Hayley is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor licensed through the Association Of Cooperative Counselling Therapist (ACCT)
“There’s such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I’m such a troublesome person. If I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn’t be half as interesting. ”
About Me:
After undergoing years of traditional ‘talk therapy’ I was very aware of my patterns on an intellectual level, but had a deep curiosity about how to take things farther…
This lead me to study somatic therapy, play therapy, and clown (that’s right, I actually went to clown school) I realized what they all have in common is the cultivation of authentic presence, expression, and strengthening of intuition.
The clown tradition I studied comes from beloved Canadian clown, Richard Pochinko. He had the following dream:
“Once Richard spoke in his sleep of being in a spaceship along with others, some that we knew, some we had yet to meet. As we flew over the earth we saw people. At first he thought we were waving. As we came closer, he gasped, “No, they’re trying to get out, they’re all inside glass jars struggling to get out. Our mission is to release them, to break down the glass and let them free.”
This became Richard’s work: helping people to release themselves. He freed us to face our essential uniqueness and encouraged us to love and celebrate it. He called it the clown.”
When I read this, I felt understood in a way I never had, and this is ultimately what my own journey has been about - releasing myself from the cages of my personal and collective experience, and accepting myself fully.
When we can show up as ourselves and experience being met there, the more fulfilled we are. From here, more creativity and brilliance flows, and all that we are capable of can be born into the world. Supporting people on their own journey in ‘releasing’ themselves is one of the greatest acts of service I can provide.
“Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.”
My Approach to Counselling
At the heart of my counselling approach is relationship. I believe the quality of our connection is essential for meaningful work, so I’ll meet you with honesty, care, and integrity. I’ll check in with you along the way, so we can learn together what supports you best and adjust as needed.
My work is person-centered, meaning that you set the direction. I’ll follow where you want to go, attend to what feels most important in the moment, and support you in shaping the agenda for our sessions.
I also believe genuineness is key. The more I can be myself—without putting up a professional front or personal façade—the more space there is for you to be yourself too. I aim to be transparent and real, sharing what I notice and feel in a way that supports our work together.
I’d describe my style as warm, practical, trauma-informed, and sometimes a little playful. I draw from a mix of approaches, including nervous system education, somatic work, parts work, attachment repair, and humour. Which tools we use will always depend on what feels most supportive for you.
At its core, my work is rooted in presence, play, and relationship—both with ourselves and with others. I believe growth happens most deeply in connection. When you feel safe, understood, and less alone, things begin to move and change becomes possible.
Education & Training
EDUCATION
Certified Internal Family Systems Therapist, IFS Institute, Chicago, 2024
Certified Presence Psychotherapy, Omega Institute, New York, 2022
Synergetic Play Therapy Certification, Play Therapy Institute of Colorado, 2019
Relational Somatic Therapy Certification, Opening to Grace Institute, Vancouver, BC March 2014 – June 2017
Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences & Dialogue, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC January 2007 – August 2009
Certificate in Environmental Studies, Langara College, Vancouver, BC, September 2004 – April 2006
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Program Assistant, Internal Family Systems Level 1 & 2, 2023-Present
Program Assistant, Presence Psychotherapy Institute, Omega Institute and Hollyhock, 2022-Present
Advanced Synergetic Play Therapy, Play Therapy Institute of Colorado, 2015
Filial Therapy Training, Grove Centre for Child & Family Therapy, Burnaby, BC, April 2025
Jungian Sandtray Therapy, Level 1, Canadian Association of Sandtray Therapy, 2022
Transforming the Experienced-Based Brain, Austin Attachment and Counselling Center, 2020-2021
Touch Skills Training for Trauma Therapists, Module One, Somatic Practice, 2020
Synergistic Play Therapy Introductory Course, Play Therapy Institute of Colorado February 2018 – July 2018
Expressive Play Therapy Certificate, Justice Institute, New Westminster, BC July 2016
Forest School Training Intensive, Fresh Air Learning, North Vancouver, BC August 2015
Creative Facilitation, Partners for Youth Empowerment - Level 1 2014
Certificate 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Trinity Yoga Centre 2012
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Clown Outreach Program, The Gesundheit Institute, Patch Adams, Morocco, Africa, 2022
Creation of a one-woman show, “The Waterslide” SOULO Theatre, Tracey Erin Smith, 2021
Personal Transformation through Clown, Fantastic Space Enterprises, Vancouver, BC September 2013 – April 2015