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SANDRA BUENAÑO

Registered Clinical Counsellor and Canadian Certified Counsellor 

Welcome!

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Thank you for visiting my website and taking a moment to learn about me and how I work.  

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I have been practising since 2012 in Vancouver, British Columbia. I hold a Masters of Counselling Psychology from Adler University and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Family Studies from the University of British Columbia. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC).

 

I am originally from Perú and moved to Vancouver in August 2003. Prior to becoming a counsellor, I worked with families, youth and children for over 10 years. I have experience in both agency work and private practice setting. My background experiences help me understand the complexities that come with cultural and life transitions, as well as, supplements the clinical work I do with individuals, children, youth, couples and families. 

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Since a young age, I knew I wanted to help people in some shape or form. Once I learned more about counselling, it seemed like the perfect fit for me. I am very passionate about my counselling work. I feel honoured and privileged to walk alongside and being a part of my clients journey through their painful and overwhelming feelings. I am inspired by the counselling process and my client’s courage, resilience and strengths. 

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Counselling is a relationship built on trust. I have a caring, warm, counselling approach. I focus on creating a compassionate and supportive environment and encourage clients to be comfortable opening up, sharing their feelings and struggles. At the same time, I can challenge clients in a supportive way, offering them opportunities for insight, clarity, self-awareness, understanding, and a chance to heal and grow.

 

I take an integrative approach, drawing from multiple evidence-based modalities and tailor therapy according to each client’s unique needs, goals and preferences. I see counselling as a collaborative approach. I believe in the importance of meeting clients where they are and helping them get to where they want to be in their lives. My job is to help clients identify the barriers to their success, identify what is keeping them “stuck” in reaching their goals, helping them identify the steps and tools they need to move forward, and encouraging their process and progress to regain ownership over their lives and connection with themselves and other people important in their lives.

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I value diversity and appreciate each client’s uniqueness and enjoy working with clients from different ages, cultures and life experiences.

 

I work with youth, individuals, couples and families.

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Currently, I am only providing phone and video counselling appointments through a secure video platform.

Areas of Expertise

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Marriage and Relationship issues (including pre-marital counselling and transition to parenthood)
  • Intimacy and sexuality issues
  • Parenting issues
  • Life transitions 
  • Interpersonal issues (family, friends, work)
  • Cross cultural issues
  • Stress management
  • Work/life balance
  • Self esteem issues
  • Self growth
  • Grief and loss
  • Women issues
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Fees

Individuals:$180 per 50 minute session (GST is added to this amount)

Couples: $200 per 50 minute session (GST is added to this amount)

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Most extended health benefit programs cover the cost of counselling provided by a Registered Clinical Counsellor. You will need to contact your employer or insurance provider to check and see if you are covered.

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Booking, rescheduling and cancellations

I have a 24 hour cancellation policy. Please make sure to let me know with at least 24 hours in advance to avoid paying the full fee for a late cancellation. 

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You can contact me directly via email at sandra@sbuenanocounselling.com to book, reschedule and cancel appointments. 

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If you know in advance about the need to cancel or reschedule, I would appreciate it if you would let me know as soon as possible so that I can offer the spot to someone else that might need it. 

Services

  • Individual Therapy
  • Couple Therapy
  • Family Therapy

Modalities 

I tailor therapy according to client's individuals needs and practice an integrated counselling approach that is influenced by:

  • Person-Centered,

  • Cognitive Behavioural,

  • Narrative, 

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy.​

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy

  • Family Systems, and 

  • Existential 

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Training

I believe it is important to update my skills through Professional Development opportunities. I enjoy integrating these learning experiences in my work with clients. In addition to my formal degree, I have training in:

 

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),

  • Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (MCBT),

  • Gottman Couple Therapy

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT)

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy for Individuals

  • Mindulfness

  • Gottman Program 7 Principles Educator (I hold a certificate that reinforces my work with couples)

  • Expressive Play Therapy (I hold a certificate for my work with children and youth)

  • Trauma

  • Grief and loss

  • Eating Disorders

Services
Contact

Let's connect!

I understand how difficult it can be to reach out to support, ask for help and share personal struggles. 

 

Starting the journey of change and healing takes courage and you have already taken the first step by searching someone to work with you. 

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Whatever you are going through, I work on meeting you where you are, and helping you get where you want to be to have a more fulfilling life.

 

I provide a free 15 minute phone or video consultation so you can learn more about me and how I work. 

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I look forward to connecting with you, 

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Sandra

Thank you!

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