About Safe Space

Safe Space Counselling Services is a private counselling therapy practice located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations in the area more commonly known as the Kitsilano neighbourhood of Vancouver, BC​, Canada.

Founded in 2016, Safe Space specializes in helping individuals, couples and families of diverse background strengthen sense of self and bonds with each other. We value human-ness, ease, inclusion and being welcoming, and we aim to celebrate and embrace the diversity of our humanity. We also strive to support families and family members young and old impacted by experiences such as oppression and marginalisation, as well as those that have found it difficult to find understanding and effective help through the mainstream or more widely available private, community and public health services.

Our team is made up of experienced therapists that are skilled in a variety of modalities and who are passionate about supporting people from all walks of life. Our services range from therapy provided by Registered Clinical Counsellors to low-cost counselling services provided by Intern Counsellors and Master's-level counselling students.

​We are licensed to serve individuals, couples and families that are residents of the province of British Columbia, Canada.

We warmly welcome you to Safe Space, and we look forward to meeting you!

​​For more information or to book a session, please fill out the form on the Contact page.

Meet Our Team

Olivia Ng

Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)

Olivia Ng, MEd, RCC, (she/her) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. She has experience counselling adults who have severe, persistent mental illness including schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, and co-occurring disorders such as personality disorders, substance abuse, and other mental challenges. She also has experience counselling adults struggling with addiction and addictive behaviours, as well as counselling family members of people with mental health and substance use difficulties, providing information and resources to ensure they are as well-supported as possible in caring for themselves and their loved ones.
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Daria Szwedowicz

Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
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Daria Szwedowicz, MC, RCC, (she/her) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (RCC #20671). She has experience facilitating groups with couples and trans youth and doing outreach and health advocacy work supporting adults impacted by intergenerational trauma, marginalization, and drug and alcohol addiction. She has training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and uses a warm, collaborative, person-centered, and attachment-based approach to help her clients feel safe and supported as they address challenges in their life and develop positive relationships with themselves and others.
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Michael Gelmon

Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)

Michael Gelmon, MA, RCC, (he/him) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #8854). He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Counselling Psychology and has been working as a counsellor since 2010. His primary modalities include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, Existential, Rogerian and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Michael supports clients with life transitions, identity development, grief/loss and attachment/relational challenges.
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Samuel Romero

Expressive Arts Therapist (ExAT)
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Samuel Romero, ExAT, (he/him) is an Expressive Arts Therapist (ExAT), Artist, Musician, and Professional Member of OEATA (Ontario Expressive Arts Therapy Association). Samuel’s work engages the imagination through movement, painting, writing, sculpture, play, sound and music to facilitate healing and growth. Grief and trauma, anxiety and depression are complex matters that can be difficult to put into words. By exploring creative modalities, Samuel offers other forms of communication that can be supportive and healing. He works with children, refugees, couples, BIPOC, and individuals from all life paths. Samuel is Salvadoran-born and offers sessions in Spanish and English.
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Ash dela Cruz Yip​

Intern Counsellor
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Ash dela Cruz Yip (they/them) is a Master's-level counsellor that has completed their Master's degree in counselling psychology and is working toward their registration with the BCACC as a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Their Narrative and Feminist approach centres the client's skills/knowledge and fosters a collaborative space to navigate client issues. They are comfortable supporting with and addressing emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences, BIPOC experiences, systems of oppression, lack of connection and belonging, etc. They specialize in working with youth and emerging adults but are open to connecting with all ages.
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Essay Sun

Intern Counsellor
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Essay Sun (she/her) is a Master's-level counsellor that has completed a Master's degree in counselling psychology and is working toward registration with the BC Association for Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) as a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). Her approach to counselling is primarily informed by Existential Therapy, which acknowledges human limitations and emphasizes the self-construction of a meaningful life. She also integrates theories and techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Psychodynamic psychology, and specializes in trauma-informed practice, anxiety and depression, relationships, grief and loss, and life transitions. She also works with partners, couples, and families, focusing on their sense of purpose, interpersonal relationships, and communication.
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Practicum Student Counsellors

Seyda Bilikci

Practicum Student Counsellor
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Seyda Bilikci (she/her, pronounced "shay-dah") is a Master's-level counsellor-in-training that is currently completing a clinical practicum for a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology under the supervision of Shalene Takara, MA, RCC-ACS. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from George Mason University (Virginia, United States) and is obtaining a Master of Counselling degree at City University (Vancouver BC, Canada). She is passionate about working with people of all ages and backgrounds who are experiencing a variety of distress, such as relationship problems, trauma, anxiety, depression, burnout, loneliness, and feeling overwhelmed or “trapped”. Her preferred therapy approaches include EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy), Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Gottman marriage and couples therapy.
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Marlae Vermeer

