How I Can Help
You Can Thrive
Life's challenges can feel overwhelming.
I can help you find clarity, build confidence, and discover your sense of direction.
I offer compassionate, evidence-based therapy for individuals and couples.
Elena Kuzmina
Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Online & In-Person Therapy
I offer in-person sessions and walk and talk therapy in Vancouver, BC and online therapy across Canada.
You can choose the format that works best for you, whether it's the convenience of virtual therapy or the connection of meeting in person.
Free Consultation for New Clients
This free consultation is for new clients considering therapy with me. It’s an opportunity to discuss what brings you to therapy, explore your goals, and see if my approach aligns with your needs. There’s no obligation to commit—it’s simply a chance to connect and determine if moving forward together feels right.
15 - 20 min | Free
Depression is more than just feeling sad—it can affect your thoughts, emotions, energy levels, and ability to engage with life. It can feel like a heavy weight that makes even simple tasks seem exhausting.
Sometimes, depression shows up as numbness, where things that once brought you joy now feel distant or unimportant. It can also come with self-criticism, guilt, or a sense of hopelessness.
Whether you’re feeling persistently down or struggling with motivation and purpose, depression can make it difficult to see a way forward.
Depression
What to Look For
Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Fatigue or difficulty concentrating
Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or self-criticism
A sense of disconnection from others
Support When You’re Struggling
Depression affects everyone differently, and therapy can help you find the approach that works for you. Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), we’ll address negative thought patterns that contribute to low mood and self-doubt.
If emotions feel overwhelming or numbing, Mindfulness-Based Therapy can help you reconnect with the present moment and manage difficult feelings.
Together, we’ll work toward restoring your energy, motivation, and sense of meaning—at a pace that feels right for you.
Not sure yet? Have questions? Book a free consultation.
Relationship Dynamics & Couples Therapy
Relationships can bring connection and fulfillment, but they also require ongoing effort, communication, and understanding. Whether you're facing conflicts, emotional distance, or recurring patterns that seem hard to break, relationship struggles can be frustrating and painful. You might feel unheard, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward. Relationship challenges can also bring up deeper feelings related to trust, attachment, and self-worth.
What to Look For
Frequent misunderstandings or unresolved arguments
Feeling disconnected or emotionally distant from your partner
Struggles with trust, intimacy, or emotional safety
Difficulty expressing needs or feeling heard
Navigating major life transitions as a couple
Patterns of conflict that seem to repeat
Understanding Each Other, One Conversation at a Time
For couples, I use the Gottman Method to help improve communication, rebuild trust, and strengthen emotional connection. Whether you're working through conflict or looking to deepen your bond, therapy can help you and your partner understand each other’s needs and patterns more clearly.
For individuals, I draw from Attachment Theory and Person-Centred Therapy to explore past relationship experiences and help you navigate relationship challenges with greater confidence and clarity.
Have questions? Book a 15-minute free consultation.
Anger
Anger is a natural emotion, but it can sometimes feel overwhelming, confusing, or difficult to express in healthy ways.
Whether anger is affecting your relationships, work, or sense of self, therapy can help you explore what lies beneath it.
Together, we can work toward understanding your emotional patterns and developing ways to respond with clarity and care.
What to Look For
You may experience frequent irritability, outbursts, withdrawal, or lingering resentment.
Strong emotions like anger can impact communication, relationships, and self-esteem.
You might also notice feelings of shame, regret, or helplessness that follow.
Understanding Anger and Building Emotional Balance
In therapy, we’ll explore the emotions and experiences that contribute to your anger.
I can help you develop practical tools for emotional regulation, strengthen your relationships, and feel more grounded and in control of your responses.
Have questions? Schedule a free consultation.
Anxiety
Anxiety can show up in many ways. You might experience persistent worry, a constant feeling of unease, or physical symptoms like a racing heart, tight chest, or difficulty breathing.
Sometimes, anxiety takes the form of rumination—that endless loop of thoughts, replaying situations in your mind, and worrying about what might happen. It can make it hard to concentrate, sleep soundly, or simply feel at peace in your daily life.
What to Look For
Do you often find yourself caught in a cycle of worry or overthinking?
Does it feel impossible to relax, like you're constantly on edge?
Perhaps sleep is elusive, or you're always feeling exhausted.
Anxiety can also lead to avoiding situations that trigger fear or stress.
These are just some of the ways anxiety can show up.
Understanding Anxiety, One Step at a Time
When anxiety gets in the way of your life, relationships, or focus, therapy can help you understand what's driving it—and how to manage it. Together, we’ll work to reduce the overwhelm and reconnect you with a steadier, more grounded version of yourself.
Learn more
Have questions? Schedule a free consultation.
Grief
Loss can take many forms — the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a major life change. Grief can feel overwhelming, disorienting, and isolating. You don't have to go through it alone. Therapy offers a space to process your grief at your own pace, honour your experience, and begin to find meaning and healing after loss.
What to Look For
You may notice feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, or numbness.
Grief can affect sleep, appetite, energy, and your ability to concentrate.
You might feel disconnected from others or from yourself.
Coping with Grief, One Step at a Time
I offer a supportive space where you can work through your grief without pressure or expectation.
