About Glenda Bekar

My philosophy

Sharing, discussing and exploring our innermost world can be a frightening and uncomfortable experience. Delving into our emotions can bring up our inherent sense of vulnerability and yet, it is the willingness to experience this vulnerability that can lead to healing and growth.

To get to this point, the person seeking help needs to trust their counsellor, and to feel safe through understanding and acceptance. As a counsellor, I provide empathy, warmth and genuineness to help clients enter this area of trust and safety. In this space, you are free to share and explore and understand your emotions and actions without feeling judged or shamed.

This kind of self-awareness is vital to our personal growth and maturity. By becoming more aware of our own beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and examining these non-judgmentally and compassionately, we can begin to make the changes we desire within ourselves and, in turn, with our relationships with others.

I also believe therapy should be a collaborative effort. You are the ultimate expert on your life. As a counsellor, I view my role as working with you through the challenges that brought you to seek some relief from the suffering you are experiencing.

Education and experience

In addition to a sense of safety, the person seeking help also depends on their counselor to have the skills and knowledge to support and work with them through their struggles.

I graduated from the General Nursing Program at Langara College in December 1993 and have been a Registered Nurse since 1994. In 1999, I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of British Columbia and in 2009, I graduated with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from City University of Seattle. I became a Registered Clinical Counsellor through the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors in October 2009.

I have over 15 years experience working in community mental health and hospital settings. This has provided me with a wide range of experiences, from working with individuals struggling with significant physical health problems to those struggling with a major mental illness.