Sydne Smith, MCPAT, RCC

Hi, I'm Sydne (she/her), a Registered Clinical Counsellor (BCACC) and Professional Art Therapist (CATA) with a Master of Counselling Psychology – Art Therapy degree from Adler University. I support adults healing from the effects of complex trauma and relational trauma as well as folks navigating grief, loss and life transitions. Many of my clients self-identify as female, nonbinary, or queer/LGBTQ+; however, I support individuals from all walks of life and orientations. 

At the core of my practice is the belief that we all have innate wisdom and ability to heal and grow. Within the context of a safe, empathic, authentic, and supportive relationship, individuals can safely explore, process, and integrate their experiences leading to growth, healing, and experiencing deeper connection with oneself, others, and the world.

Visit my site
Visit my site

About me

I am a cisgender, neurodivergent, queer counsellor and art therapist – or as I prefer: counselling art therapist. My journey to counselling art therapy began with my two greatest loves in life – human beings and art. I have always enjoyed connecting with people, listening to their stories, and I was privileged while growing up to witness the healing that can happen when people find acceptance and hear, perhaps for the first time, that who they are is not wrong. I also have a personal understanding of the healing and supportive nature of the creative process and have more than 20 years’ experience working with mixed media, creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional visual art. Becoming a counselling art therapist was a natural progression of these two loves. 

On a more personal note, I grew up running barefoot in the forest and the best way to spend a summer day was at the swimming hole in the creek (it still is), which fostered a deep respect and love for the natural world. I believe interacting with nature is a supportive relationship that nurtures wellbeing. I love connecting with nature, dancing with community in the forest under the stars and on crowded dance floors, making art, reading books, watching movies, and I really enjoy a great cup of coffee and walk with a friend.

My services

I offer sessions for individuals in English both virtually across BC and in person at my Kitsilano office (soon in Burnaby as well) for adults navigating the effects of trauma and abuse, especially intimate relationship and family-of-origin abuse, loss, and life transitions. This can include work related to emotion and nervous system regulation, gaining insight and facilitating change related to thought, behavioural, emotional, or relational patterns, building self-esteem and self-insight, managing anxiety, or processing and integrating loss, grief, and trauma.  

Sessions with me are warm and based in authentic relating – I will show up as my authentic self, and you are invited and welcomed to show up as you are. Together, we’ll co-create a process that feels authentic, supportive, and meaningful for you.

Therapeutic modalities

My practice is primarily trauma-informed and person-centered, prioritizing safety within the therapeutic relationship as well as outside the therapy space. This means consent and autonomy are prioritized and each therapeutic journey is a collaborative and evolving process, shaped by your unique needs, values, and goals. I also work from a sensorimotor-informed lens, inviting embodied awareness and offering somatic tools to support the therapeutic process and nervous system regulation. Mindfulness, strengths-based, and cognitive / behavioural tools are commonly offered, and I always encourage self-compassion along the way.

Art therapy

In my practice, art therapy is not a separate modality but used in conjunction with conversation to support the therapeutic process. I believe that humans are innately creative beings, and creative expression, which comes in many forms, can deepen healing, foster resilience, and support meaningful growth, change, and wellbeing. The goal is not to create a “good” piece of art, but to use the creative process as a way to externalize and explore thoughts, emotions and experiences, express what words cannot, support insight and change with embodied learning, and may be used in grounding and mindfulness practices, to fidget during sessions, and to support processing and integrating trauma. The way this looks in session will vary according to the needs and preferences of each client. 

Art is always an invitation but is never required, and no prior art experience is necessary. If including art in session does not feel like the right fit for you, that’s okay too. 

Rates, billing, and re-imbursement

The rate for a 50-minute session is $160 and an 80-minute session is $210. I offer all new clients a free 20-minute initial consult for us to connect, discuss what you want support with, ask questions, and assess whether working together feels like a good fit.

Following each session, you will be provided with a receipt which you can submit to your extended health insurance provider for reimbursement. I encourage you to check with your provider directly to see if services provided by an RCC are covered. Direct billing to insurance providers is not currently available. 

Payment is due at the time of each session and can be made by e-transfer or credit card. A credit card is required to be on file and will be charged automatically at the end of the session unless you inform me that you will be paying by e-transfer.

Book an appointment.

I offer all new clients a first free 20 minute introduction call. This helps us learn more about each other, give you a sense of what it would be like to work with me, and offer you a chance to ask any questions you might have.

There are several options to book a first appointment: