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Sometimes the break in your heart is like the hole in the flute.Sometimes it’s the place where the music comes through.

Andrea Gibson

Book an Appointment

Hands to Heart Therapy

Hands to Heart is a private practice located in North Vancouver Lower Lonsdale.

It is a short walk from the seabus and bus stop for commuters and walkers.

Sessions are available online or in a quiet private office. The setting is designed to be a comfortable sanctuary for all ages.

Welcoming

COMFORTABLE

Always a cup of tea

PRIVATE

Areas

of Practice

Children and Teen Anxiety, Dysregulation and Neurodiversity

Complex Diagnosis and Chronic Disease

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)

Families and Parenting (co and single)

Somatic Integration and Breathwork

Stone Tower

Have Questions?

Need Support NOw?

Other Mental Wellness Resources in North Vancouver

North Shore Foundry

Vancouver Coastal Health

Our community has resources aimed to support you and your family. Please reach out to me for support in navigating these systems.

Connect for extended councelling

It is such an honour to work with each client that happens upon my clinic.

I try to slow my own heartbeat to hear their stories and wisdom even louder than they do. The transformations we can experience take bravery and every day I thank the moon and the trees for these beautiful humans who trust me....

It is such an honour to work with each client that happens upon my clinic.

I try to slow my own heartbeat to hear their stories and wisdom even louder than they do. The transformations we can experience take bravery and every day I thank the moon and the trees for these beautiful humans who trust me....

💙 Healing After Medical Trauma is Possible. 💙

Have you experienced medical trauma or overwhelming health challenges that still affect your emotional well-being today? It’s common to feel anxious, isolated, or fearful even after physical recovery.

🌱 You don’t have to face this alone. Trauma is not just physical—it affects the mind and heart too. But with the right support, healing is within reach.

I offer trauma-informed therapy for those who have been through medical procedures, chronic illness, surgeries, or health-related experiences that left you feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from your body. Together, we can work through the past and build a path toward healing.

✨ What I offer:
✔️ Compassionate, trauma-informed care
✔️ Techniques for managing anxiety and PTSD
✔️ Safe space to process your medical experiences
✔️ Personalized treatment to reclaim your life

💬 Ready to start your healing journey? DM me or click the link in bio to schedule a consultation. You deserve to heal, and I’m here to support you every step of the way. 💙

#MedicalTrauma #TraumaRecovery #HealingJourney #MentalHealthSupport #TraumaInformedCare #MentalHealthMatters #PTSDRecovery #HealingAfterTrauma #TherapyForTrauma #BCWellness #VancouverTherapist #chronicillnesssupport

💙 Healing After Medical Trauma is Possible. 💙

Have you experienced medical trauma or overwhelming health challenges that still affect your emotional well-being today? It’s common to feel anxious, isolated, or fearful even after physical recovery.

🌱 You don’t have to face this alone. Trauma is not just physical—it affects the mind and heart too. But with the right support, healing is within reach.

I offer trauma-informed therapy for those who have been through medical procedures, chronic illness, surgeries, or health-related experiences that left you feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from your body. Together, we can work through the past and build a path toward healing.

✨ What I offer:
✔️ Compassionate, trauma-informed care
✔️ Techniques for managing anxiety and PTSD
✔️ Safe space to process your medical experiences
✔️ Personalized treatment to reclaim your life

💬 Ready to start your healing journey? DM me or click the link in bio to schedule a consultation. You deserve to heal, and I’m here to support you every step of the way. 💙

#MedicalTrauma #TraumaRecovery #HealingJourney #MentalHealthSupport #TraumaInformedCare #MentalHealthMatters #PTSDRecovery #HealingAfterTrauma #TherapyForTrauma #BCWellness #VancouverTherapist #chronicillnesssupport

❤️ Happy Heart Week ❤️

Celebrating all of your journeys in living with congenital heart disease. So much gratitude for all the cardiology research and innovation. Those of us with stitched up hearts live with our stories of survival, resilience and a wild hearts.

So grateful for all of those who held me tight in my healing.

So grateful to be able to be there for my clients as they learn to listen in to their own hearts.

https://www.handstoheart.online/

#chd #chdawareness #traumawisdom #counselling
@childrensheartnetwork @bcchildrens @heartandstroke @conqueringchd

❤️ Happy Heart Week ❤️

Celebrating all of your journeys in living with congenital heart disease. So much gratitude for all the cardiology research and innovation. Those of us with stitched up hearts live with our stories of survival, resilience and a wild hearts.

So grateful for all of those who held me tight in my healing.

So grateful to be able to be there for my clients as they learn to listen in to their own hearts.

https://www.handstoheart.online/

#chd #chdawareness #traumawisdom #counselling
@childrensheartnetwork @bcchildrens @heartandstroke @conqueringchd

Living with congenital heart disease (CHD) has gifted me the feeling of brave resilience under my scars. I live my life much like my strange and beautiful heart does, with my own rhythm both fragile and strong all in one pulse. My experiences as a child guide me in my work as a counsellor walking alongside children, youth and adults who have experienced or are experiencing medical trauma. Our stories are in our bodies and our healing and resilience is part of embodying the stories, memories and trauma. In celebration of Heart Month, I encourage all of you to tell your stories of bravery and to reach out and find someone to truly listen. #CHD #bcchildrenshospital #tetrologyoffallot #handstoheart #registeredclinicalcounsellor @heartandstroke @bcchildrens

Living with congenital heart disease (CHD) has gifted me the feeling of brave resilience under my scars. I live my life much like my strange and beautiful heart does, with my own rhythm both fragile and strong all in one pulse. My experiences as a child guide me in my work as a counsellor walking alongside children, youth and adults who have experienced or are experiencing medical trauma. Our stories are in our bodies and our healing and resilience is part of embodying the stories, memories and trauma. In celebration of Heart Month, I encourage all of you to tell your stories of bravery and to reach out and find someone to truly listen. #CHD #bcchildrenshospital #tetrologyoffallot #handstoheart #registeredclinicalcounsellor @heartandstroke @bcchildrens

Is everything too much right now? We are here to hold your hearts and soles. Please reach out. Jen@balancedroots.ca and handstohearttherapy@gmail.com #traumawisdom #coldplunge #selfcare #selflove #community #reflexology #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #balancedrootsrelfexology

Is everything too much right now? We are here to hold your hearts and soles. Please reach out. Jen@balancedroots.ca and handstohearttherapy@gmail.com #traumawisdom #coldplunge #selfcare #selflove #community #reflexology #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #balancedrootsrelfexology

As we turn to a new year, I invite you to consider what you leave behind. Your nervous system could be your compass. Feel into this. What little steps could you do to honour your heart? Sometimes these little changes are challenging when old stories are stuck. I invite you to notice this and reach out to a trusted counsellor or try a new one or phone a friend or rekindle an older relationship that nourished you in the past. It is easier said than moved through💗 #traumawisdom #selfcare #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #2025recoveryjourney #nervoussystemhealing

As we turn to a new year, I invite you to consider what you leave behind. Your nervous system could be your compass. Feel into this. What little steps could you do to honour your heart? Sometimes these little changes are challenging when old stories are stuck. I invite you to notice this and reach out to a trusted counsellor or try a new one or phone a friend or rekindle an older relationship that nourished you in the past. It is easier said than moved through💗 #traumawisdom #selfcare #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #2025recoveryjourney #nervoussystemhealing

Beginnings and endings as the new year comes 🕯️. Lots to celebrate, honour, mourn and laugh through. #traumawisdom #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #medicaltrauma

Beginnings and endings as the new year comes 🕯️. Lots to celebrate, honour, mourn and laugh through. #traumawisdom #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #medicaltrauma

One moon circle after solstice-the darkest night of the year 🌑🌘🌓🌒🌖🌕. From these dark nights, the messiness Tara Brach writes about can be felt more. Anxiety about health, relationship struggles, anger, fear…..difficult stories we are all familiar with. So I plunge to be with the discomfort and strange beauty of the cold ocean to awaken my connection to my own breathe. As a counsellor, I carry heavy stories with me at this time of year. My stories, ancestral stories and client stories. A heavy honour. For those of us with chronic or congenital health mountains, these times can feel poignant with deep resonance with sadness and grief alongside beauty and joy…. Maybe even hope. For those of you facing heavy loads, please search for the candle light of those who care. Message a friend, connect with a counsellor… find the ocean or the forest. Find your breath 🕯️ #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #traumawisdom #scarsarebeautful #familytraumahealing #solstice #hope

One moon circle after solstice-the darkest night of the year 🌑🌘🌓🌒🌖🌕. From these dark nights, the messiness Tara Brach writes about can be felt more. Anxiety about health, relationship struggles, anger, fear…..difficult stories we are all familiar with. So I plunge to be with the discomfort and strange beauty of the cold ocean to awaken my connection to my own breathe. As a counsellor, I carry heavy stories with me at this time of year. My stories, ancestral stories and client stories. A heavy honour. For those of us with chronic or congenital health mountains, these times can feel poignant with deep resonance with sadness and grief alongside beauty and joy…. Maybe even hope. For those of you facing heavy loads, please search for the candle light of those who care. Message a friend, connect with a counsellor… find the ocean or the forest. Find your breath 🕯️ #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #traumawisdom #scarsarebeautful #familytraumahealing #solstice #hope

Beatrice is learning to be a therapy dog. She has begun her work with some children already and her deep breaths and calm body act as a regulator in our play therapy room. When big feelings come, she is there to pat, to breathe with or to just be. #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #traumawisdom #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #bcchildrenshospital #playtherapy #familytraumahealing #greatdane #greatdanesofinstagram

Beatrice is learning to be a therapy dog. She has begun her work with some children already and her deep breaths and calm body act as a regulator in our play therapy room. When big feelings come, she is there to pat, to breathe with or to just be. #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #traumawisdom #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #bcchildrenshospital #playtherapy #familytraumahealing #greatdane #greatdanesofinstagram

I love this quote. The mountains of skipping heartbeats for beautiful moments and heart scraping moments I have had as a mother reside within me. My mom and I had a quiet moment this weekend. I know how blessed I am. Truly grateful💗 There are also the hard parts. The patterns we have and the mixture of resilience and trauma in our life stories. As a therapist, a mother and a human I know this inside and out. #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #traumawisdom #medicaltrauma #birthtrauma #motherhood #familytraumahealing #familytrauma #resilientwomen

I love this quote. The mountains of skipping heartbeats for beautiful moments and heart scraping moments I have had as a mother reside within me. My mom and I had a quiet moment this weekend. I know how blessed I am. Truly grateful💗 There are also the hard parts. The patterns we have and the mixture of resilience and trauma in our life stories. As a therapist, a mother and a human I know this inside and out. #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #traumawisdom #medicaltrauma #birthtrauma #motherhood #familytraumahealing #familytrauma #resilientwomen

It’s still a challenge for me to breathe deeply into moments. Slowing down is hard…. My nervous system revs to keep me safe, even when I am in moments of peace. So it’s the little patterns and routines. Bring in the healing ocean and staying in the moment. Hearing the birds and the waves and my heartbeat….#registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #traumawisdom #medicaltrauma #scarsarebeautful #truamahealing

It’s still a challenge for me to breathe deeply into moments. Slowing down is hard…. My nervous system revs to keep me safe, even when I am in moments of peace. So it’s the little patterns and routines. Bring in the healing ocean and staying in the moment. Hearing the birds and the waves and my heartbeat….#registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #traumawisdom #medicaltrauma #scarsarebeautful #truamahealing

I held in my memories of fear and confusion thinking I should be brave and strong. I am coming to know my protective trauma responses and hold them tight. These patterns helped me survive and achieve and they also ignited fear and panic even when I was out of a hospital and in a safer space. My work is with clients whose stories are so diverse. The one connection is how they bravely hold their stories when they reach out for therapy💗 Please reach out if you would like to begin to work with me. My practice has expanded hours……#registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #traumawisdom #medicaltrauma #familytherapy #scarsarebeautful #chd #safespace #therapistnearme

I held in my memories of fear and confusion thinking I should be brave and strong. I am coming to know my protective trauma responses and hold them tight. These patterns helped me survive and achieve and they also ignited fear and panic even when I was out of a hospital and in a safer space. My work is with clients whose stories are so diverse. The one connection is how they bravely hold their stories when they reach out for therapy💗 Please reach out if you would like to begin to work with me. My practice has expanded hours……#registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #traumawisdom #medicaltrauma #familytherapy #scarsarebeautful #chd #safespace #therapistnearme

