Linnea Strom, Registered Social Worker

Written By Sarah Pullman

Linnea Strom, RSW (she/her)

AREAS OF FOCUS:

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences

  • Complex trauma

  • Anxiety

  • Relationships

  • Chronic Illness and Medical Trauma

  • Parenting

  • Gender and Sexuality Affirming

THERAPY MODALITIES:

  • Somatic Attachment Therapy

  • Emotion Focused therapy

  • Body-centred and somatic approaches

  • Trauma-informed therapy

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH Linnea

I believe that learning about ourselves in relationship to others is some of the most important and hardest work we do in our lives. As a Registered Social Worker, somatic therapist, and life coach, I am passionate about working with folks who want to heal from past and current life experiences, trauma, and limiting beliefs so they can experience more emotional ease and healthier connections in their life. My goal in sessions with you is to create a safe and caring space where we can work together on whatever brings you to counselling. I am keenly aware of the layers present within power and potential for imbalance and seek to create a dynamic where we learn from each other as equals. 

As a human being, I come from a calm, love-centred, non-judgmental place and always endeavour to understand how our unique lived experience contributes to both our oppression and to our liberation. As a sexuality and gender affirming practitioner, I also bring a personal understanding of these diverse and important aspects of ourselves that continue to evolve throughout our lifetime. With extensive experience around medicalization and changing health/ability throughout the life span, I offer space to connect to and negotiate this changing reality. Through my own parenting and working with diverse parents I bring an in-depth understanding of parenting as shadow-work and the desire to work with our families to heal inter-generational wounds. 

My sessions with clients are primarily online, but I have found that virtual sessions can be just as deep and meaningful and effective as in person, for many people.

Linnea’s EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

As a lifelong learner, I have always been deeply curious about the ways in which we connect and communicate. This led to studying psychology at SFU in the 1990’s and again in 2016, taking a coaching certification in 2005, then getting both a Bachelor of Social Work in 2022 and then a Master of Social Work in 2024. As well, I am halfway through a two year somatic psychotherapy training. I also practice as a Registered Social Worker in a health authority, which gives me insight and knowledge on how to support folks through navigating health, financial and social service systems. 

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

I spent most of my life in Vancouver but moved to Vancouver Island a few years ago and love the natural beauty and peace it affords. I’m a parent of two young adults, love being creative (I also obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts from SFU in 2014!), being in nature, learning almost anything, and strange adventures of all sorts.

FEES

Sessions with Linnea are $140 per 50 minute session. No GST applies on RSW sessions. 

HOURS

Linnea is available Tuesday and Thursday from 5-8pm and some Sundays during the day. Currently Linnea is only available for virtual appointments.

Relevant Professional Training

  • Somatic Psychotherapy Training - 2023-2025 - Bringing the Body into Practice with Lisa Mortimore

  • Masters of Social Work - 2024 - University of Victoria

  • Qualified Health Care Provider – 2023 - Adult Guardianship Act (RSBC)

  • Bachelor of Social Work - 2022 - University of Victoria

  • Educational Psychology post-graduate studies - 2015 - Simon Fraser University

  • Social Work pre-courses - 2020 - Thompson Rivers University

  • Bachelor of Visual Arts - 2014 - Simon Fraser University

  • Coaching Certification – 2005 - Erickson College

Workshops and webinars

  • Essential Conversations: Sensitive Questions and Messages in Healthcare - 2024

  • Trauma Informed Care - 2022 - Centre for Collaboration Motivation and Innovation

  • Intro to Gender Diversity (expanded) - 2022 - Provincial Health Services Authority

  • Eating Disorders and Substance Use - 2021 - Fraser Health Authority

  • Cultural Safety and Humility - 2021 - Island Health

  • Responding to Gender-Based Violence - 2021 - Provincial Health Services Authority

All of the counsellors at Bodymind Counselling gratefully live and practice on the lands of Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

Sarah Pullman
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