Luisa is centered in the photo. She smiles subtly at the camera, her dark brown hair parted on the side and resting in front of her shoulders. She is standing in front of a wooden fence, with a lush wooded area behind her. She is wearing a black sleeveless top and a few tattoos can be seen on her arms.
Luisa Ospina (she/they) - Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Clinical Consultation
To connect with Luisa email [email protected]
About
Engaging in counselling to process trauma and address challenges takes courage. Making this decision is the start of healing and growth as it takes self-awareness, vulnerability, and determination. As someone who wants to be able to support you, she wants to share a bit about herself so that you can make an informed, intentional decision and you can begin the process of building trust.
Luisa is a non-disabled, cisgender, queer, working-turned-middle class, neurodivergent, white Latinx of mixed ancestry, immigrant, settler, woman offering trauma counselling and art therapy services in Vancouver, BC on stolen xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) land. She was born and raised in Medellín, Colombia and spent a long time living and learning in the United States. These identities, experiences, and context have a profound impact on her work as a counsellor.
People she has worked with have described feeling disconnected, invalidated, and powerless after experiencing trauma and injustice. Some have felt stuck and overwhelmed in the process of reconnecting with themselves, their communities, and in navigating the dominant culture. Luisa supports clients in processing their experiences and deepening their understanding of themselves and their relationships. She affirms clients' needs and desires, and she values reciprocity and collaboration. In honoring clients' knowledge, Luisa invites them to co-create safety and exercise their self-determination. She tries to offer a direct, transparent, caring, and nonjudgmental environment. Luisa specializes in working with people who have experienced trauma, including gender and sexualized violence, experiences of ongoing oppression, and challenging life changes. She works with adults, BIPOC folks, and people in 2SLGBTQAI+ communities.
She uses an integration of various trauma-informed, relational, and client-centred approaches that are situated in intersectional feminist, anti-oppressive and social justice principles. In addition to her work as a Clinical Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor in independent practice, Luisa is an Adjunct Faculty at City University and Adler University and facilitates workshops in various community organizations.
When she is not working, Luisa enjoys making collages, painting, hiking, playing volleyball, drinking coffee, and spending time with her community. She likes to re-watch movies and TV shows. She is a Pisces and ENFP.
Approaches in Therapy
Selected Professional Training
To connect with Luisa email [email protected]
About
Engaging in counselling to process trauma and address challenges takes courage. Making this decision is the start of healing and growth as it takes self-awareness, vulnerability, and determination. As someone who wants to be able to support you, she wants to share a bit about herself so that you can make an informed, intentional decision and you can begin the process of building trust.
Luisa is a non-disabled, cisgender, queer, working-turned-middle class, neurodivergent, white Latinx of mixed ancestry, immigrant, settler, woman offering trauma counselling and art therapy services in Vancouver, BC on stolen xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) land. She was born and raised in Medellín, Colombia and spent a long time living and learning in the United States. These identities, experiences, and context have a profound impact on her work as a counsellor.
People she has worked with have described feeling disconnected, invalidated, and powerless after experiencing trauma and injustice. Some have felt stuck and overwhelmed in the process of reconnecting with themselves, their communities, and in navigating the dominant culture. Luisa supports clients in processing their experiences and deepening their understanding of themselves and their relationships. She affirms clients' needs and desires, and she values reciprocity and collaboration. In honoring clients' knowledge, Luisa invites them to co-create safety and exercise their self-determination. She tries to offer a direct, transparent, caring, and nonjudgmental environment. Luisa specializes in working with people who have experienced trauma, including gender and sexualized violence, experiences of ongoing oppression, and challenging life changes. She works with adults, BIPOC folks, and people in 2SLGBTQAI+ communities.
She uses an integration of various trauma-informed, relational, and client-centred approaches that are situated in intersectional feminist, anti-oppressive and social justice principles. In addition to her work as a Clinical Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor in independent practice, Luisa is an Adjunct Faculty at City University and Adler University and facilitates workshops in various community organizations.
When she is not working, Luisa enjoys making collages, painting, hiking, playing volleyball, drinking coffee, and spending time with her community. She likes to re-watch movies and TV shows. She is a Pisces and ENFP.
Approaches in Therapy
- Intersectional Feminism
- Trauma-Informed
- Client-Centered
- Anti-Oppressive
- EMDR
- Sex-Positive
- EFT
- IFS (Internal Family Systems)/ Parts Work
- Somatic
- Narrative
- Relational
- Harm-Reduction
- Mindfulness
- Art Therapy
Selected Professional Training
- Clinical Supervision in Counselling and Psychotherapy with Michelle Mann via JIBC
- Foundations in Somatic Abolitionism with Resmaa Menakem and Carlin Quinn via Education for Racial Equity
- Stepping Stone: 16-week Comprehensive IFS course, Derek Scott via IFSCA
- The Sexually Competent Therapist: Integrating Sex Therapy Into Your Practice, Diana Sadat via Allura Sex Therapy Centre
- Intensive Sex Therapy Training Program, Dr. Markie Twist via the University of Guelph
- BDSM/Kink Therapy Training, Elyssa Helfer
- Becoming an Anti-Racist, Dr. Nathalie Edmond
- Emotionally Focused Therapy Externship, Vancouver Couples and Family Institute
- #RaceAnd The Gender Binary, Race Forward: The Center for Racial Justice Innovation
- Stratagem Virtual 2020 - Gifts From Liberation, Bakau Consulting
- EMDR Basic Training Certificate, Dr. Marshall Wilensky
- Trauma-Informed Somatic Practice Certificate, Dr. Sharon Stanley
- Land Based Trauma Healing, Shirley Ward
- Introduction to Mindfulness and Trauma, Dr. Kasim Al-Mashat
- Supporting Sex Workers, Living in Community
- Trans Inclusion Trainings, WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre
- Introduction to Mindfulness, Children’s Research Triangle
- Solidarity in Anti-Oppressive Practice, Dr. Vikki Reynolds
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Medical University of South Carolina
- Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) Core and Advanced trainings (2023)