Practicum Student Counsellor
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​Marlae Vermeer (she/her) is currently completing the clinical practicum for her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree with the goal of becoming a Registered Social Worker (RSW). Marlae is passionate about supporting families, couples, and individuals through a person-centered and strengths-based lens so they may work through various complexities and challenges. Marlae specializes in family therapy and family mediation services. Some of her specialized training includes Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Trauma Informed Practice, Working with Aggressive and Violent Children and Youth, and A Process Orientated Approach to Conflict Facilitation. She is committed to supporting the restoration of balance, strengthening connectedness to self and others, and promoting resilience and emotional wellbeing.
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Anam Gill

Practicum Student Counsellor

Anam Gill (she/her) is currently completing the clinical practicum for her Masters in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University under the clinical supervision of Amandeep Jassal, MSW, RSW. Anam’s therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, collaboration and evidence-based techniques. She is dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can openly express and explore their thoughts and feelings without judgement. Anam has a keen interest in helping individuals overcome life challenges and cultivate emotional well-being through the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Anam supports individuals in identifying and overcoming self-limiting beliefs and behaviours that hinder optimal potential, ultimately to support individuals in living a fulfilling life.
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Shalene Takara

​Registered Clinical Counsellor
Approved Clinical Supervisor
(RCC-ACS)
Founder of Safe Space
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Shalene Takara, MA, RCC-ACS, (she/her) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Approved Clinical Supervisor (RCC-ACS #13254) through the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and the founder of Safe Space Counselling Services. She holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and has over 11 years of experience providing clinical counselling to individuals, couples and families. Her primary modalities include Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for individuals, couples and families and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for trauma with a special focus on cross-cultural counselling and intergenerational trauma. She also has training in Intersectional Feminist Therapy and Narrative Therapy and brings an intersectional, anti-oppression lens to her work.
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Amandeep Jassal

Registered Social Worker (RSW)
​Clinical Supervisor
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Only accepting students for clinical supervision.
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​Amandeep Jassal, MSW, RSW, (he/him) is a Registered Social Worker (RSW #12408) governed by the British Columbia College of Social Workers. He graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from UBC with a focus in clinical counselling. Some of his specialized training includes CBT (Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, Suicide Risk Assessment Training, and Crisis Intervention Training.
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​If I reach out to you, who will I meet first?

When you reach out to us, Leona is the friendly voice you'll meet on the other end of the phone, email or online. inquiry!

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Leona Marron

Office Manager

Leona (she/her) graduated with an honours bachelor degree in Primary Education from Dublin City University then moved to Vancouver to experience all the wonderful things Canada has to offer. ​Highly organized and compassionate, she has a passion for helping others and ensures that all administrative tasks are completed, allowing our therapists to focus on providing the best possible care for our clients. ​When she is not in the office, Leona can be found reading a good book, spending time with friends, or hiking a scenic trail.

​Reach out to Leona by phone, email or our online booking form, and she'll connect you to the therapist you wish to connect with—or help you find the best fit for your needs!

Leona at Safe Space:
info@safespacecounselling.ca
(604) 440-2105
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​For more information or to book a session, please fill out the form on the Contact page.

Choosing a Therapist​

There are so many different kinds of therapists.
​What is the difference? How do I choose?

​Good question! Since our therapists range from students to interns to fully licensed professionals, we're able to provide therapy services that range from free/sliding-scale to low-cost to regular rate depending on the therapist's education/experience and licensure.

Registered Clinical Counsellor
​(RCC)

A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is a fully licensed professional that has completed a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology. Rate: $170-185 +GST / 50-minute session. Sliding scale may be available upon request (space permitting).

Intern Counsellor

An Intern Counsellor is a Master's-level clinician that has finished their clinical practicum and is working toward RCC/CCC licensure with BCACC or CCPA. Rate: $140-160 +GST / 50-minute session. Sliding scale may be available upon request (space permitting).

Practicum Student Counsellor

A Practicum Student Counsellor is a Master's student that is completing a Clinical Practicum for a Master's degree in counselling psychology. Rate: $25-45 +GST / 50-minute session or free for those in financial need (space permitting).