Danny Buchanan

Hello! I’m Danny

About Me

I grew up on a large sheep farm in Metchosin, one of five siblings. I loved action figures, make-believe, fantasy novels, and video games—and I still do. With three older brothers, much of my childhood was spent roaming fields and forests with one group of boys or another. A question that came up often, directly or indirectly, was: What does it mean to be a man?

The answers were wide-ranging, but many could be distilled into some version of feel less, be more. I understood the appeal of that mindset, but I was always most moved by the adults in my life who were willing to be curious, reflective, and vulnerable. I saw the effect this had on their friendships and families, and it shaped my sense that becoming a full person involves learning how to stay present with our inner world rather than armouring against it. Much of my adolescence was spent exploring what that journey looked like for me.

I’m passionate about helping people connect with the power of vulnerability and learn how to mobilize their strengths in service of a meaningful life. Maria Montessori referred to this process as “valorization”—the development of confidence, agency, and inner dignity—and this idea continues to guide my work.

With this in mind, I pursued a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Victoria, followed by a Bachelor of Education. I spent several years teaching in a local Montessori school, training in both Primary and Secondary Montessori education. Over time, I found that the moments that mattered most—for my students and for me—were the ones where we slowed down and listened to what was really going on beneath the surface. Education matters, but connection is essential.

In 2018, I spent the summer in Houston, Texas studying Montessori, adolescent development, and Nonviolent Communication with Dr. Betsy Coe. That experience further clarified the central role of connection and ultimately led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Counselling. Today, as a Registered Clinical Counsellor, I primarily work with teens and adults, while also offering parent support for families of all ages and short-term, developmentally appropriate support for children aged 8 and under.

My clinical work integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Synergetic Play Therapy, and Nonviolent Communication (NVC). At its core, my work is relational and collaborative. Mostly, I want to connect. I’m grateful for the opportunity to sit with people who are trying to better understand themselves, navigate change, and deepen their relationships with others.

Outside of work, I love swimming in cold water, comedy shows, Dungeons & Dragons, and late-night walks through the forest. My wife and children are at the centre of my life. They’re where I recharge and where much of my joy lives. As a family, we love adventuring, reading together, and spending time with grandparents.