Counselling

What is Counselling and who is it for?

Counselling is a professional, collaborative, and holistic process that supports individuals in addressing emotional, psychological, and interpersonal challenges through evidence-based practices. At its core, counselling involves a trained mental health professional working with a client in a safe, confidential, and empathetic environment to promote self-awareness, emotional healing, and personal growth.

The therapeutic environment within counselling is a space to explore, reflect, and connect inwards with your own body, mind, heart, and spirit in an intentional way. It offers a sanctuary for self-discovery, contemplation, and healing whether that be a place to process unacknowledged emotions, a space to actively brainstorm solutions for life challenges, an environment to look at unhealed wounds.

Counselling is for anyone navigating life’s challenges—big or small. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, facing a specific issue, or simply seeking greater self-understanding, counselling offers a safe, supportive space to explore your thoughts and emotions. It's not just for those in crisis; it’s for anyone who wants to grow, heal, and live more authentically.

What is Navin's approach in this work?

My approach to counselling draws upon a diverse range of therapeutic modalities and philosophies (person-centered, existential, humanistic, transpersonal, motivational interviewing, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and attachment theory). In this way I adhere to an integrative approach to counselling which honours that each person is unique and therefore what may work for some may not work for others, highlighting the importance of first and foremost meeting people where they are at and only then proceeding from there.

One of my core beliefs in this work is that you as a human being have the capacity and ability to heal yourself, acknowledging the inherent strength, resilience, and wisdom that resides within every person. In this way, counselling is about co-creating a space where you feel empowered to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences, and ultimately discover your own capacity to heal and grow - honouring that you are not a passive recipient of healing, but an active participant in the transformative process.

I believe that within every person lies the key to unlock the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual blocks that are preventing the change or healing they seek. My role as a counsellor is to provide the right conditions for you to discover what that key is, learn how to embody within, then proceed to be the agent of positive, measurable change in your own life.

It's truly an honour to do this work and to walk alongside you in your journey, self-growth, and transformation.

What is the structure like?

While each person’s journey is unique, the counselling process typically follows a consistent framework to ensure clarity, safety, and measurable progress.

Step 1 - Intake Call (Free 15 Minute Consultation): The intake call is the first step in beginning your counselling journey. This brief, confidential conversation is designed to understand your needs, answer your questions, and help determine if working together is the right fit.

Step 2 - Commence Sessions: During ongoing sessions—typically weekly or bi-weekly—the counsellor and client work together using evidence-based techniques tailored to the client's needs. This phase may involve mindfulness, trauma-informed approaches, or other modalities. The focus is on building insight, developing new skills, and creating meaningful change.

Step 3 - Check in/Evaluation: After engaging in therapeutic work, this is a chance to check-in and help track progress toward goals. Counsellors may adjust the treatment plan as needed to reflect new insights or shifting priorities. Clients are encouraged to reflect on their growth and bring feedback into the therapeutic process.

Counselling Focus Areas

• Grief and Loss 
• Intergenerational & Ancestral Family Trauma
• End of Life
• Inner-Child Healing
• Racial Trauma
• Spiritual Emergency and/or Exploration
• Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (Preparation & Integration)
• Men's Mental Health
• Youth
• Existential Distress
• Addiction
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Suicidal Ideation
• Life Transitions
• Attachment Wounds/Relationships 

Important Details

_{​​Pricing Individual Counselling}

(Both In person & Online)

• (50 minutes) — $160
• (80 minutes) — $210

Sliding Scale: I offer a sliding scale to a limited number of clients who encounter barriers to accessing counselling services. If this interests you please reach out.

Terms & Conditions: Payment is due in full without exception if appointments are missed or cancelled within less than 48 hours. In the case of illness or emergency, please reach out with the reason for your cancellation, and your fee may be waived. There is no penalty for changing an in-person session to an online session, even at the last minute.

Methods of Payment: Credit card and e-transfers accepted. I require a credit card on file for all clients to secure bookings, despite other forms of payment. I accept e-transfer or I use JaneApp to store all client information, which is encrypted and PIPA Complaint.

Insurance: I do not directly bill extended health care plans. Please check with your insurance provider to verify your coverage and reimbursement policy. If you have extended health benefits our sessions may be covered partially or in full.

Availability: Navin is currently available for individual counselling for in person sessions (Conscious Mind Clinic - 1033 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5L7) and telehealth online sessions).

