About Balanced Therapy
I believe that every individual has the potential to live a fulfilling, healthy, and happy life. My approach to psychotherapy is balanced and holistic, which gets to the root of my clients' chronic stress, trauma, depression, overeating, fatigue, anxiety, and nervous system imbalances and aims for their overall wellness. During therapy, many of my clients not only improve their emotional and somatic well-being but also recover their sense of self and connection to their inner strength and purpose.
​
My name is Alena Naidzenka, and I am a licensed counsellor and psychotherapist. I hold a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, Canada, and two professional designations - a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Canadian Certified Counsellor. I am a registered member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).
With a background in wellness and disability management, I have over a decade of experience working in mental health in Canada. In my work, I use trauma-informed, neuroscience-based interventions that go beyond talk therapy. I am registered with most insurance companies and have direct billing with ICBC, the Canadian Red Cross and WorkBC. I provide bi-lingual counselling - in English and Russian.
My Areas of Expertise
Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural response to stress or perceived threats in life. Although anxiety is a normal emotion that everyone experiences at some point, for some people, it can become more intense and start affecting every aspect of their life. I will help you understand the root causes of your anxiety and develop coping strategies to manage your symptoms. I use evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), somatic therapy, and mindful self-compassion to help you overcome your anxiety and live a more balanced life.
Depression
Depression is more than just feeling sad or down occasionally. It is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities. I will help you identify the underlying causes of your depression and develop a realistic and managable plan that works for you. I use evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), existential therapy, internal family systems therapy (IFS), and attachment therapy to help you regain a sense of joy and purpose in your life.
Trauma & PTSD
Trauma can have a profound impact on your life, affecting your relationships, your work, and your overall well-being. It can take your whole sense of self and your whole sense of the world and trash it all at once. Trauma work involves healing your vulnerable parts and growing your big Self.
I use both somatic and cognitive evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, accelerated resolution therapy (ART), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and internal family systems therapy (IFS) to help you overcome the effects of trauma, so it doesn't define your life and who you are.
Disordered Eating
Disordered eating may or may not warrant a diagnosis of a specific eating disorder but deserves proper attention and treatment. Emotional and stress eating, frequent dieting, chronic weight fluctuations, rigid food rules, excessive exercise, and preoccupation with food and body image are some of the common symptoms of disordered eating.
I use cognitive modalities, internal family systems therapy (IFS), and accelerated resolution therapy (ART) to get to the root of the problem, break the damaging cycle of painful emotions and harmful behaviours, and develop a more loving and compassionate relationship with your body.
Stress Management
The maladaptive stress reaction refers to a state in which the body's stress response system is chronically activated, leading to a range of physical and mental health problems.
I will teach you to gain a deeper understanding of your nervous system processes, regulate your emotions and physical reactions, and retrain your brain so it changes its unhelpful responses to stress. I consider both top-down (cognitive) and bottom-up (somatic) approaches in stress management therapy and will help you develop simple but effective strategies for managing stress, allowing you to heal and come back into balance.
Chronic Illness
The modern-day healthcare system doesn’t often hold the answers for resolving chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, bacterial and viral infections, chronic pain and inflammation, mould toxicity and multiple chemical sensitivities, digestive issues and irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune diseases, and others.
To help on your journey to health and vitality, I use a holistic approach, based on the complex mind, body, and brain connections. Brain retraining and somatic therapy will help your body stop producing stress-based biochemistry and start the process of detoxifying and fighting infections on its own.