Meet Natasha Nolan
Intern Therapist
BA, MA Counselling Psychology
Counselling Therapist
Working under the supervision of a
Registered Psychotherapist
Growing up in a military family meant moving often, and I was frequently the new kid in the room. Being the new person taught me to pay close attention to people; to how they connect, what makes them different, and what makes us alike. I became fascinated by people’s stories and by the many different ways we can experience the same world. That curiosity about humanness is ultimately what brought me here, completing my practicum as part of my Master’s in Counselling Psychology (MACP).
In a funny way, this path has been trying to find me for a long time. In junior high, a career assessment told me I was suited to becoming a grief counsellor. I was not impressed. I wanted to be a police officer! What could a computer quiz possibly know about my future that I didn't? So, of course, I didn’t listen and took a few career detours before getting here.
In 2017, I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Psychology and Aboriginal Studies. I then worked in veterinary medicine for several years (plot twist, I know). I loved the animals, but I came to appreciate the human side of the work just as much. I learned that caring for an animal also means caring for the person holding the other end of the leash (or the carrier). I learned how to sit with people through some of their happiest moments and some of their hardest ones. Eventually I decided that’s what I want to do for the rest of my life. I guess that career assessment was right all along, damn…
My Approach to Therapy
Truthfully, my approach to therapy is still making itself known to me, but I expect my approach will keep growing and changing as I do. What I do know is the kind of person I will consistently be in the room with you.
I’m equal parts pragmatic and intuitive. I am scientifically minded and am informed by neurobiology. I’m Type A, and I want our time together to feel useful. I’m also deeply open to the things we can’t always explain or measure. I believe we can be grounded in what we know while still remaining curious about what we don’t.
I also believe that people need people. Because of that, I am deeply relational in my work. I am interested in how you experience connection, disconnection, belonging, and loneliness. I believe the relationship we build together can become a place to learn about how you move through the world and your relationships outside of therapy.
I can almost guarantee that humour will find its way into our sessions. It's okay to laugh, even in the middle of something hard. When the kettle is screaming, sometimes we need to take it off the burner for a moment. We can laugh, breathe, and then come back to the heat.
I love metaphors (clearly), stories, music, books, food, dance, and the things people create to make sense of their experiences. If you have a hobby, a song, a character, a game, or a seemingly strange analogy that helps you understand yourself, I want to know about it. Those things can be windows into parts of ourselves that are difficult to reach through conversation alone.
And listen, I want you to know what is happening behind the curtain. In fact, with me, there isn’t one. I am not a wizard or someone with a secret formula for “fixing” you. When I suggest an intervention or introduce an idea, I will tell you why and invite you to ask questions. I will be honest about what I know and where I am still learning. I am open to getting things wrong, and I invite you to get them wrong too because that’s how we learn. Really…therapy is the perfect place to be imperfect.
Ultimately, my approach is consistent in one way: I will show up as myself. Beyond that, this process is meant to be fluid. Together, we will figure out what works for you.
Clients I Work With
I work with adults of all ages, adolescents ages 13 and up, and older adults. I am drawn to adolescence and later adulthood, as these stages of life can bring big questions about who we are, where we belong, and where we are going.
My areas of focus include, but are not limited to:
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Major life changes and transitions
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Identity, direction, and finding a sense of purpose
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Life planning and decision-making
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Anxiety and depression
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Grief and loss
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Relationship challenges, breakups, and attachment
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Loneliness and disconnection
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Bullying and its lasting effects
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Stress and burnout related to work or school
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Stress related to chronic illness and pain
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Caregiver stress
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Experiences unique to first responders
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Military family life, including supporting children and adolescents in military families
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Emotional challenges related to adolescence and growing up
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The emotional and psychological impact of hormonal changes and transitions, including puberty, PMS, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause, and aging
This list is not exhaustive. Please reach out if you are interested in exploring a potential therapeutic relationship or to book a free 20-minute consultation to inquire if we may be a good fit. I look forward to meeting with you!
Modalities I Use
My work is grounded in relational, existential, and humanistic perspectives. I take a trauma-informed, integrative, and creative approach, drawing from Relational-Cultural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy. These approaches offer me different ways of understanding what a client may be experiencing, as well as different tools to draw from in our work together.
This is not an exhaustive list. I am committed to continuing to learn and expand my clinical approach and ways of thinking in response to the needs of my clients.
I bring creativity into the therapeutic space and make room for you to bring your own world, interests, and language with you. Music, movies, books, YouTube videos, characters, games, art, memories, hobbies, or anything else that helps you express or understand yourself is welcome in our work. You don't have to translate your entire experience into “therapy language” for me. Sometimes a song, a story, a favourite film, a piece of art, or something you've created can say what words can't, and I welcome all of it.
Contact Me
I would be happy to answer any questions or curiosities you may have about therapy with me. Please contact me via email or book a consultation to see if my approach to healing fits your needs and goals.
Call or Text
