Stephanie Azari

Hello! I’m Stephanie

About Me

I am originally from Toronto and moved to Vancouver Island in 2020, where I am continually in awe of the abundant opportunities to connect with nature. I have been working with children, youth and families since 2014, after completing my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I began my career at the Hospital for Sick Children where I worked on various clinical research projects within the psychology department and later as a clinical psychometrist, administering neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessments. I then worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health where I worked on clinical research in the Concurrent Youth Unit and with outpatients. Since moving to the island, I have worked as an educational assistant for grades 8-12 and as a youth and family counsellor/outreach worker for community agencies in the Cowichan Valley and Victoria. In 2022 I began my Master of Counselling at City University of Seattle (Victoria Campus). I look forward to continuing to work alongside youth and families as a practicum student at VICYFCS.

I have a deep commitment to establishing relationships with my clients built on trust, safety, and respect. My approach to counselling is informed primarily by a belief in the healing power of our relationships with others, including the therapeutic relationship. I also strongly believe in following and amplifying the unique strengths and innate wisdom of clients of all ages. Working from a trauma-informed, culturally-attuned, systemic and anti-oppressive framework and drawing upon research-based therapeutic modalities such as cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, and emotion focused family therapy, I strive to tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of each individual and family.

I have worked with youth and families seeking support with issues related to anxiety, depression, suicidality, self-harm, identity exploration, trauma, family conflict, and grief. Much of my work over the past decade has been in supporting children and youth with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and/or learning challenges.

In my spare time I enjoy hanging out with my partner and our cat, Newton, exploring the island, reading, and playing video games.