Hi, my name is Nashina (pronounced: nuh-she-na). I am a cis, South-Asian, first generation (so-called) Canadian woman and my pronouns are she/her. I am a licensed therapist in beautiful (so-called) Vancouver, BC. I’m a wife, a Mother a forest frolicker and I LOVE what I do and who I do it for.

My work is influenced by various frameworks standing on a foundation built by many healers, teachers, guides and practitioners in the mental health world. I value working from a healing justice perspective rooted in trauma-informed practice. This work invites me/us to explore the systems (familial, community, cultural, political, social etc) that impact us on the individual and collective level. 

What’s truly fulfilling is the reclamation of one’s sense of purpose, the practice and beauty of shared power, exercising choice, creating and joining community, and experiencing a felt sense of belonging.

When we allow for love, play, rest, and connection to enter the picture while we navigate the hard stuff, we’re more inclined to stay on the path of healing and growth.

We’re in this together.

There are many layers of this work. There are a few key components we will weave in and out of. Cultivating awareness of patterns, reactions, behaviours that create disharmony in our lives. Processing, at a gentle pace, what comes up as realizations can evoke grief, relief, surprise, anger, sadness among other emotions. What we don’t metabolize tends to stay as a conditioned (stuck) tendency (CT in somatics). Implementing long-lasting change is difficult when the old way is dominant and further fueled by unprocessed emotions or experiences. Practice, practice, practice! We explore new ways of being and engaging in relationships by practicing in relationship. Courage in tow; here we go!

How we engage in this work.

Our work is meant to be collaborative, creative and not overly structured. I will absolutely offer guidance and direction when needed/requested however, leaning into re-learn how to listen to your inner compass (trust, wisdom, agency; all that good stuff) is a huge part of liberatory work. I intend to cultivate a warm, safe(r), and affirming experience. For some, this process of building trust and rapport may take time before we can really tap into the weeds. Pace is important in this work and you will be encouraged to explore the challenges that may be hindering personal and relational growth while simultaneously cultivating an internal and external ‘tool kit’ you can call on to be with whatever arises.

Scope of practice.

My practice integrates a combination of Psychotherapy (talk therapy) and Generative Somatics (holding a politicized lens to understand the disconnect of the mind/body while re-membering the body as a vessel of wisdom and knowledge). My passion and responsibility is to serve as one branch on the healing tree for communities most affected by systems of power and oppression. Our exploration calls on looking at intersectionality, liberation centered (anti-oppressive), and heart centered ways of navigating the work. I draw from a range of therapeutic ‘interventions’ such (not limited to):

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Attachment Theory

  • Feminist Theory (critiquing Patriarchal systems and impact)

  • Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS - parts exploration)

  • Embodiment and Generative Somatics (wonderful for exploration and integration work)

  • Polyvagal Theory (working with and from the Nervous System)

  • Art, Music & Movement Modalities

Areas of knowledge and experience.

Life transitions 

Spiritual Exploration

Caregiver Burnout & Compassion Fatigue 

  • professional & personal (taking care of, being responsible for a loved one)

Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

Relational Conflict & Challenges 

  • communication, boundaries, power / control dynamics at play 

Self Harm & Suicidal Ideation

Grief and Loss of various kind:

  • death

  • dreams/hopes/plans

  • change

  • anticipatory grief

Trauma of various kinds:

  • secondary & vicarious trauma

  • developmental & childhood trauma

  • racial, cultural, religous, historical & intergenerational trauma

Credentials, Training & Workshops.

Knowledge and ethical practice are important to me. The training & continuing education I select centre my values and take into consideration the folks I wish to be in healing relationships with: therapeutically, professionally, and within the community at large.