So grateful for this down to earth grounded honest book💗 it is backwards text for you all, but you get my drift! #raisingsecurelyattachedkids #attachmentnerd #familytherapy #registeredclinicalcounsellor #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #handstoheart #attachmenttheory

So grateful for this down to earth grounded honest book💗 it is backwards text for you all, but you get my drift! #raisingsecurelyattachedkids #attachmentnerd #familytherapy #registeredclinicalcounsellor #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #handstoheart #attachmenttheory

@thechdpodcast such beautiful work building stories together 💗 my younger self would have loved to feel the community of congenital heart survivors around and not the aloneness I did experience. Thank you for this bravery.

@thechdpodcast such beautiful work building stories together 💗 my younger self would have loved to feel the community of congenital heart survivors around and not the aloneness I did experience. Thank you for this bravery.

Why do children who have experienced medical trauma find it difficult to regulate their emotions and responses? Why do they have challenges in school? With friendships and relationships? In my own healing and with the children and families I work with I have learned about how unprocessed medical trauma and protective trauma responses can be hidden inside the hearts of the children. Their body and nervous system “keeps score” and remember inside. Sometimes, a teacher, parent or friend doesn’t know these invisible experiences and can misunderstood the behaviour they see, whether it is silence, aggression, disconnection or something else. It takes time to open our hearts to healing. I know this as I am the child in this picture. Waiting for surgery and being brave already hiding my story away in my own heart💗 #congenitalheartdefect #scarsarebeautifulproject #bcchildrenshospital #playtherapy #bcregisteredclinicalcounsellor #pediatricmedicaltrauma #pmts #truamahealing #thebodykeepsthescore

Why do children who have experienced medical trauma find it difficult to regulate their emotions and responses? Why do they have challenges in school? With friendships and relationships? In my own healing and with the children and families I work with I have learned about how unprocessed medical trauma and protective trauma responses can be hidden inside the hearts of the children. Their body and nervous system “keeps score” and remember inside. Sometimes, a teacher, parent or friend doesn’t know these invisible experiences and can misunderstood the behaviour they see, whether it is silence, aggression, disconnection or something else. It takes time to open our hearts to healing. I know this as I am the child in this picture. Waiting for surgery and being brave already hiding my story away in my own heart💗 #congenitalheartdefect #scarsarebeautifulproject #bcchildrenshospital #playtherapy #bcregisteredclinicalcounsellor #pediatricmedicaltrauma #pmts #truamahealing #thebodykeepsthescore

The most beautiful gift ever….my playroom is filled with love of toys played with by years of other children. #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #bcchildrenshospital #medicaltrauma #traumawisdom #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #playtherapy #legacy

The most beautiful gift ever….my playroom is filled with love of toys played with by years of other children. #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart #bcchildrenshospital #medicaltrauma #traumawisdom #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #playtherapy #legacy

The connection between my own childhood and my profession as a family therapist is hearts…. I was born with a congenital heart condition which truly settled me into understanding the beauty and pain of being a human. I wrote this blog in honour of my own family and me as a little girl and a grown woman. The children anxiously families I work with. My mother, my family, my grandmothers, my aunties….its a lot to be brave. Medical trauma can be hidden under our skin and in our hearts. It can be hard to be present with and feel. If you have a moment, I would be honoured if you read this. If you know of families looking for a counselling in medical trauma share my name. I always have space for those families in my practice. #bcchildrenshospital #medicaltrauma #scarsarebeautful #tetrologyoffallot #truamahealing #handstoheart #registeredclinicalcounsellor #bcacc https://www.handstoheart.online/post/childhoodmedicaltrauma

