Bruce Avery | MCP, RCC

Dec. 1

BACKGROUND

My name is Bruce Avery (he/him) and I’m a Sex Therapist and the Founder of Stellium Sex Therapy and Avery Therapy Centre. I work with a wide range of people who may seek increased perspective, self-understanding, and clarity in their everyday lives. I also work with people who may feel that anxiety, depression, or past trauma is hindering them from achieving their goals. Through my work, I hear stories of both extraordinary achievements as well as unbearable challenges. I've found the work of counselling to be incredibly fulfilling, and feel honoured when trusted with the opportunity to learn about someone’s life.

I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I moved to Vancouver in 2011, and now consider it home. Prior to working as a therapist, I had a rewarding career in the field of training and development for ten years. During this time, I learned a great deal about coaching, motivation, effective communication, and the process in which we learn and grow as individuals. I worked with various corporations designing and implementing programs to help build effective leaders and strong teams.

Following my time in the corporate world, I decided to pursue my goal of becoming a clinical counsellor. Academically, I hold a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership. I am currently working towards a PhD in Clinical Sexology and in the process of becoming a board-certified sex therapist. During my clinical practicum, I worked at both a private practice and a non-profit society for survivors of sexual abuse.

THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

My priority is to guide you towards personal growth by supporting you in clarifying your beliefs and values. This will allow you to discover your authentic self and live more fully. I believe that we all have the capacity to overcome our challenges and rewrite our stories. The healing journey allows you to develop increased awareness and insight around your experiences and equips you with tools to enable you to feel more confident. Through our collaboration and with practice, you can develop self-compassion and wholeness by becoming connected to your body and the sensations that live there. A simple analogy for our work could be cleaning the windshield so you can navigate your path with more ease and clarity - you won't have to struggle to see the path ahead of you anymore.

When working with me, you can expect to be treated with respect, care, and compassion. It is my intention to develop a foundation of trust and security and an environment in which you can explore your inner world and feel more empowered. My practice is trauma and culture informed and I work with clients from all populations. My focus is on anxiety, depression, trauma, and the LGBTQ population. Using a somatic, humanistic, and strengths-based approach, I will guide you in accessing your determination, resiliency, and internal resources to navigate life’s challenges. It is likely that you’d like to start therapy but you’re not sure where to begin. My goal is to make therapy understandable and accessible to you. During our first few sessions, we will collaborate on your treatment plan and find approaches that work specifically for you. For some people, this may be a very structured approach to correct cognition and behaviour, and for others it may involve becoming attuned to your body.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

PhD in Clinical Sexology | in progress
Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology | Adler University
Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership | Arizona State University
Intensive Sex Therapy Training Program | University of Guelph
Narrative Therapy Training | Dulwich Centre
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing | EMDRIA - EMDR Training, Sue Genest
Advanced Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing | EMDRIA - EMDR Training, Dolores Mosquera
Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Training | Therapsil Therapeutic Psilocybin
Somatic Experiencing Training, Advanced | Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute
Trauma Informed Practice Training, Alyson Quinn | Level 1, 2 & 3
Sex Therapy: Assessment, Referrals, & Best Practices | The Chicago School
Preparing the Way for Meaningful Intervention | BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Gottman Method Couples Therapy | Level 1
Telehealth for Mental Health Professionals | PESI