Rachel Newby

 

Hi, I’m Rachel (she/they).

I am a queer, cis, currently able-bodied, white settler of Scottish and Ukrainian heritage. I was born and raised on Treaty Seven territory (known colonially as “Calgary”), the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, and the Métis Nation. I currently live as an uninvited guest on the traditional and unceded homelands of the Songhees, WSANEC, and L’kwungen peoples, in what is colonially called “Victoria”.

I root my counselling approach in a person-centred perspective, informed by intersectional feminism, sex-positivity, harm-reduction practices, and trauma-focused care. I strive to include, and live by, anti-oppressive practices. I dream of a world in which folks no longer dismiss their authentic selves to meet the demands of oppressive systems. I am committed to a lifelong journey of understanding how to disrupt structural power imbalances to create a world that is safer, slower, and community-oriented to meet the needs of everyone.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Science from the University of Victoria, as well as a Master’s degree in Counselling from City University of Seattle.

My areas of focus include:

  • Ethical Non-Monogamy, kink, and non-traditional relationship dynamics

  • Communication and interpersonal skills

  • Identity exploration

  • Sex, pleasure, and intimacy

  • Sex work

  • Chronic illness and disability

I believe all challenges must be located within their context to be understood. Our unique perspectives, identities, values, and beliefs influence our experiences and the narratives we hold. Together we can understand how you have adapted to your context and the systems we exist in. We can explore if narratives or patterns are still serving you, where it is safe enough to create distance from oppressive systems, and tenderly honour the places where you still have to operate within them. I believe you are the expert of your own reality, and your experience of life is unique and valuable.

I approach counselling as a collaborative process. In our work together, we will each bring perspectives, experiences, identities, and beliefs to explore how your experiences have shaped you. Meaning, I will bring my own experiences, sense of humour, and values to sessions. I will do my best to show up in a way for you to feel welcomed, seen, cared for, and respected. Counselling is about co-creating a safe and supportive relationship, so I strive to be as authentic as possible. I am passionate about helping folks explore personally fulfilling ways of being and finding pleasure within their existence. My goal is for us to foster an experience to safely explore what has been on your mind, and to connect to your inherent wisdom to begin creating the life you want to live.

When I am not working, I enjoy sewing and knitting at home with my cat (who you will most likely see in session), listening to music, cooking, having dinner with friends, and being in nature.

I work with individuals aged 16+ and couples. If you would like to see if we would be a good fit together, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.

Session Fee: $100 per 50-minute session. Subject to applicable sales tax. Limited sliding scale may be available.