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Create a safe, secure and connected romantic relationship with couples counselling
To talk through disagreements lovingly and find solutions together.
To feel like your role in your relationship is appreciated and valued.
You want to feel seen, understood and trusted by your partner.
Your romantic relationship should make you feel good—not stressed.
Love takes work—and our registered clinical counsellors are here to help.
Couples Counselling for Residents of Burnaby and Vancouver, BC*
*Private and secure virtual sessions also available for out-of-area clients
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- Anxiety
- Communication issues
- Conflict with family
- Cultivating more connection
- Division of responsibilities
- Emotional outbursts
- Feelings of loneliness or resentment
- Goal setting
- Infidelity
- Rebuilding trust and intimacy
- Recurring conflict
- Life transitions
- Recurring conflict
- Trust
That is why we’re here to listen with a neutral ear, help you understand your partner and help you both move forward with couples counselling.
Trying to solve every relationship problem on your own can feel overwhelming.
You want to make your relationship better so you can feel happier.
Our couples counsellors approach couples counselling through the Gottman Method and can help you address:
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Our Clinical Counsellors
When she’s not serving clients, you might find Meredith hanging out at Starbucks, listening to the Crime Junkie podcast, or collecting Christmas ornaments.
A quote that inspires Meredith:
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." - Viktor Frankl
Meredith strongly believes in the healing power of the human-to-human connection and strives to help others explore themselves and live authentic lives. She brings radical acceptance to her practice to ensure her clients feel safe, seen and understood.
Women’s Mental Health
Trauma
Relationships
Infertility
High achievement and perfectionism
Disordered Eating
Couples Counselling
Anxiety
Registered Clinical Counsellor and Founder of Parallel Wellness
Meredith MacKenzie, MA, PhD
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Meredith founded Parallel Wellness in 2012 as a solo counsellor and now runs a thriving practice dedicated to helping her neighbours live fulfilling and peaceful lives. She has a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and is currently a PhD candidate in Counselling Psychology.
Meredith specializes in eating disorder therapy and is the founder of the One Body to Love program for women who struggle with binge eating. She also serves clients in the following areas:
Stress Management
Trauma
When she is not serving clients, you might find Alejandra walking along the water, reading in a cozy coffee shop, or travelling.
A quote that inspires Alejandra:
"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears" - Nelson Mandela
Alejandra believes in the power of being seen, heard and validated in a safe place. She aims to provide an environment that inspires her clients to get curious, find new ways of showing up in their lives and move towards hope, meaning and fulfillment.
Transitioning to Adulthood
Life Transition
Immigration
Family Dynamics
Disordered Eating
Depression
Body Image
Anxiety
provisional psychologist & Registered Clinical Counsellor
Alejandra Botia, MA, PhD
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Alejandra has been with Parallel Wellness since 2018 and has over a decade of experience in the mental health field.
Alejandra has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from UBC. She is currently a PhD candidate in Counselling Psychology.
Alejandra works with young adults, adults and people who have recently moved to Canada. She can support clients in the following areas:
Her goal is to help others be more present and practice healthy self-expression.
When she’s not serving clients, you might find Alleah at a local pottery class, rock climbing, or camping in the great outdoors.
Stress Management
Self - Expression
Relaxation
Mindfulness
Grounding
Emotional Regulation
intern
Alleah Bowring
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Alleah has been with Parallel Wellness since 2023 and is currently completing her master’s of Counselling Psychology with an emphasis in art therapy.
Alleah works with adults and can support clients in the following areas:
A quote that inspires Alyssa:
“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”
– Lewis Carroll
Alyssa encourages her clients to come as they are. She enjoys helping others get to know their inner systems so they can have more self-compassion and self-awareness. After working with Alyssa, clients can expect to walk away with clarity, healing, and increased self-confidence.
When she’s not serving clients, you might find Alyssa curled up with a good book and a cup of peppermint tea.
