Özlem Mavis, Registered Therapeutic Counsellor

Özlem Mavis, RTC (she/her)

AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Heartbreak and Relational Wounds

• Anxiety 

• Trauma and C-PTSD

• 2SLGBTQIA+

• Life Transitions

• Immigration and Cross-Cultural Issues

THERAPY MODALITIES:

• AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy)

• Body-centered and Somatic Approaches

• Emotion Focused Therapy

• Expressive Arts Therapy

• Focusing-Oriented Dreamwork

• Spiritually-Integrated Psychotherapy

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT WHEN WORKING WITH ÖZlem

I am here to hold your pain, your longing, and your courage with deep respect and tenderness. I view therapy as an opportunity to cultivate genuine connection in a supportive and empowering environment. As a trauma-informed counsellor, I recognize the importance of going at your pace and taking time to build trust between us. 

I use body-centered and somatic approaches in addition to relational and emotion-focused work. Safely reconnecting with our body may help us access our authentic feelings and inner knowing, beyond the level of thinking and analyzing. 

I understand that painful experiences and feelings can be difficult to put into words. As an expressive arts therapist, I can also offer you opportunities to process your emotions creatively–without the need for any background in the arts. Engaging with creative expression can soothe our nervous system and give rise to unexpected insights.

Together, we collaborate to discover your innate strengths, wisdom, and truth. I draw from my experience and training to support you, but I see myself primarily as a caring and open-minded companion, honoured to be with you on your journey for as long as you need.

Özlem’s EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

I started pursuing my passion for creative expression, psychology, and spirituality on an academic level during my BA at McGill University. Discovering the somatic practice of Focusing in 2017 allowed me to connect more deeply with my embodied inner knowing and inspired me to bring together my interests in service of supporting others.

After completing extensive training in Focusing & Focusing-Oriented Dreamwork, I obtained a Graduate Certificate in Spiritually-Informed Psychotherapy. My desire to integrate the healing power of creativity with counselling finally led me to my current Master’s program in Expressive Arts Therapy and Psychology.

I completed my year-long practicum at Bodymind Counselling where I began training in AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy). Outside of Bodymind, I offer individual counselling and expressive art therapy sessions to students at an alternative elementary school. In my previous career, I was a community support worker supporting individuals with diverse abilities for six years.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Fourteen years ago, I made a life changing decision to immigrate alone from Turkey to Canada. During some of my hardest times, I intuitively turned to painting and creative writing without any formal training, and experienced the healing power of the arts first hand. Meanwhile, my journey with therapy helped me explore my queerness, cultural identity, neurodivergence, past trauma, and anxiety. Knowing from personal experience that we are complex beings, I highly value honouring our authenticity and removing shame from the process of self-exploration.

In my free time, I find solace in taking long walks by the ocean, cozying up with a good book and tea, sharing quality time with my loved ones, meditating, journaling, painting and watching films that inspire me.

FEES

Sessions with Özlem are $105 per 50 minute session for individuals, plus GST. ($110.25)
Özlem is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) and many extended benefits plans will cover her services.

HOURS

Özlem is available Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 2:30-8, and Thursdays 8:30 - 2:00.

Trainings:

• AEDP Immersion - 2025 - with Diana Fosha

• Advanced Dreamwork Supervision – with Dr. Leslie Ellis

• Trauma-Informed Grief Support - 2024 - with Shauna Janz

• Kink-Aware Psychotherapy - 2024 - with Sexual Health Alliance

• Intro to AEDP - with Diana Fosha

• Transform Trauma Through Fierce Love - AEDP Institute - with SueAnn Piliero

• Making Good Use of Suffering - AEDP Institute - with Jerry Lamagna

• Getting Started or Restarted with AEDP - AEDP Institute - with Ben Lipton

• Graduate Diploma in Expressive Arts Therapy – Vancouver Art Therapy Institute

• Graduate Certificate in Spiritually Informed Psychotherapy - St. Stephen's College

• Focusing Level 4 - with The International Focusing Institute

• Embodied Experiential Dreamwork Certification - with Dr. Leslie Ellis

• Nature-based Expressive Arts Therapy Certification - with World Arts Organization

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