Tell Us Your Story. What motivated you to start your business? Why are you passionate about what you do?

Since my youngest days, I’ve been interested in the psychology of people. Endlessly fascinating and curious, humans embody both a complexity and simplicity that intrigues me. Then, in 2008, as a homeschooling mother of 2, I suddenly found myself divorced, alone and confused. My marriage had dissolved and I needed a new path forward. After being out of the workforce for a few years, I knew I wanted something that would hold my interest, so I went back to school for counselling psychology. Armed with my new degree, I first worked for an agency for a few years, all the time following a trail of bread crumbs to find out exactly what created thriving relationships, and there I began to figure out why my marriage hadn’t succeeded. I was hooked! Coming from an entrepreneurial family, starting a business to pursue this passion was an obvious choice. From that time to now, my passion and drive are still forefront, ever-focused on providing support that emphasises positive relationships and communication., and I’ve just celebrated 12 years with the same wonderful man.

Describe and demonstrate, including metrics, your community support. How do you support and uplift your community, and how do they show that support in return? Minimum 25 words, maximum 2500 characters.

Since the founding of Comox Valley Counselling, we have actively worked to support our community offering individual, relationship and family counselling. Anchored by a belief that a secure relationship with oneself and others is the central tenent of a good life, our team has worked to maintain the highest standards of care and stayed informed in the latest scientific research to help reduce client's distress and increase life satisfaction. From our early beginnings, with 2 therapists sharing a small office, we have experienced ever-increasing demand for our services, which exploded during the pandemic. Comox Valley Counselling has since expanded into a satellite location, now with 9 offices and 11 therapists, including an Intern program where we offer low-cost counselling to our community.

Why do you deserve to win the Business Impact award?

Since our beginning in 2012, Comox Valley Counselling has had a mission to support people to live their best lives by emphasizing positive relationships and good communication. In striving to meet these aspirations, we have clearly identified the key importance of strong and secure connections to both self and community. Enhancing life satisfaction and work productivity are forever interdependent. In supporting these high standards, CVC works to provide a thriving environment for everyone who walks in our doors - whether within our team or with other community professionals or a client. In these ways, we hope to contribute in valuable and meaningful ways to social change and well being and to support people finding their path towards health and healing.

Tell Us About Your Culture. How are you creating a sustainable and healthy workplace where everyone feels welcome? Provide examples of leadership you show in interactions with clients, vendors, contractors, staff and others.

Inclusion and understanding is the very foundation of our practice and we strive to do this in every interaction and with every person we meet. This extends to our workplace structure where safety and inclusivity are paramount. Our practice is anchored by the belief that a kind, safe and supportive “work family,” that focuses attention on positive relationships and communication within our team, facilities staff wellness, as well as more positive and maintainable outcomes for our broader community. In keeping with this model, CVC emphasizes close ties within the team to foster connection and wellbeing. In our consistent aspiration to meet and maintain the highest standards in continuity of care, we endeavour to further our objective of a healthy workplace culture through monthly consult gatherings. Within the structure of consult, therapists support each other and are invited to bring their professional as well as their personal lives within a safe and supportive environment. Additionally, we utilize "theme" days to invite therapists to bring their own passions forward to this same group. Therapists are also able to dictate their own schedules, organize their vacation time and set their own fees. Further, we support friendly and welcoming informal gatherings in the office, work to meet outside of the office for social gatherings, and often welcome the fresh flowers and baking that appear! Working from the model of both kindness and professionalism, CVC hopes to contribute in meaningful ways to social change, both within our office walls and within our community.

Why do you think you should win the Premier’s People’s Choice Award?

Since the founding of Comox Valley Counselling, we have actively worked to support our community offering individual, relationship and family counselling. From 2 therapists sharing a small office space, we’ve seen and felt the call for increasing high standards of care informed by the latest scientific research. Following this demand for meaningful social support, and largely supported by word-of-mouth referrals, we are now one of the largest multidisciplinary teams of health care providers north of Namaimo, offering a broad range of full-services allowing us to respond to our community in a timely and exemplary manner.