About
I was born and raised in the Fraser Valley and have a deep appreciation for farming and small town living. I have raised my three children, and I am entering the privileged stage of grandparenting. I have learned so much about myself and parenting through this process. I have made mistakes and experienced pain along the way and I have worked hard to repair in my relationships. I am passionate about working with families and their children and view all behaviour through the lens of neurobiology and polyvagal theory. All behavior has meaning and is driven by an attempt to regulate pain. I am also passionate about learning
and try to stay up to date on current research and practice. In addition, I frequently work with first responders and their families. I have lived experience in this area within my family and appreciate the toll that serving others can take on individuals.
Learn more about Nest & Co. and our services at our FAQ page!
I am Dr. Paula Jacobs, with a career spanning nearly three decades as a Registered Nurse primarily focusing on children and families. My passion for understanding the human mind and behavior led me to pursue a Doctor of Psychology Degree (Psy.D), further enhancing my expertise as a Registered Clinical Counsellor. My approach to therapy is rooted in the belief that each individual is the expert of their own life, guiding the collaborative effort to address their unique challenges and achieve their personal goals.
In my practice, I work extensively with children, youth, parents, and families, helping them to adjust to life’s transitions and overcome personal obstacles. My training across various specialties allows me to tailor my therapeutic methods to suit the specific needs of each client, employing a flexible and integrative approach. I place a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship, as building trust is fundamental to creating a safe and supportive environment where my clients can feel secure to share and explore their experiences.
This trusting relationship is the cornerstone of my practice, enabling us to work together effectively towards healing and growth. My background in nursing combined with my psychological expertise equips me with the tools to provide comprehensive support, ensuring that both the mental and physical aspects of health are addressed. Through this holistic approach, I am committed to helping my clients achieve a balanced and fulfilling life.
Welcome to my practice. I have a deep appreciation for the challenges that come with seeking help, recognizing the vulnerability involved. It’s important to acknowledge that experiencing psychological pain does not reflect weakness; it is a universal human experience. As a registered play therapist and supervisor, I focus on treating each client with kindness and respect, using my extensive training in trauma therapy, including EMDR, to tailor my approach to individual needs.
In our sessions together, we’ll explore not just the events in your life, but more importantly, how you make sense of them. This perspective shift can be transformative, particularly for first responders and their families, with whom I’ve worked extensively. Whether you are dealing with family dynamics, the impact of trauma, or the stresses of everyday life, I offer a therapeutic partnership. I believe in creating a collaborative environment where you can learn to view yourself with compassion and empowerment.
My practice also extends to unique areas such as childbirth trauma and Infant Mental Health, where I integrate my skills as a Registered Play Therapist. This role enables me to assist parents and children in healing together, fostering stronger familial bonds through therapeutic play and shared understanding. Together, we will work towards not just healing but thriving, as you learn to apply a lens of kindness and strength to your own narrative.
Meet Bernadette, a compassionate and dedicated registered clinical counsellor who has devoted the last two decades to supporting families raising children with diverse abilities. Bernadette brings a unique and eclectic blend of expertise to help individuals, couples, and families on their journey toward healing and growth.
With a foundation deeply rooted in attachment theory, Bernadette understands the pivotal role of secure emotional connections in fostering resilience and well-being. This foundational perspective informs the therapeutic framework, creating a safe and supportive space where clients can explore their unique challenges and strengths. The attachment lens also guides Bernadette’s work with families raising children with diverse abilities, recognizing the importance of cultivating strong familial bonds to navigate the complexities that may arise.
Embracing the principles of emotionally-focused therapy, Bernadette strongly emphasizes understanding and addressing the emotional experiences within relationships; both with ourselves and each other. By delving into the emotional core of these patterns of interaction Bernadette helps individuals connect to their resilience and foster a deeper understanding of self and one another.
Bernadette is passionate about creating a trauma-informed therapeutic space. This approach recognizes the widespread impact of trauma on individuals and families and ensures that the counselling process is sensitive, validating, and empowering. Bernadette fosters a sense of safety and trust by integrating trauma-informed principles, laying the foundation for healing and growth.
By combining a diverse set of therapeutic tools with a genuine and empathetic approach, Bernadette is dedicated to helping build resilience, strengthen connections, and embark on a journey toward positive transformation and well-being.
BA-Child Youth and Family Studies, M.Ed., MACP., RCC
I have always felt drawn to work alongside others as they strive to make sense of their world. I spent my early working years as part of the medical community, and for a brief time explored teaching. It was the birth of my son and the equally beautiful, messy, and challenging experiences of parenting that had me reassessing what I wanted to do with my professional life. While working as an early childhood developmental specialist and parent coach I completed an additional degree in counseling psychology. I feel as though I have found my heart’s work now, as I join families wherever they are in their journey, supporting them as they work to strengthen their connection, repair hurts, and grow stronger together.
I practice from a person-centered perspective, believing that each person is the true expert on their needs. Healing and growth occur within safe, non-judgmental relationships and I am committed to creating this with my clients.
My approach is strongly rooted in Attachment theory and influenced by Interpersonal Neurobiology and the science of Self-Compassion. I am trained in many different therapeutic modalities some of which include:
In addition to my private practice, I enjoy working as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Clinician. My skills and knowledge base are ever-evolving and growing as I embrace being a lifelong learner. My instincts are to seek mentorship and clinical supervision for guidance in my work, as I expect nothing less than my best for my clients.
Karisa graduated from the University of Alberta’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program and has since practiced in mental health and pediatric settings. She is passionate about working collaboratively with neurodivergent children, youth, and their families. Her approach involves fostering a sense of safety, connection, and functional skill building through meaningful occupations. Karisa uses a flexible and eclectic therapeutic style drawing on a variety of evidence-informed methods to best meet the unique goals, interests, and strengths of individuals and their support systems.
Practice Areas
What is Occupational Therapy (OT)?
The goal of OT is to support children, youth, and their families to engage in activities that are important to them. Occupations include everything a child does in their day from getting dressed to going to school and participating in leisure activities like play.
OTs do not aim to “fix” differences but rather understand how strengths and interests can be used as building blocks for progress. Emphasis is placed on adapting the task or environment to enable participation in meaningful activities.
Sarah is currently completing her master’s in counselling psychology at Yorkville University. Sarah believes everyone should have a safe and healing place where they can work through life’s difficulties. She believes that the therapeutic relationship should be one of authenticity, collaboration, and one that feels safe and supportive. She pulls from a blend of mind-body approaches and is flexible to meet each client’s needs. She prioritizes trust in her therapeutic relationships and hopes to help clients find more adaptive habits that lead to more meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Laurel Paracy is our remote administrator, assisting with billing, accounts receivable, and tech issues behind the scenes. In her free time, Laurel enjoys spending time with her family, kickboxing, and performing in a local band.
201-45744 Gaetz St.
Chilliwack, BC V2R 3P1
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