most people find their way to my office because some big shift has just happened and thrown things out of whack.

Credentials

MA, Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University, 2018
Strong Interest Inventory, Psychometrics, 2010
Diploma of Counselling Science, Counsellor Training Institute of Canada, 2003