Dee Laverdure
MSW, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Fort Langley
In 2016, I was fortunate to complete Indigenous Focusing-Oriented Trauma therapy program (IFOT), which provided me with the philosophical foundations needed to address complex trauma. Eventually, I became a coach and helper in the teaching room where I was able to deeply root IFOT skills into my work. To briefly describe this model, IFOT is a body-centred process one can begin to find unique bodily wisdom, heal and make meaning of the complex traumatic experiences. For me, this approach couples well with the wholistic approach that reaches to rebalance within the mind, body, heart and spirit. Inspired by Eugene Gendlin’s Focusing-Oriented Therapy, IFOT fosters a compassionate and curious therapeutic relationship. Its principles are adaptable and can be helpful to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people within applied psychology.
Of course IFOT is not the only way we can hold space together. In my counselling journey, I have had the opportunity to explore and incorporate many other modalities including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness-based care, Attachment and relational-based knowledge or even Solution-Focused or Narrative ways of being. For myself, no matter the approach, being able to address and meet client needs sits in the crux od good care. With certainty, you can expect a complete and honest approach in our connection and one that rests on the heals of both anti-oppressive and anti-racist worldviews.
Before I close this connection, I want to share that I am a registered Social Worker with the Province of British Columbia. I am in good standing with both the BC College of Social Work as well as the BC Association of Social Work. Both organizations are registration bodies that hold me accountable to the public and to strong ethical practice.
For now, it has been good to connect and I trust you will find your way to the right place where you can find the support you are searching for. I wish you wellness in good heart.
My name is Diane Laverdure, and I am a grateful visitor to the territory of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Matsqui and Semiahmoo First Nations where I have lived, worked and played for nearly four decades. I am thankful for the hospitality of these Nations and strive to be a good relative and visitor as a Métis, Irish, white presenting guest.
I am glad you found your way here and are seeking support for your wellness. I know that finding a good fit in a therapeutic counsellor is especially important as it is in this relationship where we express some of our most vulnerable aspects of who we are. Hopefully, I can adequately express who I am and that will bring ease and trust in this searching. To begin, I have worked in the helping field for over thirty years, with many of those years dedicated to a Clinical Social Work counselling practice. I am passionate about my work and, even in the shifting sands and changing landscapes in therapeutic communities, I remain solid and grounded in my love for therapeutic counselling. I view it as a privilege to be able to hold space with others in their healing journey.
From an educational purview, I earned a Masters in Social Work with Sir Wilfrid Laurier University where I focused on an Indigenous Field of Study. Prior to this, I held a generalist Bachelor of Social Work degree that afforded me the ability to work therapeutically with youth, adults, couples, families, as well as with groups and communities. Other trainings brought me to understand and learn body-based therapies which eventually became the heartbeat of my practice.