About Me

John Taylor - Registered Counsellor and Psychotherapist in Nanaimo, BC

Nanaimo Counsellor John Taylor

Registered Clinical Counsellor, Registered Psychotherapist    MA, RCC, CCC

“Helping You and Your Relationships Grow, Heal, and Thrive”

I have been helping people for more than 25 years―as a crisis counsellor, as a therapist in government counselling agency, as a counsellor in private practice, and as a clinical supervisor. For several years I ran the Solicitor General’s Relationship Violence Program, addressing the roots of anger, addiction, anxiety, and abuse. I have contributed to research and hosted workshops on anger and violence. I have taught psychology at the graduate level; have had articles published in professional counseling, medical, and psychology journals; and am a regular contributor to professional psychology blogs and journals. I am registered with several university gradate programs in psychology as a clinical supervisor (it is a deep privilege to help foster new therapists). I have facilitated in-depth workshops with First Nations groups on complex trauma, depression, and addictions; and I have conducted anxiety and depression workshops for Nanaimo Youth Services Association for several years.

I am acknowledged for my compassion, empathy, intuition, unique tools & skills, and my ability to help people feel better. I offer an effective counselling approach, one that transforms the roots of unease, anxiety, and relationship issues with real skills you can use right away. In counselling, finding the deeper meaning symptoms hold can help you leave unhelpful patterns behind and get on with the business of living your life. I help clients gain practical tools, refine existing skills and knowledge, and deal with future challenges.

Professional training, skill, life experience, and personal attributes make it easy for people to relate to and trust me. I completed my graduate studies in Santa Barbara, with a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology, meeting the rigorous requirements of the Marriage & Family Therapist License (MFT). My undergrad degree, my graduate studies, and my career experience are all in psychology. I have furthered my studies through post graduate training, including 8 certification programs (each requiring in-class study, 6 to 12 months of assessment, guidance, and licensing), including at Hospital settings, UBC, The Gottman Institute, and more. I have advanced certification as a Marriage and Relationship Counsellor, with over 20 years of direct experience. As a skilled and experienced counselor, I can help you get your life and relationships on the right track.

In my personal life, I am married with children; I understand first-hand the challenges and rewards of being a parent and a partner. I have lived overseas for a decade, travelling in many parts of the world. Living overseas and working as a counsellor have reinforced an understanding of how each person and each problem are unique. I am passionate about getting you the tools you need to make change a reality.

Warmth, respect, professionalism, and a deep understanding of how to transform problems are what you will find with me. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC (RCC registration number 2472) and a Registered Psychotherapist. Both licenses require me to continuously update my qualifications in order to be re-certified. Being licensed means that I am ethically guided in my work, that I am qualified to practice psychotherapy, and that I keep up-to-date with the flow of ideas in counselling. [See what makes for a good counselling experience: Trust, Safety, and Authenticity]. I am also a member of the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA #195).

I have worked in the field of therapy long enough to see how it can feel like you are spinning your wheels when only symptoms are addressed; problems return and you feel stuck (or worse, hopeless at being back at square one). Good therapy involves good listening but much more–insight, tools, and effective ways to implement and maintain changes. In individual or relationship counseling I can help you access a deeper intelligence and move through troublesome issues, discovering your own unique solutions. I do this in dialogue with you, creating effective tools you can use today. It is not necessary to be in therapy for years to make changes.

When we follow the rabbit hole deeper, new ways of organizing life are revealed. An authentic life calls from beneath the symptoms of unease; it is my privilege to accompany you on this journey.

“Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.” —Raymond Lindquist

 

Inquire for more information about psychotherapy, specialized strategies for anxiety and depression, and the keys to creating a strong & rewarding relationship.