Therapy That Integrates The Talk Into The Walk | Trauma-Informed Therapy in Burnaby, BC
Be seen beyond the words, wounds and labels, and move towards aligned action with what you say, do and the future you long for.
In between where you are and where you want to go is a whole lot of in between. That comes with the unknown and the unfamiliar. But what if this in-between place was whispering valuable information, not only siren-level threat alarms? What if the unknown was part of your healing map? This journey is a whole lot easier when you’re in company with someone skilled to walk with you, behind you and in front of you at times.
We want and need deep, meaningful relationships.
We want to feel grounded in these turbulent times.
We want to show up with our values in tow.
We want to keep our hearts open and soft while our boundaries stay clear.
We want productivity to include rest, pleasure and play without the onslaught of guilt.
So why does this seem impossible at times? It’s by design. We’ve all been stewing in some kind of systemic soup that imprints these ways of remaining small, unseen, unheard, overwhelmed and excluded, moreso for QTBIPOC folks.
The middle you and I explore has us dancing with these questions:
How do we begin to trust ourselves more deeply and consistently?
What would be possible if we had access to support, resources, and choice?
How do you responsibly engage in grounded, consensual, deeply fulfilling relationships and hold the tension of conflict without collapsing or withdrawing?
How do we be present to and with discomfort long enough to uncover the wisdom, lesson or guidance?
Talking our way through healing is a way - but not the only way. Our bodies carry tremendous wisdom. Our bodies don’t just serve as trauma holders or machines. They are vessels of resilience, rest, pleasure and creativity. Our ancestors knew that rituals, creativity and gatherings with beloved ones were a part of healing and thriving. They knew our history, culture, and lineage had always been a part of how we engage in relationships and the world around us. They were taught by elders and community to meet moments of pressure and tension with care, curiosity, and grounded in their values. If this is the kind of reclamation journey you wish to embark on, I would be delighted to walk with you. The kind of therapy that won’t be found in a self-help book!
Meet Nashina
I'm Nashina Merani, a trauma-informed therapist and Registered Therapeutic Counsellor in Burnaby, BC. My own therapy journey taught me what it means to be met in the darkest places without judgment — and to be celebrated in the smallest wins. That's the kind of space I hold for the people I work with.
Ways We Can Work Together
-
One-on-one counselling for anxiety, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the patterns rooted in family history and intergenerational trauma.
-
Support through death, life transitions, and the losses that aren't always named as grief.
-
Trauma therapy that holds both the personal and the systemic — childhood, intergenerational, and racialized trauma, centred on BIPOC and immigrant experiences.
-
For those who carry everyone else — moving through caregiver burnout, caregiver fatigue, and the weight of holding it all together.
-
Working with the body and Generative Somatics to build capacity, choice, and nervous system regulation.
-
Reiki and energy-based practice to reconnect with the body's wisdom and return to balance. (In-person, Burnaby.)
-
A traditional head, neck, and scalp oil treatment for deep relaxation and stress relief. (In-person, Burnaby.)
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