Music Therapy & Sound Healing

MUSIC THERAPY

With a deep personal interest in the transformative power of music and sound, the practice of Music Therapy has been a core component in Navin's academic and professional life.

As a Music Therapist (BMT), Navin has worked in both clinical and therapeutic environments in the healthcare system and in private practice sharing his work within community wellness events, retreats, workshops, and conferences.

During Navin's Music Therapy academic training and clinical experience in healthcare, he has worked in various settings (children and youth in the education system, long-term geriatric care, addictions and mental health) with a diverse range of mental health diagnoses (autism spectrum disorder, alzheimer's, dementia, schizophrenia, acute psychosis both naturally occurring and substance-induced, PTSD, suicidal ideation, and depression).

Drawing from his academic studies, clinical practice, and lived experience Navin defines Music Therapy as the evidence-based therapeutic practice within clinical and community environments that uses music therapy-based interventions to achieve therapeutic goals by addressing various domains of the human experience (emotional, cognitive, spiritual, psychological). These music-therapy based interventions can include, but are not limited to, active music-making, songwriting, lyric analysis, receptive music listening, music-assisted relaxation, and singing or vocal interventions. Core components of Music Therapy includes assessment, treatment planning, music-therapy based interventions, establishing a therapeutic relationship, and evaluation and documentation.

Music therapy offers a structured, evidence-based approach to support mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being through music. It provides a space for self-expression, emotional processing, and connection, especially for individuals who may struggle with traditional forms of communication. The practice itself is widely adaptable across age groups and clinical settings, from hospitals and schools to rehabilitation centers and mental health care.

SOUND JOURNEY

Drawing on his practice as a Music Therapist (BMT) and creative works as a musician, Navin currently offers an immersive experience with sound as an evidence-based practice tool that utilizes music and sound and their various components (melodic and harmonic structure, composition, tone, pitch, vibration, and frequency) as an aid for tending to physical, emotional, psychology, and spiritual health and well-being.

A Sound Journey for healing is a therapeutic experience that uses carefully selected or improvised sounds to guide listeners into deep states of relaxation, introspection, and emotional release. Rooted in both ancient traditions and modern neuroscience, sound journeys engage the auditory system to influence brainwave activity, support nervous system regulation, and promote holistic well-being. 

Through carefully curated blend of live instrumentation (acoustic guitar, flute, crystal singing bowls, voice) and digital audio production (midi keyboard, ambient soundscapes, computer software) Navin creates an auditory sanctuary—an immersive experience that is designed to be experienced in conjunction with a wellness practice or modality (breathwork, mindfulness meditation, yoga, journaling).

Navin perceives sound itself as a source of medicine, an ally that co-exists alongside us during this human experience, a tool not only for fostering creativity and imagination, but also for facilitating deep restoration and transformation. In his work, Navin sees sound a tool which adheres to holistic wellness which acknowledges of the importance of collectively tending to the body, mind, heart, and spirit on the path of healing.

Each session is an invitation to reconnect—with yourself in body, heart, mind, and spirit.

Availability: Navin is currently available to offer his work for private sessions, community wellness events, workshops and retreats

Yoga

The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root "yuj", which means "to join" or "to unite." In this way, yoga refers to a practice, routine, or discipline that aims to unite the body, mind, and spirit, promoting overall harmony and balance. This ancient practice has played a pivotal role in Navin’s personal journey and healing, and he is grateful to be able to offer it back to others

Navin studied with Arkaya Yoga and completed his 250+ hour Teacher Training program in 2018, led by the founder Maitreyi Yogacharini (Holistic Coach, Healer, Training, Speaker, Film Maker). Navin can teach the Arkaya practice which is a mindfulness based practice that is comprised of the traditional forms (Vinyasa, Yin, Hatha), focusing specifically on breath and body awareness. He is also teaches more active, flow-based classes that are strength based focused

Overall the practice itself of cultivating meditative states daily is refereed to as Sadhana in Sanskrit. In Yoga, through the asanas (physical postures), jathis (conscious rhythmic movement) pranayama (breath control), and meditation (dhyana) you work together to create and unify the mind, body, heart, and spirit

When the body is at ease the mind becomes calmer, and through mindfulness and presence, one can connect to a deeper sense of being. Whether you’re new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, Navin’s sessions offer an accessible path to deepening one's connection to the body, mind, and heart

Availability: Navin is currently available to offer his work for private sessions, community wellness events, workshops and retreats