Hey there,
We're Amelia & Ciara
Co-founders of Unmasking YYJ
We are both Registered Clinical Counsellors & proud ADHD’ers. We believe in creating spaces for community, learning, healing, and laughter.
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Here’s a bit more about us:
Nice to Meet you!
a bit more about
Amelia
Hiya! I’m Amelia.
I love learning more about people - whether it’s people watching out in public, or psychoanalyzing interactions on whatever I’m watching on TV… I have a surplus of curiosity for why we as humans do the things we do.
I approach my work with clients in the same way, whether it’s in group or one-on-one - with curiosity and a desire to understand what your unique experience has been as the multifaceted, complex person that you are. We all deserve to feel understood, and have the opportunity to clarify if/when someone misunderstands us.
The nitty gritty deets: I’ve been working with people, in some capacity of helping or service, for my entire employment life - starting with working with kids and teens when I was in high school. I graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2016, and from Yorkville University with a Master’s in Counselling Psychology in 2019. I regularly access supervision and additional training around topics such as neurodivergence, trauma-informed care, religious trauma, and body image/deconstructing diet culture.
Outside of my time at UnmaskingYYJ, you can find me working in my private practice, hanging out with my black lab Ajax, frolicking somewhere in nature (ideally swimming in a body of water), reading, or immersed in whatever craft I’m hyper fixating on at the moment (currently: embroidery).
a bit more about
Ciara
(Pronounced Kira)
Hey there, I’m Ciara.
I’ve always found so much solace in writing and storytelling.
The ways we can have such rich, detailed, complicated lives full of context that is so often ignored.
I approach my work in the same way I approach my writing: all our lives hold such important, nuanced, complex stories that deserve to take up space and be told.
And we deserve to be the authors of our own life stories.
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The nitty gritty deets: I've been working in the helping field since 2014, and graduated from City University of Seattle with a Master's of Counselling in 2019. I regularly access supervision & additional training around topics such as interpersonal violence, neurodivergence, and trauma-informed care
Outside of my time at UnmaskingYYJ, you can find me working in my private practice, hanging out with my husband & rescued galgo Rachel, or buried in whatever new craft I’m trying at the time (currently: macrame).
a bit more about
Ajax
This is Ajax! He is Amelia’s beloved 5 year old black lab, and an integral member of the UnmaskingYYJ team.
Ajax is the third co-facilitator for our Unmasking groups. His favourite activities are cuddling, napping, and farting. He is a gentle, wise soul who can’t wait to meet you! Be prepared to be greeted by him when you arrive, where he will show you his emotional support toy and then fall asleep at your feet.
