You don’t have to do a song and dance
As a counsellor and a person who lives with anxiety and ADHD, I’m passionate about creating a neuro-affirming place of refuge from expectation.
I’m Paige Hollingsworth
Registered Clinical Counsellor and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) for couples and individuals.
I offer virtual services across BC and Ontario.
What is neuro-affirming counselling and therapy?
To me it means creating a space where you can just show up as yourself and feel safe to do so. I understand that societal biases and barriers can diminish many neurodivergent individuals’ sense of self. In this space, I welcome and celebrate your identity and am open to make adjustments to better support your needs in session.
I’m also someone who has personal experience with anxiety and ADHD. Sometimes, it can be helpful to receive support from someone with a similar neurotype. I didn’t know I had ADHD until my late 20s, and I didn’t know I had OCD until I had children, well into my 30s. When I finally had neuro-affirming support, it was a game-changer.
Of course, neurodiversity means just that: diverse. Each one of us is incredibly unique, which is why I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all methods in my practice.
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Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology with Distinction from Yorkville University, 2023
BA in Psychology (Honours) from University of Calgary, 2013
Additional Certifications and Training:
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
ADHD-Clinical Services Provider Certificate (ADHD-CSP)
Emotion Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) Level 1
Externship in Emotion Focused Couples Therapy (EFcT)
Foundations of Neuro-Affirming Practice
Certified Autism Specialist: Beginner-to-Advanced training on Neuro-Affirming Care
OCD Treatment Specialist training
Attachment Trauma Treatment Specialist Certificate course
Integrative Relationship Therapy training with Tammy Nelson
IFS Therapy Immersion training
Gottman training level 1 and 2
CBT Advanced training
Intro to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) training
Motivational Interviewing
Each person brings with them their own unique history, understanding, identity, and dynamics.
This diversity is one of the things that I love about counselling and therapy. It is because of this that I keep my approach flexible and responsive to the individual(s) in front of me—so that each client receives therapeutic support that is tailored to them.
Psychology was love at first sight
I fell in love with psychology over two decades ago when I took my first intro class in high school. That was when I realized that I was going to be a therapist.
After that, I obtained my BA in Psychology, all the while interweaving coursework with shoestring travel for some bonified real world life experience.
Six continents later, with my travel bug satisfied, I came home to focus on building a career with foundations in the community. I flowed from positions in case management, to crisis response, to counselling mild to severe issues related to mental health and substance use.
Romantic love, family, and work brought me from BC to Ontario and back to BC again. Somewhere amid the back and forth, I completed my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. I found my way to private practice as a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) while living in the Okanagan region of BC.
My interest in psychology and our human experience is infinite. It continues to propel me to build on my existing knowledge and skills to better support my clients in their challenges, in their successes, and in working towards their goals.
I am deeply honoured to share in these experiences with my clients.
I’m here for all of it.
I’m not just obsessed with psychology
Here are a few other things I’m passionate about.
My family: I’m married with two young children (what a game changer!)
Reading: I love to get lost in historical fiction and memoirs
Travel: I’ve backpacked in over 25 countries on 6 continents
Life is messy and so is growth. Let’s work it out together.
I believe in the transformative power that an authentic, collaborative therapeutic relationship can have.
I value your expertise, your experience, your wisdom, and your stories.
I draw on multiple perspectives so that I have a variety of tools and techniques to apply where it feels appropriate.
I bring openness, curiosity, warmth, compassion, authenticity, and a bit of quirkiness.
Book a free 15-minute consult to see if we’re a fit!
Reach out through my contact form for more information, questions, or to book.
I offer space during business hours and keep a limited number of floating evening and weekend appointments for those unable to make appointments during regular working hours.