Wade R. Alexander
Online Counselling Therapy: MN, MA, RCC-ACS, CCC, RMFT
Wade Alexander
MN, MA, RCC-ACS, CCC, RMFT
About Wade
Professional Background
I am an active member of the British Columbia Association of Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC-ACS, registration number 15616). I also hold a Canadian Certified Counsellor designation with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCC, registration number 10003356), and I’m a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist (RMFT, registration number 20171038) with the Canadian Association for Couple and Family Therapy. Additionally, I’m a Non-Practising member of the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (RN, registration number 0848835). I offer compassionate online counselling therapy backed by these extensive qualifications.
Mental Health experience
With over 30 years of psychiatric and mental health nursing experience, I’ve spent most of my career helping people with mental health and addiction issues including those who were incarcerated and returning to the community. I’ve worked with clients dealing with co-occurring disorders, including clients who have health issues that encompass both mental health and substance use conditions. My expertise and skills in counselling have enabled me to support a diverse group of clients facing various mental health challenges.
Treatment Interests
My areas-of-treatment interest and experience are extensive and include working with all ages of individuals who face:
• Abandonment • Attachment concerns • Abuse • Addictions • ADHD • Anger • Anxiety and panic • Burnout • Depression • Eating disorders • Family challenges • Health and wellness • Grief and loss • Infidelity • 2SLGBTQQIA+ support • Marriage and relationship challenges • Men’s issues • Parent and youth challenges • Physical illness • Post-traumatic stress disorder • Issues with self-esteem, suicide or self-harm • Sexual health and identity • Sexual assault and perpetration of sexual assault • Sexuality • Trauma
Workshops and Online Counselling Therapy
I’ve co-facilitated workshops on burnout, vicarious trauma, grief, and loss. Currently, I provide online counselling to individuals, couples, and families across British Columbia and other Canadian provinces. Wade R. Alexander Counselling will soon include online group therapy sessions.
Education, Training and Professional Focus
My Educational Journey
Starting with a practical nursing diploma from the St. Boniface School of Nursing in Manitoba, followed by a general nursing diploma from Douglas College in BC, I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UBC. Specializing in mental health and addictions, I completed a Master’s degree in Advanced Nursing Practice at the University of Alberta. There, I developed a residential treatment program for women with dual diagnoses of depression and substance abuse.
Continuing Education and Current Focus
During the last decade in federal corrections, I earned a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, and subsequently completed several certification training programs, specializing in PTSD and complex trauma interventions. This led me to open Wade R. Alexander Counselling. I had been practicing online therapy before the pandemic, which then shifted my practice to be exclusively online counselling therapy.
Now, I focus on helping individuals (youth and adults), couples/relationships, and families to improve their lives through a person-centred approach built of trust, respect, and integrity. I believe in the pursuit of ongoing education and competency in the field of counselling psychology, and I continue to take ongoing academic coursework.
Specialization and Training
Specializing in PTSD and complex trauma, I earned a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. Certified in trauma-informed psychotherapy, I use evidence-based interventions like EMDR, FLASH, and Progressive Counting therapies. These techniques help reduce symptoms related to traumatic or distressing memories, and have shown positive outcomes for conditions like anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences (Maxfield 2019). I also provide additional evidence-based trauma interventions with ASSYST and R-TEP/G-TEP. Click here for a full list of my Specialized Counselling Therapies.
As a certified Focusing-Oriented Therapist (FOT) I can also provide support for Indigenous clients in treating and healing from complex trauma including cultural and or inter-generational trauma using the Indigenous Focusing-Oriented Therapy model (IFOT).
Personal Background
Originally from Treaty 2 Territory in northern Manitoba, I have a diverse cultural background that includes Scottish and Ukrainian/Romanian ancestry. My life is shared with my partner, Gary, and our trusted family dog. Our blended family consists of three adult children and five grandchildren living in BC and Alberta. Known for being fair, direct, and inclusive, I strive to make a positive impact in the world. I enjoy outdoor activities, fishing, and learning about different cultures through travel.
Commitment to Ongoing Education
I firmly believe in the pursuit of ongoing education and competency, I continue to take academic coursework to stay current in the field of counselling psychology.
Approach to Therapy
Therapy is approached through an attachment-based, trauma-informed, and gender-affirming lens. Valuing the roles of culture, diversity, and spirituality in counselling, I encourage clients to share their worldviews to better support their needs. My person-centred approach is built on trust, respect, and integrity.
I Look Forward to Meeting You
I’m excited to meet you and help you develop a treatment plan to navigate the next steps in your journey. My goal is to provide a holistic and supportive approach to life’s challenges.