The connection between my own childhood and my profession as a family therapist is hearts…. I was born with a congenital heart condition which truly settled me into understanding the beauty and pain of being a human. I wrote this blog in honour of my own family and me as a little girl and a grown woman. The children anxiously families I work with. My mother, my family, my grandmothers, my aunties….its a lot to be brave. Medical trauma can be hidden under our skin and in our hearts. It can be hard to be present with and feel. If you have a moment, I would be honoured if you read this. If you know of families looking for a counselling in medical trauma share my name. I always have space for those families in my practice. #bcchildrenshospital #medicaltrauma #scarsarebeautful #tetrologyoffallot #truamahealing #handstoheart #registeredclinicalcounsellor #bcacc https://www.handstoheart.online/post/childhoodmedicaltrauma

This is why it is so important to take that time as therapists to breathe into our own regulation so that we can be present and share our own breath, heartbeat and curiosity with those we work with. #playtherapy #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart

This is why it is so important to take that time as therapists to breathe into our own regulation so that we can be present and share our own breath, heartbeat and curiosity with those we work with. #playtherapy #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #registeredclinicalcounsellor #handstoheart

So so inspired! The Synergetic Play Therapy Webinar 🌈 beginning a new program with play therapists all over the world 💫

#synergeticplaytherapy #lisadion #interpersonalneurobiology #playtherapy #handstoheart #systemsintransformation

So so inspired! The Synergetic Play Therapy Webinar 🌈 beginning a new program with play therapists all over the world 💫

#synergeticplaytherapy #lisadion #interpersonalneurobiology #playtherapy #handstoheart #systemsintransformation

#polyvagaltheoryintherapy #registeredclinicalcounsellor #medicaltrauma #traumawisdom #dohardthings #findease

#polyvagaltheoryintherapy #registeredclinicalcounsellor #medicaltrauma #traumawisdom #dohardthings #findease

#registeredclinicalcounsellor #traumawisdom #handstoheart #somatichealing #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #familytherapy #playtherapy

#registeredclinicalcounsellor #traumawisdom #handstoheart #somatichealing #polyvagaltheoryintherapy #familytherapy #playtherapy

It’s the little things…. Walking with friends, being quiet with birds and enjoying the moments where heartbeats are felt. If you would like to book an appointment, connect with me at handstohearttherapy@gmail.com 💛🐦‍⬛🌈

It’s the little things…. Walking with friends, being quiet with birds and enjoying the moments where heartbeats are felt. If you would like to book an appointment, connect with me at handstohearttherapy@gmail.com 💛🐦‍⬛🌈

The last breath work circle I attended was beautiful 🩵 Thank you.

The last breath work circle I attended was beautiful 🩵 Thank you.

Hopeful somatic work in healing developmental trauma of @drpeteralevine and @traumaattachmenttraining Diane Pool Heller. So grateful for this work and how it is informing my practice🌈

Hopeful somatic work in healing developmental trauma of @drpeteralevine and @traumaattachmenttraining Diane Pool Heller. So grateful for this work and how it is informing my practice🌈

Our grade 6 class had a wonderful experience with this program last year 🩵 I highly recommend it. Very powerful.

Our grade 6 class had a wonderful experience with this program last year 🩵 I highly recommend it. Very powerful.

This book ❤️ Thank you to @drlizamorton @tracylivecchi for sharing your own heart full stories, research and wisdom. I was also born with a congenital heart condition that has made my life story challenging and scary and arms wide open full of beautiful moments. My little me carried her bravery for herself and others and this familiar fierceness is surfacing again as I change careers from longtime teacher to counsellor ❤️ Reading this book felt like having tea with some heart sisters who have also shared the scary moments I have. #scarsareyourstory #bcchildrenshospital

This book ❤️ Thank you to @drlizamorton @tracylivecchi for sharing your own heart full stories, research and wisdom. I was also born with a congenital heart condition that has made my life story challenging and scary and arms wide open full of beautiful moments. My little me carried her bravery for herself and others and this familiar fierceness is surfacing again as I change careers from longtime teacher to counsellor ❤️ Reading this book felt like having tea with some heart sisters who have also shared the scary moments I have. #scarsareyourstory #bcchildrenshospital

❤️@rootandthrivenorthvan #community

❤️@rootandthrivenorthvan #community

The next chapter 📖. Meeting with my advisor to finish the final paper❤️ #cityuniversity #almostacounsellor #Beatrice #therapydogs

The next chapter 📖. Meeting with my advisor to finish the final paper❤️ #cityuniversity #almostacounsellor #Beatrice #therapydogs

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