Peer Relationship
Loss and Transition
Family Relationships
Childhood Healing
Anxiety and Mood Management
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Alyssa Gonzalez, MC
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Alyssa has been with Parallel Wellness since 2022. She has a master’s degree in Counselling from the City University of Seattle.
Alyssa enjoys working with teens 13+ years of age and adults.
She supports clients in the following areas:
Relationship issues including breakups, infidelity, and family dynamics
Stress Management
Self-esteem and body issues
When Alexandra is not serving clients, you might find her jamming to Taylor Swift, trying a new local restaurant, or at the gym.
A quote that inspires Alexandra:
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.
Alexandra’s goal is to offer a safe, non-judgmental space where individuals can explore their inner worlds, discover the connections between the mind, body, and soul, and find their unique path toward growth and fulfillment.
As a young therapist, she brings a fresh outlook and an inherent understanding of the contemporary challenges younger generations encounter in today’s fast-paced world.
People Pleasing
Life Transitions
Identify Exploration
Grief and Loss
Emotional Regulation
Depression
Anxiety
ADHD
Registered clinical counsellor
Alexandra Pesa
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Alexandra has been with Parallel Wellness since 2023. She works with a diverse range of clients, from teens and university students to families, adults, and individuals going through big life transitions.
Alexandra has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Simon Fraser University. She received her master’s degree in Counselling from City University of Seattle.
Alexandra can support clients in the following areas:
When she’s not serving clients, you can find Ashley cuddling her cats, reading her Kindle, and spending time with her loved ones.
A quote that inspires Ashley:
“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be, and embracing who we are.” - Brené Brown
Ashley’s goal is to help you feel a sense of belonging and worthiness, clarify your priorities, and experience stable and fulfilling relationships. She helps her clients develop more self-awareness, emotional intelligence and maturity, relationship skills, and relaxation.
Ashley received her Masters in Counselling Psychology and is certified in EMDR Basic Training, Lifespan Integration 1, Gottman Level 1, Gottman Seven Principles for Couples Leader (AA & BA with Major in Psychology).
Stress management and burnout prevention
Self-Worth
Relationship Issues
Couples Therapy
Anxiety and Mood Management
Registered Clinical Counsellor, EMDR Therapist
Ashley Greensmyth, MCP
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Ashley has been with Parallel Wellness since 2018 and works mainly with millennials, helping them undo inter-generational trauma.
She supports clients in the following areas:
Trauma
Stress management
Sexual abuse or assault
Self-esteem
Selective mutism
Personal development
When Laura is not working with clients, you might find her reading her favourite book, doing a puzzle or painting, or taking a long walk outside.
A quote that inspires Laura:
“Worthy now. Not if. Not when. We are worthy of love and belonging now. Right this minute. As is.” -Brené Brown
Laura prides herself on creating a safe space that is genuine, kind, and non-judgmental. She works with her clients to experience movement towards their personal goals and general wellness.
Parenting education
Emotional dysregulation
Early childhood mental health
Depression
Couples and relationship counselling
Child therapy
Career development
Anxiety
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Laura Palermo, MCP, RCC
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Laura has been with Parallel Wellness since 2020. In her practice, she works with children, adults, couples, families, groups, and agencies.
Laura received her bachelor’s in Psychology from SFU and her master’s of Counselling Psychology from Adler University.
Laura can support clients with:
Unfortunately, we cannot offer couples counselling without your partner present. If you would like to discuss your concerns with a counsellor, we recommend you check out our individual therapy options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, we do not recommend you work with the same counsellor for individual work and couples sessions. We have several counsellors trained in couples counselling and individual counselling. If you contact us at info@parallelwellness.ca, we can help match you to the counsellors best suited to support you and your goals.
Couples counselling sessions are billed in one individual’s name. You can ask your counsellor to put the invoice in the name of whichever partner has insurance coverage.
Rest assured that our counsellors are trained to be a neutral ear and will not bring their personal opinions into your counselling session.