Hi, I'm Arika.
(She/Her)
I'm glad you're here.
Finding the right counsellor can feel overwhelming, and I know reading an "About Me" page probably isn't the highlight of your day. My hope is that by the time you finish reading, you'll have a better sense of who I am, what matters to me, and whether we'd be a good fit.
I am a pre-licensed counsellor currently working under the supervision of Dr. Christopher Brown, RCC.
Why I became a counsellor
I've always been fascinated by people.
Not just by what they do, but by why they do it.
That curiosity first led me to psychology and later to working as a behavioural interventionist supporting autistic children and their families. It also led me into the world of health and fitness, where I worked as a certified personal trainer and competitive bodybuilder.
Although those experiences seem very different, they all taught me the same thing: meaningful change doesn't come from simply trying harder. It comes from understanding ourselves first.
That belief is what eventually brought me to counselling.
The Way I See People
One of the things I love most about this work is helping people make sense of themselves.
So many of us spend years wondering why we overthink, avoid conflict, struggle to set boundaries, or keep ending up in the same relationship patterns.
I don't see those experiences as signs that something is wrong with you. More often than not, they developed for a reason.
Taking the time to understand those patterns can create space for something different.
Outside the Therapy Room
When I'm not working with clients, you'll probably find me staying active, spending time with the people I care about, searching for a new favourite coffee shop, or planning my next trip. I love good food, getting outside, travelling somewhere new, and finding a balance between having a plan and occasionally doing absolutely nothing.
Health and fitness have been a big part of my life for many years and continue to be important to me, but my relationship with them has evolved over time. For me, taking care of yourself isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about finding ways to support both your physical and mental well-being while still leaving room to actually enjoy your life.
Education and Credentials
-
I completed my Master of Counselling at City University, where my graduate research focused on late ADHD diagnosis in women. That work deepened my understanding of how often people spend years believing they're lazy, disorganized, or "not trying hard enough," when what may have been missing was understanding.
I also hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood Education, which gave me a strong foundation in human development, behaviour, and the ways our experiences can shape how we see ourselves and relate to others.
-
My path to counselling wasn't a straight line, and I think that's part of what I bring to the work. My interest in mental health started early, including running mental health clubs in high school, but my work experience has taken me through a few different worlds.
I spent many years working in the restaurant industry, worked as a behavioural interventionist supporting autistic children and their families, and later became a certified personal trainer, working closely with people around health, fitness, motivation, and body image. I eventually brought those experiences together through my clinical counselling internship and into the work I do today.
Each experience taught me something different about connecting with people, meeting them where they are, and recognizing that the same approach won't work for everyone.
-
While I work with a wide range of concerns, there are a few areas I'm particularly drawn to.
ADHD in Women & Late Diagnosis
My graduate research focused on late ADHD diagnosis in women, including the experience of looking back with new understanding and letting go of years of self-blame.Athletes & Performance Pressure
Drawing on my background as a personal trainer and competitive bodybuilder, I'm particularly interested in sport, identity, performance pressure, injury, and life beyond competition.Family Dynamics & Emotionally Immature Parents
I'm interested in how growing up with emotionally immature or difficult family dynamics can shape adult relationships, boundaries, self-worth, and the roles we take on with others.Body Image & Self-Worth
I have a particular interest in the relationship between body image, exercise, food, appearance, and the way we learn to value ourselves.Perfectionism & Burnout
I often work with people who appear to be doing well on the outside but feel exhausted by high expectations, overthinking, difficulty slowing down, or the sense that what they do is never quite enough.
Booking a Session
Finding the right counsellor is important, and I don't expect you to know whether we're a good fit from a website alone.
That's why I offer a free 20-minute phone or video consultation. It's an opportunity for us to talk about what's bringing you to counselling, answer any questions you might have, and decide together whether working together feels like the right next step, without any pressure or obligation.
I see clients in person in Burnaby at Burnaby Therapy Collective, in Kitsilano, and online throughout British Columbia.
If you'd like to learn more about session fees, insurance coverage, or billing, you can find those details on my Rates page.
