Meet Shantelle Alexandra:
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Meet Shantelle Alexandra, RCC, CCC
About Me
I believe the foundation of who we are is often written in our earliest chapters. Before stepping into the world of therapy, I worked as an early childhood educator. Witnessing the raw, beautiful complexity of how we learn to regulate, attach, and navigate the world in our first stages changed me. It taught me that while our early experiences can cast long shadows, they also hold the map to our healing.
Although my path to therapy wasn’t a straight line, every step has focused on understanding the “why” behind how we connect. Navigating complex human dynamics and conflict in high-stakes environments has made me comfortable with the crunchy bits of relationship and communication. These experiences have reinforced my belief that we are all part of a larger system and that even when in the midst of chaos, we can find a way to lead with composure and heart.
I’m passionate about helping individuals and couples develop a deep sense of connection and groundedness based on their core values. My focus is on helping you become the most authentic version of yourself so that you can mindfully choose your own responses rather than reacting to the storms around you. Ultimately, I’m dedicated to helping you connect more intimately with yourself and others.
My Approach
Healing isn’t just about “moving past” the hard things; it’s about untangling yourself from old patterns so that you can breathe a bit easier. In this place, it is easier to grow and reclaim your sense of empowerment.
From firsthand knowledge, I’ve seen how easy it is to get stuck in survival mode where it becomes impossible to thrive. I believe that while we’re all resilient, facing our fears, hurts, and oldest wounds is work that’s done best in partnership.
My work is rooted in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST). I don’t just look at the symptoms; I look at the “parts” of you that have felt unheard or overwhelmed. I believe that:
- Your body holds your story: My background in yoga and somatic practice informs how I help you move beyond “talk” to true embodied healing.
- Attachment is everything: We will look at your early chapters to see how their threads impact your adult relationships.
- Insight is the basis for transformation: From a place of understanding, you’ll develop tools to help you transform your inner world so you can lead a life that feels authentically yours.
My Commitment to You
Whether you are navigating the echoes of past trauma, seeking a deeper connection in your relationships, or walking the path of personal growth, I will walk alongside you. We’ll create a space where you can land and rediscover your strength.
My goal is to help you identify the dynamics in your connections and gain the relational tools required to shift from reactive patterns to heart-led communication. It is my privilege to help you build a life filled with nourishing, joyful connections, starting with the one you have with yourself.
Credentials
Education
- M.C. – Master’s of Counselling, City University of Seattle
- B.A. – Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Simon Fraser University
Training Completed
- Crisis De-escalation: Advanced conflict resolution and community engagement training | City of Vancouver
- Developmental Psychology: Applied expertise in emotional regulation and trauma-responsive care.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Intensive Course in Attachment-Based Interventions | PESI (Dr. Sue Johnson)
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1): Independent study and completion of foundational clinical training materials.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS): Focused independent study on “Parts Work” and relational healing.
- Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST): Supervision-informed learning based on Janina Fisher’s model.
- The Body in Therapy: Advanced coursework in somatic and embodied practices via Yoga Teacher Training
Certifications
- Shame Certification: Trauma-Informed Approach, Janina Fisher
- Indigenous Rights & Reconciliation: Specialized certification supporting Indigenous rights and systemic impact, City of Vancouver
- Gender Diversity Foundational Training: Professional competency in supporting diverse gender identities and expressions, City of Vancouver
- Child Protection Training: Core competencies in safety, ethics, and mandated reporting, City of Vancouver
- Building Respectful & Inclusive Workplaces: Focused on psychological safety and equity within professional systems, City of Vancouver
- Conflict of Interest & Ethics: Training in professional standards and boundary management within public and private sectors, City of Vancouver
- Early Childhood Education (ECE): Applied expertise in emotional regulation and trauma-responsive care
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I already know why I feel the way I do. Why do I still feel stuck in my emotions and my patterns?
This is a common hurdle! Although traditional talk therapy is excellent for insight, our oldest protective patterns and trauma responses are often stored in our nervous system rather than just our thoughts. In our sessions, we won’t just talk about your life from a distance. We’ll work collaboratively to tune into what your body is holding and explore the different parts of you that feel stuck. By bringing awareness to these places, we’ll help your nervous system process and release old survival strategies, moving you from logical understanding to embodied healing.
Q: Why do I keep ending up in the same unhealthy relationships, and how do I change that?
You can start to change your relationship patterns by looking at their root causes, not just the symptoms. The way we learn to connect, protect ourselves, and seek safety in our very early years forms a blueprint for our adult relationships. If you find yourself constantly people-pleasing, ignoring your own boundaries, or feeling responsible for everyone else’s emotions, those are old strategies that a younger part of you adapted to survive. Together, we’ll look at these patterns with zero judgment. We’ll safely connect with your underlying wounds so you can unburden them, allowing you to show up in your life and relationships feeling grounded and secure.
Q: What is "inner child work" or attachment healing?
Inner child work acknowledges that the ways we learned to cope or seek love in early childhood don’t always serve us as adults. If you find yourself falling into the same relationship dynamics or struggling with deep self-criticism, these are often younger parts of you asking for support. Together, we’ll look at these patterns with zero judgment. We’ll work to safely connect with these younger, vulnerable places, helping you unburden old wounds so you can show up in your life feeling grounded and anchored in your authentic self.
Q: I’ve tried therapy before and feel like I didn’t make any progress. What is your approach like?
Therapy with me is a heart-led, equal partnership. I don’t view myself as the all-knowing expert who is here to fix you; you are the expert on your own lived experience. My role is to provide a grounded and relational space where we can explore things as an active team. We’ll go at a pace that respects your nervous system, honours your unique capacity, and builds on the resilience you already possess. Every part of you is welcome here.
“I lived on edge for years. Shantelle helped me feel physically safe again. I am no longer just surviving.”
K.S.
“She sits with you in the messy moments. Her authentic approach helped me face my fears and find myself.”
M.R.
“We were stuck in the same argument for months. Shantelle taught us how to rebuild our connection.”
T. & J.
“Working with her taught me to trust myself. I learned how to set boundaries and feel confident.”
D.L.
“My history felt too heavy to share. Shantelle met me with warmth and zero judgment from day one.”
H.B.
Imagine a Life Where You Feel Empowered and Confident
Picture yourself overcoming challenges, building stronger relationships, and feeling more at peace.
At Quoin Counselling, we believe in your potential to achieve this and more.
Tanya Schecter's latest book is out and available for purchase
Mending Broken Hearts: Drawing on research, Relational Life Therapy, and the author's own work, Mending Broken Hearts provides a step-by-step treatment plan and specific skills for therapists. With these tools, the therapist will help couples to not only recover from infidelity, but transform their relationship into one that's more relational, more connected, and more satisfying. The end goal is a relationship grounded in intimacy and safety
Tanya Schecter's book is out and available for purchase
Lead from Your Heart: This insightful guide offers practical strategies and heartfelt wisdom to help you lead authentically, connect deeply with others, and create positive change in your personal and professional life. Embrace the journey of leading from your heart and unlock your true potential.
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