Together, we will honour your loss, explore your emotions, and help you reconnect with your life in a way that feels meaningful to you.
Have questions? Schedule a free consultation.
Stress
Stress is a natural response to life’s pressures, but when it becomes overwhelming, it can affect your emotional well-being, physical health, and ability to function.
You might feel constantly on edge, struggle to relax, or experience physical symptoms like headaches, tension, or trouble sleeping. Stress can also show up as irritability, difficulty concentrating, or feeling like you’re always running on empty.
Over time, chronic stress can make it harder to feel in control of your emotions and decisions.
What to Look For
Feeling overwhelmed or unable to relax
Frequent headaches, muscle tension, or digestive issues
Increased irritability or emotional outbursts
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Difficulty sleeping or constant fatigue
Feeling like you’re always behind or unable to catch up
Managing Stress, One Step at a Time
We’ll work together to identify the sources of your stress and develop strategies to help you manage it more effectively. Using Mindfulness, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Psychodynamic Therapy, we’ll explore both the immediate ways to reduce stress and the deeper patterns that contribute to feeling overwhelmed. Therapy can help you regain balance, set boundaries, and respond to life’s demands in a way that supports your well-being.
Have questions? Book a 15-minute free consultation.
Major life changes—whether planned or unexpected—can bring uncertainty, stress, or a sense of loss. Adjusting to a new phase in life can feel overwhelming, whether it’s a career change, a move, a shift in relationships, or a re-evaluation of personal goals. You might struggle with feelings of disorientation, identity shifts, or self-doubt. Even positive changes can bring unexpected challenges, making it difficult to find your footing.
Life Transitions
What to Look For
Feeling uncertain, stuck, or lost in a period of transition
Difficulty adjusting to a new role, career, or location
Struggles with identity, purpose, or belonging
Emotional distress related to a major life change
Anxiety or fear about what comes next
A sense of disconnection or instability
Finding Clarity in Times of Change
Using Existential and Psychodynamic approaches, we’ll explore how past experiences shape your responses to change and work through the emotional impact of transition.
Therapy can help you process uncertainty, reconnect with your values, and develop a clearer sense of direction. Whether you’re navigating a career shift, a relocation, or personal growth, I’ll support you in finding clarity and resilience as you move forward.
Have questions? Book a 15-minute free consultation.
ADHD can show up in many ways. You might find it difficult to stay focused, frequently losing track of tasks or struggling to follow through on plans. It can feel like your mind is always racing, jumping between thoughts, or seeking stimulation.
Sometimes, ADHD presents as restlessness—the need to move, fidget, or shift from one activity to another. It can also impact emotional regulation, making frustration, impulsivity, or self-doubt more challenging to manage.
Over time, these patterns can affect your confidence, relationships, and overall well-being.
ADHD
What to Look For
Do you often find it hard to start or finish tasks, even ones you enjoy?
Does your mind feel like it's constantly racing, making it difficult to focus or follow through?
Are you frequently misplacing things, forgetting appointments, or making mistakes?
Do you struggle with impulsivity, saying or doing things you later regret?
Do strong emotions overwhelm you easily?
Do you feel constantly overwhelmed by daily responsibilities, like you're always playing catch-up?
These can be signs of ADHD.
Navigating ADHD, Your Way
Together, we'll explore strategies for task management, emotional regulation, and reaching your potential.
Using CBT and other skill-based techniques tailored to your specific needs, we'll work to develop practical tools that will not only improve your daily life but also cultivate greater self-compassion.
Ready to connect? Reach out today for a 15-minute free consultation.
Ready to Start?
Let’s talk about what you’re going through — and how therapy can help. Whether you’re navigating a difficult time or ready to explore longer-term change, I’m here to support you.
You can choose the format that works best for you:
– Online therapy in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and the Territories
– In-person sessions in Vancouver, BC
– Walk-and-talk therapy in Kitsilano
Does My Insurance Cover Counselling?
If you have extended health care benefits (such as Blue Cross, Sun Life, or another provider), you likely have some coverage for counselling with a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) or Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). I encourage you to contact your insurance provider directly to confirm your specific coverage. Many providers list coverage details on their websites.
After each session, I’ll provide you with a receipt that includes all the necessary information for reimbursement, as required by your insurance provider.
“Elena is very knowledgeable and passionate about evidence-based practices.”
Donelda Plau, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP, MEd, BA
“Elena is a thoughtful and skilled therapist who truly cares about her clients' well-being.”
Haroula Battista, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
“Elena excels at helping clients organize their thoughts and emotions with warmth and insight.”
Yuhao Miao, Counsellor, MACP, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
“Elena is a very welcoming and warm practitioner. ”
Emil Ermakov, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), BScN, RN, MA
Starting Therapy is Easy: Three Simple Steps
1
Book a Free Consultation or Session
Choose what feels right for you — a free 20-minute consultation or a full therapy session..
2
Meet Your Therapist Online or In Person
Connect in a way that works for you: online anywhere, in person in Vancouver, or outdoors with walk-and-talk therapy.
3
Begin Your Therapeutic Journey
Together, we’ll focus on your goals, experiences, and the changes you’d like to make.
Not Sure Yet?
If you have questions before booking, check our FAQ or book a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're the right fit..