Hi, I’m Kim Sholinder
I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor, the founder of Sholinder Counselling Collective, and someone who genuinely believes therapy should feel a little less… clinical.
Let’s be honest—starting counselling can feel a little weird. You’re essentially meeting a stranger and then being asked to talk about the parts of your life that probably aren’t your favourite things to talk about. I get it. My goal is to make that first step feel a little less intimidating.
You don’t need to know exactly what to say or have everything figured out. Just come as you are. We’ll start from there.
I work primarily with teens, young adults, and families, and I’m especially drawn to working with people who feel misunderstood, overwhelmed, or like they just haven’t found the right fit with therapy yet.
My approach is warm, straightforward, collaborative, and strengths-based. I want to understand your experience—not just the problem you're coming in with—and work with you to find practical tools and approaches that actually fit your life.
Outside of counselling, you'll usually find me hiking or running between the mountains and the ocean. I also share my life with my rescue dog, Raisin, who has taken on the very important role of chief morale officer.
But enough about me. Ultimately, I want you to know what you can expect when you walk through my door. You don't need to have everything figured out or know exactly where to start. My job is to meet you where you are, help make sense of what's going on, and work with you to figure out what comes next.
Who I Work With
I primarily provide counselling for adolescents and young adults, typically ages 12–25, who are navigating some of life's more complicated challenges. I also provide caregiver and family counselling, helping families develop practical, collaborative strategies to improve communication, relationships, emotional wellbeing, and safety.
Anxiety, Depression & Emotional Wellbeing
Anxiety and persistent worry
Depression and low mood
Stress and overwhelm
Low self-esteem
Emotional regulation
Trauma & Difficult Experiences
Trauma and complex trauma
PTSD
Abuse and sexual assault
Grief and loss
Experiences of violence
Self-Harm & Suicidal Thoughts
Self-harm
Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
Emotional crises
Safety planning
Managing overwhelming emotions
Relationships & Family
Family conflict
Friendship and peer relationships
Romantic relationships
Communication difficulties
Boundaries
Identity & Self-Discovery
Gender identity
Sexuality
LGBTQ2S+ experiences
Self-esteem and sense of self
Exploring values and identity
Neurodivergence
ADHD
Mental Health
Anxiety
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Obsessive-compulsive concerns
Eating concerns
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
Substance Use & Addiction
Alcohol use
Substance use
Addiction
The impact of substance use on relationships and everyday life
Not sure where your concerns fit? That's okay. You don't need to know exactly what you need help with to reach out. We can talk about what's going on and figure out whether counselling might be a good fit.
My Approach
I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches and tailor my work to each person I support. There isn't one approach that works for everyone, so I focus on finding what feels useful and meaningful for you. Some of the tools I use are:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
I use CBT to help you understand the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Together, we can identify patterns that may be getting in the way and develop practical strategies for navigating difficult situations.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
I draw on DBT skills to help with emotional regulation, distress tolerance, relationships, and navigating intense emotions. These practical skills can be particularly helpful when emotions feel overwhelming or difficult to manage.
Narrative Therapy
I use Narrative Therapy to explore the stories you carry about yourself and your experiences. Together, we can look at those stories from different perspectives and consider what you want your story to look like moving forward.
Solution-Focused Therapy
I use a Solution-Focused approach to look beyond the problems you're experiencing and focus on your strengths, goals, and possibilities. We can identify what is already working and build on it.
Drama & Experiential Therapy
Sometimes talking isn't enough. I use experiential approaches to create different ways of exploring emotions, experiences, and relationships, allowing you to engage with therapy in ways that feel natural to you.
Person-Centred & Strengths-Based Therapy
At the heart of my approach is the belief that you are the expert in your own life. I work alongside you to understand your experiences, recognize your strengths, and identify what meaningful change looks like for you.
But ultimately, I don't believe therapy should be about fitting you into a particular approach—or trying to “fix” you. These are tools in my toolbox, and I'll draw on the ones that make sense for you, your goals, and what you're dealing with right now.
You know yourself better than anyone. My job isn't to tell you who you are or what you should be doing. It's to help you understand yourself a little better, build on the strengths you already have, and figure out what actually helps.
What You Can Expect From Me
Honesty.
I'll be genuine with you, even when the conversation is difficult.
No judgement.
You don't need to edit yourself to make your experiences easier for me to hear.
Practical support.
We'll work on things you can actually take outside the counselling room.
Collaboration.
This is your therapy. We'll figure out what works together.
A little humour when appropriate.
Because therapy doesn't have to be serious every second of every session.
I don't think you're broken.
Sometimes therapy can feel like someone is trying to figure out what's wrong with you.
That's not how I see it.
You already have the skills, strengths, and coping strategies that have helped you get this far. Sometimes those strategies stop working, or life changes faster than we can adapt to it.
Our work together is about figuring out what's getting in the way, what you already have going for you, and what you can build from there.
And sometimes that means having a hard conversation. Sometimes it means learning a new skill. Sometimes it means sitting with something that's really difficult.
There's no one-size-fits-all version of therapy. It is a collaborative process, and we will work together to build the approach that is best for you.
A Little About Me
When I'm not counselling, you'll usually find me somewhere between the mountains and the ocean—hiking, running, or generally trying to spend as much time outside as possible.
And then there's Raisin, my rescue dog. She came from a pretty devastating background and has spent a lot of time learning what safety, trust, and a new life can look like.
Watching her figure that out has been a pretty constant reminder that change is possible, even when things have been really hard.
Prefer To Meet In Person?
While I offer online counselling across Canada, I also see clients in person in Victoria, BC.
There’s something different about sitting across from someone in the same room, and for some people, that’s simply a better fit. If you’d prefer to meet face-to-face, I’d be happy to connect with you in person and see if we’re a good fit.
Finding the right counsellor matters
Counselling is personal. You don't have to choose a counsellor just because they have the right credentials on paper.
You should feel comfortable with them. You should feel heard. And you should feel like you can actually be yourself.
If you're not sure whether I'm the right fit, I'm happy to have a conversation and help you figure that out. And if someone else in the collective is a better match, I'll help connect you with them.
Ready to see if we're a good fit?
We offer FREE 15-minute consultations to get to know each other.