Allison Thomson (Stickney)

I have always been drawn to helping others. My journey began at age eight, when I knew I wanted to support young people with diverse abilities. During high school, I volunteered with Special Olympics and Recreation Victoria and later completed the Community Support Worker program at Camosun College.

In my early career, I worked in group homes, licensed childcare, and school settings as an Educational Assistant. After becoming a parent, I ran a licensed in-home daycare and taught Preschool and Junior Kindergarten. During this time, I also began creating custom artwork—an ongoing passion I view as a meaningful and healing modality.

My more recent experience includes working with the Ministry for Children and Families and as a Youth and Family Counsellor in school settings. I have also worked as a Teaching Assistant and sessional instructor at the University of Victoria, where I supported, mentored, and taught undergraduate students, and contributed to curriculum development.

In 2019, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria, graduating with distinction. I went on to complete my Master of Arts in Child and Youth Care (Counselling) in 2022. My research, “The Lived Experiences of Child and Youth Care Practitioners Who Use Tactile Objects,” was supported by the Canadian Association for Play Therapy and published in 2023.

I have been working with VICYFCS since 2020. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I am also a BC Registered Play Therapist, Certified Synergetic Play Therapist, and am AutPlay certified. My training includes Dan Siegel’s Interpersonal Neurobiology, Indigenous Trauma Across the Lifespan, TransCare, and trauma-informed approaches such as The Body Keeps the Score. I have completed over 230 hours of Play Therapy training and serve on the board of the British Columbia Play Therapy Association.

I love working with children, youth, adults, parents, and family units with a specialization in children. I am proficient supporting folks with issues such as anxiety, neurodivergence, low mood, social challenges that arise with peers as we grow up, grief, change, and more. I lean into my knowledge of the nervous system, heavily using somatic work and I work collaboratively with clients to create a safe, non-judgmental space where they can explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences at their own pace. I believe that healing and growth come from feeling heard, understood, and empowered. My goal is to help clients build resilience, gain insight, and develop practical tools to navigate life with greater confidence and balance.

I am really excited to meet you and work alongside you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.