Savina Purewal
Savina Purewal (she/her) is a psychotherapist, designated as a Registered Professional Counsellor (#4400) with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association in British Columbia. She holds an additional designation as a Counselling Therapist (CT) #2571 with the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta. Savina specializes in brain health, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), family systems and cognitive-emotional development.
As a trauma-trained therapist with a specialty in neuropsychology, Savina is skilled in helping clients manage a range of problems associated with emotional dysregulation. These difficulties can look like mood swings, heightened irritability, sleep disturbances, impulsivity, or emotional volatility, leading to rumination and intrusive thoughts or flashbacks.
Working with Savina, you can expect to increase your emotional regulation positively and develop healthier coping strategies to manage the impact of trauma and stress more effectively. You will see an increase in self-esteem, self-worth, and confidence. You will learn how to create trust bonds and meaningful, value-rich choices with people in your life.
Areas of counselling expertise
- Anxiety (general, rumination)
- Depression (under motivation, sadness)
- Couple/Family relationship (trust bond, affection)
- Self Esteem/Self-Worth (confidence, identity)
- Emotional Dysregulation (anger, shutdown, easily triggered)
Therapy modalities Savina uses in her counselling practice
Savina uses an integrated approach, drawing from various evidence-based psychotherapies, including Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Gottman Method Couples techniques, all within a person-centred framework. Additionally, Savina is trained in herbs and nutrition and can offer her clients psychoeducation about the benefits of food and how diet is vital for mind-body health.
I have always been fascinated by human development and the influences that shape behaviour. This passion led me to study neuropsychology, a branch of psychology that examines how a person’s thoughts and behaviour connect to the brain and the rest of the nervous system. My interest ultimately guided me toward a specialization in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Personal qualities / strengths as a counsellor
My extensive experience spans 30 years and has given me a unique insight into how biological, environmental, and family systems can play a factor and impact a person’s self-worth, emotional well-being and mental health. I have learned that therapy empowers people to engage in their lives actively, leading to better internal regulation, awareness, and consistent happiness.
Counselling is an essential tool that we should use to fortify our minds, just as we would use healthy food to nourish our bodies. Working with a therapist is more than discovering our cognitive health; it is critical in helping us also find our purpose and establish a sense of belonging in this world.
Education and professional development
- Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 and Level 2
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
- Emotion-Focused Family Therapy
- Trauma Trained Therapist
- Brain Health Science
- Diploma Applied Psychology and Counselling
- Advance Associate Degree in Counselling Psychology
- Master Practitioner Herbalist
