About Susanne, MA CCC

Susanne Gilby, Canadian Certified Counsellor

Susanne works collaboratively with youth (16+) and adults, offering specialized, empathic guidance and support rooted in person-centered, trauma-informed, and somatic-based approaches for a wide variety of challenges, including anxiety, depression, and acute and complex trauma. 

With a deep-rooted commitment to empowering individuals on their journey to emotional healing and self-discovery, Susanne’s passion for helping others and genuine commitment to fostering emotional well-being is reflected in her compassionate guidance and personalized approach. Focused on empowering individuals to navigate life’s challenges with newfound strength and resilience, she prioritizes creating a safe and non-judgmental space for exploration and growth.

Susanne believes in the intrinsic connection between mind and body, and incorporates somatic-based practices to facilitate a deeper awareness of the body’s response to emotional stimuli. She employs a number of skills in her therapeutic practice and works from an eclectic perspective, drawing from a number of approaches. Three key specializations that Susanne offers are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Expressive Movement Therapy:

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful approach aimed at helping alleviate distress associated with traumatic memories by using bilateral stimulation (usually side-to-side eye movement). This allows the brain and nervous system to better process these unresolved memories and integrate the healing so as to allow for more psychological and emotional freedom. Susanne uses a somatic-based approach with her EMDR practice and works closely with you throughout these steps to ensure you’re supported and well-resourced.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) aims to help individuals build new skills and strategies to manage emotional extremes and self-destructive behaviours. Utilizing DBT, Susanne helps her clients develop four key skill sets for a more well-rounded and resilient life: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and a greater tolerance for distress. Susanne also offers DBT groups, which provide the opportunity to learn and create change with like-minded people going through similar experiences.

Expressive Movement Therapy: In our fast-paced world we can often find ourselves “caught in our head” by overthinking, ruminating, predicting, worrying and stressing. In many ways we’ve lost touch with the completeness of our experience from head to toe. Expressive Movement Therapy is an excellent way to get out of being “stuck” in your head and to reintegrate a full-body (mind, body, spirit) way of moving through the world. Through a safe and supportive process of guiding you into your body’s movements (sometimes small movements, sometimes big, but always at a pace that feels comfortable for you), Susanne helps you to bring awareness to – and explore – emotions, behaviours, habits, and sensations held in the body that can often be functioning on auto-pilot and be blocking you from living a more authentic, balanced, and peaceful life. With greater attunement to your experience you’re better able to release tension, resolve old traumas, listen to the wisdom within yourself, and make more effective decisions to create the change you desire.

Approaches: EMDR, Somatic-Based Practices, Expressive Movement, DBT, CBT, Attachment-Based Techniques, Mindfulness Practices and Dreamwork. Susanne also facilitates groups for DBT Skill Development (online) and groups for Expressive Movement (in-person). Please see our Groups page for more information or contact Susanne or our admin staff directly.

Populations: Youth (16+) and Adults.

Specializations: Acute and Complex Trauma, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Self-Esteem Issues, Shame, Life-Transitions, Career Change, Emotional Dysregulation, Communication Skills, ADHD, and Borderline Personality Disorder.

Educational Background: Susanne is a Canadian Certified Counsellor registered through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Her educational background includes a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and a Post Degree Diploma in Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions through Camosun College.

Beyond the work: Susanne enjoys spending time with her friends, family, long-time partner, and two cats. An avid reader with a passion for technology and the arts, she enjoys listening to music, singing, watching films, video gaming, creating art, and is a member of the local dance community. Finding solace in connecting with nature, Susanne enjoys spending time outdoors in nature and growing an abundance of plants. 

Quote: “My integrative approach to therapy emphasizes the holistic nature of healing and I encourage clients to explore their inner worlds through a combination of traditional talk therapy and experiential modalities.”

Susanne Gilby, Canadian Certified Counsellor at NeurAlive Counselling & Neurofeedback. Accepting New Clients In Victoria and Virtually.