Registered Therapeutic Counsellor registered with Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada Clearmind International Training Institute, 2015-2018

Trauma-Informed Practice Levels 1 & 2 with Trish Walsh and Alyson Quinn, 2020 / 2021

Cultural Somatics Workshop with Resmaa Menakem, 2022

Anti-Racism Course Certificate with Selam Debs, 2022

Grief Care Professional Certificate with Megan Devine, 2022

Breaking the Cycle of Unhealthy Family Relationships: Tools for Better Boundaries Workshop with Nedra Tawaab, 2022

Narcissistic Abuse In-Depth Workshop with Dr.Ramani Durvasula, 2022

When Sex Hurts Certificate with Allura Sex Therapy Centre Vancouver, 2023

Healing Trauma: Working with Somatic Wounds with Dr. Peter Levine, 2023

Collective Care, Solidarity & Justice-Doing: Resisting Burnout Workshop with Vikki Reynolds, 2024

DNVC (Decolonizing Non-Violent Communication) Self-Study program with Meenadchi, 2024

Battered Women’s Support Services: Violence Prevention Intervention Training, 2024

Prentis Hemphill Self Guided Embodiment Basics Course: Embodiment Institute, 2024

Certificate in Somatic Embodiment & Regulation Strategies: Collectively Rooted with Linda Thai (ongoing)

Kind Words

  • I have known Nashina as a fellow mental health practitioner for 5 years. My experience of her is that she is very dedicated to her clients and her work and is always looking for ways to grow and hone her craft. This is evidenced by the fact that invests in training and literature regularly. I have found her to be very supportive as a peer and always willing to share wisdom, knowledge and resources. She is a wonderful person to know and I am honoured to be in her circle.

    Joyce Musekiwa - Beautiful Pathways Counselling Counsellor, BSC, MBA, MACP, CCC

  • My sessions with Nashina were, in a word, groundbreaking. It was the first time I'd come to understand what genuine engagement and support from a therapist felt like. It was also the first time I was able to truly dig into and examine some deep generational trauma. I attribute some of this to the fact that our similarity in lived experiences (first-generation daughters of immigrants) allowed for an immediate shared language and a sense of ease and trust that allowed me to bring my full self into each session.

    Former Client

  • Nashina is an amazing therapist who has guided me through many ups and downs for years. She has helped me navigate through many difficult situations by breaking down each event and taking steps to ensure growth, while also keeping what is best for me at the forefront. I experienced a tremendous amount of growth & healing in each session, with the help of breath work and understanding the main psychological cause behind each event. I have learnt so much from Nashina and am extremely grateful to have someone like her to confide in.

    Former Client

  • Nashina is a great educator and mentor. She is very patient and passionate about everything she does. She is great at checking in and giving feedback. Her personality is friendly and compassionate. I can’t say enough great things about her, she is truly a great educator and mentor.

    MC: Independent Contractor

  • Working alongside Nashina in previous years was transformative for our team. She contributed to cultivating a stronger team dynamic, facilitating leadership meetings, and assisting in the creation of protocols and procedures that prioritize and enhance the client-provider relationship. Nashina’s insights and support were instrumental in these developments, and I would highly recommend collaborating with her to anyone.

    BS : Regional Relationship Director MedSpa Partners Inc.

  • My healing journey with Nashina started right from the initial consultation. She has a beautiful presence. I felt safe, seen and on a journey of connecting with myself in ways I hadn't before. Whether it's her holding a safe, sacred space for you while you are experiencing your emotions, realizations and processes (no matter how messy) or guiding you through a role play or some inner child meditations... the journey has been an incredible one. Personally, my life has changed for the better... and I'm on the path of my homecoming. I learned so much. As a POC, a decolonial framework was healing as we don't operate individually but are part of the larger system/community. I found her journey to be pretty inspirational! I wouldn't hesitate one bit to recommend her and often do within my network.

    Former Client

  • I have been working with Nashina as my therapist since the Summer of 2021. Working with her has been one of the greatest gifts. I was able to heal from dysfunctional family dynamics thanks to her support in helping me understand myself and my role within these dynamics. This understanding led me to practice culturally appropriate, compassion-based boundaries in my relationships. I am currently working with Nashina to navigate the challenges of mothering under capitalism and other systemic oppressions. This includes participating in somatic practices to navigate grief, welcome happiness, and release traumas that are not mine to hold in an embodied way. This work is ongoing, involving breaking intergenerational patterns and reactions to colonial and oppressive behaviors. I am eternally grateful to have crossed paths with Nashina at this stage of my development. I don't think I would be where I am in my healing today without her unconditional positive regard, compassion, and faith in me, especially in moments when I did not think I could rise above myself or the systems that would rather see me sink. I encourage anyone seeking counseling support to reach out to Nashina, especially if you are looking to heal from family dynamics, intimate partnership dynamics, and experiences of grief within these dynamics and systemic oppressions.

    Former Client