Shadi K

 

Hi, I'm Shadi (they/them).

* My caseload is currently full and I am unable to accept new clients*

I am a queer, non-white settler of Indo-Caribbean heritage.  I was born and raised on Treaty One territory (known colonially as “Winnipeg”), the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.  I currently live on the traditional and unceded homelands of the L’kwungen peoples, now known as the Songhees and Esquimault Nations, in what is colonially called “Victoria, BC”.

I identify as genderqueer, pansexual and polyamorous, and I am also neurodivergent and chronically ill.  As an intersectional feminist, I am committed to dismantling systems and structures of oppression, and supporting marginalized folks to navigate the impacts of these.  I come from an anti-oppression and anti-violence perspective, using principles of response-based practice and transformative justice.  I am continually learning how to decolonize my practice, and strive to provide culturally relevant support for my BIPOC community members.

I am a Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. I have a Master of Education in Counselling from the University of Victoria. I also have a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Science and a passion for supporting students and life-long learners.  I have been supporting our Counselling Interns as the Practicum Coordinator for Our Landing Place since 2024.

For ten years I worked at the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre, where I assisted individual clients in processing trauma; facilitated psychoeducational and experiential groups; and provided clinical supervision.  In this context, I developed competency working with Two-spirit, trans and nonbinary folks, people with traumatic brain injuries, and neurodiverse folks.  I am also sex-work friendly, both in my counselling practice and personal life, having friends and loved ones who are current or former sex workers.

In my practice, I provide individual support for older youth (15+) and adults in the following areas:

  • Trauma (including intergenerational trauma, sexualized violence, and narcissistic and emotional abuse)

  • Post-traumatic stress

  • Gender identity and expression

  • Sexuality and sexual orientation

  • Ethical non-monogamy and other non-traditional relationship/family structures

  • Chronic illness and disability

  • Experiences of racism or racial discrimination/violence

  • Learning strategies and academic support

  • Depression and anxiety

  • Life transitions and identity exploration

I am trained in and use the modalities of Somatic Transformation and EMDR (eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing) to help people process trauma.  From a trauma-informed lens, we will work together to make sure you have a sufficient amount of safety and stability in your life before we begin digging too deeply.  I want to help you learn the skills and strategies to manage the thoughts, feelings and body responses that might come up when working through trauma, so you can feel empowered to do this work without becoming overwhelmed.

Outside of work, I enjoy growing medicinal and food plants (especially Caribbean hot peppers!), singing and playing piano, learning the guitar, learning languages, and joyful or restorative movement such as dance, yoga, and walking in nature.  

If you would like to chat and see if we would be a good fit to work together, you can book a free 15-minute online or phone consultation with our online booking system, or by emailing me.

Session Fee: $200 (plus applicable tax) per 50-minute session.