Cranbrook, BC Counsellor
Joanna Copeland-Butt

Registered Clinical Counsellor

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more powerful than the risk it took to blossom.”

Anais Ninn

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Counsellor Joanna Copeland Butt

Hi, I’m Joanna.

Welcome! My name is Joanna, and I bring a wealth of valuable lived experiences to my practice.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a master’s degree and other professional certifications. In private practice since 2015, I worked in the business sector for over 28 years before going to graduate school.

In mid-life I realized that I needed help to process the trauma I experienced growing up which damaged my self-esteem and trust in people, including myself. This left me feeling anxious, hurt, confused, and stuck. I began a counselling journey to heal trauma and grief, be kinder to myself, let go of self-defeating beliefs, and learn how to set and maintain boundaries. I soon realized that I could support others in a deeper, more meaningful way which led me to the field of counselling and the work I was born to do. My personal counselling work continues to this day and has changed my life.

With a master’s degree from Gonzaga University and two undergraduate degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland, my practice is informed by internal family systems (IFS), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), trauma informed practice, polyvagal theory, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and interpersonal neurobiology among other modalities. My professional counselling experience includes working in a residential treatment center for over five years. I attend continuing education training regularly to expand my knowledge base and counselling skills.

colourful textbooks sitting on a shelf

My practice is informed by compassionate curiosity and a client centered approach that is a blend of heart and science.

I love supporting clients who want to change and grow by helping them process trauma, learn new ways of coping, discover blind spots, become more self-compassionate, and tap into their internal wisdom, which we all have. It is incredibly rewarding to help clients realize they are more than their trauma, anxiety, or pain. Then change what is not working, learn new ways of coping and set boundaries which create security, self-confidence, and healthier relationships.

As a woman who is post menopausal, I am passionate about supporting other women who are experiencing perimenopause or menopause, and the people who love them. I have received training about how women’s hormones affect them across the lifespan and how important it is to understand how these changes can affect women for decades in all areas of life. I also enjoy working with clients who love someone whom they describe as emotionally immature. These relationships are complex and often make clients feel gaslight, confused and powerless. It feels validating when clients hear that they are not imagining things, they have a right to their feelings and then learn how to navigate the relationship with a sense of empowerment and a greater understanding of what is possible and what is not.

My goal is to create a safe, comfortable, non-judgmental environment where people feel heard, understood, and respected for who they are. Clients describe me as kind, validating, direct and definitely not superficial!

I am the mother of an adult child, wife of over 30 years, devoted dog Mum, avid paddle boarder, book clubber, home cook, Lego enthusiast, and aspiring world traveller who hails from Newfoundland but has called Cranbrook home for over 25 years.

If you feel like we could be a fit, please call for a free 15-minute consultation.

Education

  • Gonzaga University, Master of Counselling, 2015.
  • Memorial University of Newfoundland, Bachelor of Arts (Hons), 1995.
  • Memorial University of Newfoundland, Bachelor of Arts, 1994.

Things can get better. Talking helps.

Contact me and book an appointment today.

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