Sandeep Nagra
Sandeep Nagra Is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#6640) and an Accredited Clinical Supervisor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors, as well as a Canadian Certified Counsellor (#6674) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She is also a Clinical Supervisor since 2018 (designation pending).
In the past 25 years I have worked in the field of psychology and mental wellness in a variety of different settings from group homes, hospitals, childcare centres, not-for-profit agencies and private practice. I have worked with children, youth and adults (individuals, couples, families and groups).
I bring my extensive experience to my sessions, where I provide a confidential, non-judgemental and safe space where people can explore themselves, their purpose, their goals and direction in life. With compassion, guidance and understanding from me, clients learn to recognize their strengths and are empowered to make positive life choices.
When we work together, you will gain insights into yourself and your relationships. You will learn how your emotions impact yourself and others and how you are relationally in the world. With a greater understanding of yourself and your needs, we will develop healthy strategies to help you create the life and relationships you truly desire.
Areas of counselling expertise
- Anxiety Child and Adults(Racing Thoughts, Excessive Worry, Perfectionism, Stress)
- Depression (Lack of Drive, Loss of Interest in Life, Isolation, Sadness)
- Life transitions (Career, Divorce/Separation, Relocations)
- Relationships/Couples Concerns (Relationship Skills, Communication, Intimacy, Conflict Resolution, Family Acceptance, Cultural Challenges)
- Grief/loss
- Emotional Dysregulation. (Anger, Shutdown, Easily Triggered)
- Infertility
- Parenting (Exploring if wanting to become parents, Parenting skills, Consistent Parenting)
- Family Therapy Concerns (Communication, Conflict Management)
- Anger Management
- Domestic Violence (Physical, Verbal, Financial)
- Trauma (Abuse/Sexual, PTSD)
- Youth (Trauma, Self-esteem, Self-harm, Anxiety, Depression, Isolation, Relocation/ International Students)
- Chronic Illness (Pain, Loss, Grief, Medical Trauma, Depression, Isolation, Anxiety)
- Autism (Child – Emotional Support Tools, Parental Support)
- ADHD/ADD (Child – Emotional Regulation Tools, Parental/Behavioural Support)
- Social Skills Development (Children: tools/ skills, Parental Support)
Therapy modalities Sandeep uses in her counselling practice
I come from a client centred, cultural and trauma informed perspective in my counselling approach. I see counselling as a process where we have conversations and explore ways of strengthening the skills you already have and developing new ones to help you cope or guide you towards your goals.
In sessions, I use a variety of integrative approaches based on my client’s unique needs. The modalities that I draw on include:
- Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
- Narrative Therapy
- Gottman Couples Therapy
- Somatic Awareness
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
As a couples therapist I draw from Gottman Couples Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT). Couples often come to see me when they feel challenged to communicate or understand each other and feel like they are growing apart. I help them to understand their needs, their partner’s needs and how to communicate that to each other. When couples are able to support each other’s emotional and physical needs, they become closer again and the spark is rekindled. After therapy, couples report increased happiness, greater intimacy and more relationship satisfaction.
Personal qualities / strengths as a counsellor
I bring my authentic self to our sessions. What you see is what you get. I am sincere, direct, genuine and transparent. The person I am and the therapist I am are not separate. I bring my best and clients appreciate that they can connect easily with me and get open feedback and guidance.
I strive to create a space where clients are empowered to navigate though their challenges and come out of therapy more confident, feeling more whole, and proud of the hard work they have put in. I believe in people’s abilities to heal themselves, that we all have the strength and courage to find our way and heal with some support and guidance.
I also offer sessions in Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi.
Education and professional development
- Bachelor of Arts Honours- York University
- Master of Arts- Human Development- Laurentian University
- Master of Arts- Counselling Psychology- Adler University
- Substance Use Certificate- Justice Institute of BC
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training (DBT)
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Anxiety (CBT)
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Depression (CBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
- Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Cultural Diversity Training
- Gottman Method Level 1 & 2
- ASSIST Suicide Training
- Narrative Therapy Level, 1, 2 & 3
- Internal Family Systems Therapy
- Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) – current