VANYA MALIXI COUNSELLING
Hi and welcome to my online “residence”. My name is Vanya Malixi and I am a Clinical Counsellor. I have a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and I am very passionate about helping people improve their mental health. I work with individuals, couples and families to help them overcome relationship problems, trauma-related issues, depression, anxiety, grief and substance use disorders. I am trained in different therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, EMDR, Bowen Family Systems Therapy, and Solution-focused Brief Therapy. I am a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and I am also a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors.
I currently offer online clinical counselling services through Zoom as well as group seminars around the world. I am a resident of three countries and I split my time between Canada, the USA, and Europe. I speak English and Bulgarian fluently, and I have basic knowledge of Spanish, German, and French.
CLINICAL COUNSELLING FOR INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES, AND FAMILIES
My approach to therapy is based on my clients’ needs and preferences, however, I am a big supporter of bottom-up techniques and engaging the body in the therapeutic process. I work in an alliance with my clients to help them deal with trauma-related issues, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. I offer mental health services to individuals, couples, and families.
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Being an immigrant myself, I am aware of the challenges one faces when moving to a new country. I offer mental health support to people who have recently immigrated to Canada or the USA due to economical, political, financial, or personal reasons, or to immigrants and refugees who do not have a big social support network.
MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
It is a well-known fact that men underutilize counselling services and are less likely to seek help when it comes to their mental health. At the same time, research shows that the number of men committing suicide is four times higher than that of women and approximately one in every five men develops substance dependence as opposed to one in every twelve women. In my work with men, I follow the positive psychology/positive masculinity (PPPM) model suggested by Kiselica & Englar-Carlson (2010), which puts a strong focus on the “noble aspects of masculinity” such as male relational styles, male ways of caring, generative fatherhood, male self-reliance, the worker-provider tradition of men, male courage, daring and risk-taking, the group orientation of boys and men, fraternal humanitarian service, male forms of humour, and male heroism.