Meet our Founders
(Fatima) Natascha Lawrence, M.A., R.C.C., BCRPT
I use she/her/hers pronouns.
My father is of biracial Chinese ancestry, and my mother is of mixed ancestry from Macau. As a BIPOC clinician, I recognize the duality of colonial history in my family and being a person of colour. I am a first-generation Canadian settler and the child of immigrants.
I am an ADHDer, Queer, have Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and have a mobility disability.
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor, BC Registered Play Therapist, Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor, and EMDR practitioner. Over the last 15 years, through FASD Counselling, I have specialized in working with neurodivergent, particularly those with FASD, children, youth, and adults.
My teachers have included western theories of somatics, interpersonal neurobiology, trauma-informed, attachment, EMDR, expressive arts, and Synergetic Play Therapy. These teachings have fueled my passion is to help folx connect to themselves, their cultures, communities, histories, ancestors, and creation.
I am inspired by my Indigenous colleagues and the Elder teachers who have blessed and permitted me to share their wisdom and teachings about working with neurodiversity.
As I learn the ancient traditional Chinese medicine principles of connection to breath and movement to balance and cultivate Chi 的气, this connects me to my family and ancestors. It also grounds the roots of somatic wisdom western theories have claimed.
Meet our Founders
Kyle Lawrence
I use he/him/his pronouns
My mother's mother was born in Eslhá7an, a Squamish village community located on the shores of North Vancouver.
Growing up only knowing a small portion of my Skwxwú7mesh lineage and only recently understanding the impact of my grandmother attending the Residential School system in North Vancouver, feelings of loss and not belonging were always there.
I had thought that the Indian Act had succeeded in eradicating my connection to my ancestors and their wisdom. As I learn more about this Intergenerational Trauma and reconnecting with my traditional teachings, the drive for recovery resonates through me. I do this to honour my ancestors. I am the past, present and future; I am Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw.
FASD Expert
Jocelyn
Hello, my name is Jocelyn and I also have FASD. :) Thank you for wanting to learn more about FASD and how to help people.
Sibling Expert and Helper
Consultant
Courtney Farrow-Lawrence
Gwe'. My name is Courtney-Farrow-Lawrence and my ancestry lies in Nova Scotia, of the Mi'kmaq African Nova Scotian and Acadian French peoples. For the last 8 years, I have lived on the traditional territory of the Sto:lo people in British Columba, where I married into the Fraser family of the Snnuneymuxw Nation. I have two beautiful Indigenous children. Since living in BC, I have worked with the Native Courtworkers and Counselling Association of BC, committing to supporting the rights of Indigenous youth and adults in contact with the justice system. I specialize in supporting youth and families in understanding FASD, trauma, impacts of colonization/removal from the land, and the Indigenous spiritual and cultural lens. I focused on connecting with the land and the importance of identity. I also provide community training and create awareness in these areas, which is equally important to creating meaningful change. Please contact me at courtneyfraser84@gmail.com to discuss consultation services.
Meet our Associates
Nicole Chan
Nicole Chan
Nicole Chan
Nicole's pronouns are she/her/hers.
Nicole completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. She then moved to BC and is currently in the final steps of completing her Master of Counselling Psychology degree from Adler University. With a longstanding passion for working with children and families, Nicole hopes people connect deeper to themselves and others.
Nicole identifies as Chinese-Malaysian, with generations of her family born in Malaysia and ancestry linking back to Guangzhou, China. As a first-generation immigrant, she understands how the stigma around mental health can prevent folx from seeking help. She hopes to break down this stigmatization and make mental health supports more accessible and inclusive to all.
Nicole has experience with supporting children, teens, adults, families, and couples. She works from a person-centred, anti-oppressive and anti-ableist framework. She uses techniques from many modalities and has specified training in CBT and Gottman methods.
Nicole completed her counselling practicum at Touchstone Family Association in Richmond. She has also worked for Richmond Society for Community Living as an Independent Living Specialist supporting folx with developmental disabilities.
Nicole recognizes the individuality of each person she supports and aims to empower folx by giving them space and tools necessary to empower themselves.
Kiana Maeda
Nicole Chan
Nicole Chan
Kiana’s pronouns are she/her/hers.
Kiana completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. Currently, Kiana is completing her Master of Counselling Psychology Degree at Adler University. From a young age, Kiana has always been passionate about supporting others throughout their healing journeys.
Kiana is of Japanese-Canadian descent, with the majority of her family living in Steveston, BC, and various areas in Japan. From personal experience, Kiana understands how challenging it can be to seek support in a society that can be judgmental and exclusive. Thus, she is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for her clients that is anti-oppressive. It is her priority to meet clients where they are at and support them in reaching their goals.
Throughout therapy, Kiana and the client will work collaboratively to re-discover the client’s strengths and support them in living in alignment with their core values. This is the essence of Person-Centred Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – the modalities that Kiana’s work is rooted in. Kiana has extensive experience supporting individuals, children, teens, and families due to her work at non-profit agencies. Kiana has provided support for concerns surrounding relationships, trauma, parenting, development, and more at these agencies. She also has experience working with the children’s organ transplant community. Kiana believes that mental and physical health are intertwined, thus, she focuses on taking a holistic approach by encouraging folx to consider all parts of themselves throughout their healing journey.
