Validity Counsellors
In order to bring the highest quality of care to our clients, all Validity counsellors have Master's degrees in counselling or a related field (e.g., psychology, social work, education).
We have a diverse group of counsellors offering a variety of approaches and areas of expertise, so you can find the counsellor who is right for you.
Your counsellor will work with you to create a treatment plan unique to you, using evidence-based methods to help you learn, heal, and grow. At Validity, our counsellor-client relationships are built of the core foundations of respect, trust, caring, and empathy.
Specializes in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for couples and individuals.
*Limited availability.
Jenny is founder and owner of Validity Counselling. Prior to creating Validity, Jenny worked for 12 years as a counsellor at Walmsley Counselling Services.
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Jenny received her Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Calgary. She has completed comprehensive and advanced training in DBT. Jenny maintains a small caseload, focusing on individuals who have difficulty regulating their emotions, thoughts, behaviour, and relationships.
Jenny focuses on the way that emotions, thoughts, and behaviours interact together to form either effective or ineffective methods of coping.
Professional Association Membership: Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) - Registration #17849.
Jenny DeReis
Owner & Founder
MC Psych, RCC
Teresa DeReis
Co-Owner, M.A. Counselling Psych
Specializes in working with children and teens.
Teresa has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from UNBC and a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.
Teresa works with children and youth and has completed specialized training through the Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute (CTRI) on Play Therapy (PT), Dialectic Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Exposure & Response Prevention Therapy (ERPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and the topics of anxiety, self-injury, and resilience in youth. Teresa has also completed Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
Teresa uses a child-centered approach and play therapy with younger children. With older children and teens, she uses a person-centered approach and incorporates a blend of CBT, DBT, and/or art therapy techniques to suit each client's needs.
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Teresa provides a safe and supportive counselling space where children and teens can build confidence, learn to understand and regulate their emotions, develop healthy thought and behaviour patterns, heal from trauma, and navigate life's challenges..
LOKI
Therapy Dog
(In-Training)
Works with youth.
Loki is a 3-year-old Border Collie who is currently working on Therapy Dog Training.
Loki works with his mum, Validity Counsellor, Teresa DeReis (see bio above). Although Loki is still in training, he is a natural. He loves people and is a sensitive, intuitive, and gentle boy.
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Loki helps young clients feel safe and connected within the counselling space, helping to foster trust, relieve stress, and build confidence.
Loki has limited availability and is only in the office when scheduled with clients.
Barb Buch
MSc. Health Ed.
Specializes in holistic and resource/strength-based approaches.
Barb has a Master of Science degree in Health Education and has worked for several years in the areas of mental health, health promotion, psychoeducation, family support, addiction/recovery, and individual counselling.
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Barb utilizes a solution-focused, neuroscience-based approach to address a variety of issues including anxiety, shame, depression, stress, relationships, addictions and recovery, body image, and physical challenges/illness.
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Barb’s approach is holistic (body-mind-spirit), personalized, collaborative, and trauma-informed, drawing from a variety of modalities based on clients' wishes, needs, and abilities. Her modalities include CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, positive psychology, mindfulness, eco-therapy, and somatic-based techniques
Barb provides a non-judgmental space to enable client awareness and re-connection of body, mind, and spirit. She believes we all carry inner wisdom and resources within us, which can be brought to awareness and activated through the counselling process.
Byron Finkelstein
MEd. Counselling
Psych (Candidate)
Works with youth and adults.
Byron has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is currently completing a Master of Counselling Psychology at UNBC. In his free time, Byron loves being in nature and enjoys backcountry skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and camping.
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Byron provides a safe and confidential space where individuals can explore their emotions, thoughts, and behaviours without judgment. He utilizes Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Approaches, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Brief Therapy into his sessions.
Byron emphasizes fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation while also exploring and processing emotions. He believes in the power of solution-focused questioning to empower clients toward positive change.
Byron's compassionate and collaborative approach helps clients address concerns from a holistic perspective, supporting them on their journey toward greater well-being and fulfillment.
Specializes in trauma and culturally-informed practices.
Laurel has a Master’s in Indigenous Studies and has worked in the social services field for over 20 years. Her work is strength-based, person-centred, and holistic. She has worked with children, youth, families and communities, working from a trauma and intercultural informed practice.
She has worked with youth and adults who have been sexually exploited and who have experienced gang violence. She is skilled at working through the many layers of psychological, physical, sexual, and spiritual abuses.
Laurel believes building trust and holding safe space for individuals is paramount to healing. She focuses on expressional therapies such as play, art, crafts, writing, movement, and mindfulness practices.
Laurel Collins
MA in Indigenous Studies
Sean Hogan
MA Psych, CCC
Specializes in working with children and teens.
Sean has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from UNBC and a Master's in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.
Sean has extensive training and over a decade of experience working with children and teens, especially within the spectrums of Autism and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. He uses play therapy, Rogerian counselling, and developmental psychology approaches to help youth navigate the challenges of growing up.
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Professional Association Membership: Registered Clinical Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) - Registration #10006118.
Ida Alleman
MSc, RCC
Specializes in teen, family, Indigenous, and women’s issues.
*Limited availability.
Ida is a dedicated and experienced counsellor who has worked with children, youth, couples, and families in Prince George since 1994. She is an Adlerian Therapist with vast experience working with individual and family issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief/loss, learning disabilities, medication management, and domestic violence.
Ida excels in conflict resolution, group process, and child advocacy. She has worked extensively with Indigenous persons on and off reserve and is approved to see Indigenous persons through First Nations Health Authority.
Professional Association Membership: Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) - Registration #2869.
Savita Jaswal
RSW
Specializes in a holistic approach to health problems, grief, and loss.
*Phone and video sessions only.
Savita earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Simon Fraser University, and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from UNBC.
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Savita specializes in grief and loss and has a special interest in supporting individuals and families experiencing serious illnesses. Her practice is built on a person-centred philosophy, while also drawing from methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), attachment theory, harm reduction, solution-focused and trauma-informed practice.
Savita believes individuals have the strength and abilities to live happy and healthy life. Her role is to provide a safe, empathetic, and authentic space to support individuals in achieving their goals.
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Professional Association Membership: Registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW) - Registration #15124
Specializes in children, teens, and body image.
Sargun has a Master’s Degree in Psychology and is currently completing a PhD in Psychology.
Sargun uses a variety of approaches based on clients' age and individual needs. Her methods include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Creative Arts Therapy (CAT).
Her treatment focus is on helping people optimize their overall health and well-being and find personal meaning in their lives.
Sargun believes that when life presents us with challenges and frustrations, embracing our flaws and gaining emotional insight can help us work through these areas, which can be a liberating and empowering process.
Sargun Sandhu
MA Psych
Office Staff
Kirsten Muxlow
Co-Owner and
Office Manager
When you call our office, the friendly voice on the other end of the line is Kirsten. She can answer any questions you may have, help you find the right counsellor for your needs, and get you booked quickly and confidentially.
Kirsten has a caring and non-judgmental personality and a passion for helping others. She has several years of experience working with troubled youth, people with disabilities, and those dealing with trauma and other mental health issues.
Kirsten brings her compassionate nature to everything she does, and she excels at helping others in her role at Validity.