Josh Graetz – Intern Counsellor in Vancouver
As an Intern Counsellor Vancouver clients can turn to for compassionate support, I am passionate about helping people explore their experiences. My name is Josh (he/him), and I am currently completing my Master of Counselling at City University in Vancouver. My goal is to help clients create lives that feel meaningful and authentic. I would love to hear your story and learn more about you. Together, we can explore the changes and possibilities you hope to create.
Before entering the mental health field, I built a diverse career in performing arts, education, and other industries. However, one common thread has always connected my professional experiences: working with and supporting people.
As an Intern Counsellor in Vancouver, I aim to provide a welcoming and supportive environment. Here, clients can explore what matters to them and better understand their experiences. Together, we can also work toward meaningful personal goals.
Education & Counselling Experience
Alongside my clinical training at City University, I have professional experience as a supervisor with BC Crisis Lines. In this role, I supported individuals experiencing significant emotional distress. My work included crisis management, de-escalation, risk assessment, suicide intervention, and connecting people with appropriate resources.
In addition, I have worked as a coach with both individuals and teams. Through this work, I helped people identify their values and clarify their goals. I also supported them in taking purposeful steps toward more fulfilling lives.
My academic work explores the connection between mental health and creativity. In particular, I am interested in how creative approaches can encourage connection, self-expression, and empathy.
Currently, my capstone research examines how creative education may help counselling students develop a greater capacity for empathy. I believe creativity can invite us to explore the experiences and inner worlds of others. As a result, it can encourage curiosity, empathy, and deeper understanding. This belief also played an important role in drawing me toward the counselling profession.
My Approach as an Intern Counsellor in Vancouver
I approach counselling with genuine curiosity about each person’s unique story. For example, I often think of the process as similar to a character study. Many different experiences can shape who we are.
Therefore, I consider different parts of a person’s world during the counselling process. These may include relationships, experiences, values, motivations, strengths, and challenges. Understanding these areas can help us identify a clearer path toward meaningful change.
I also recognize the importance of identity and lived experience. These experiences can influence how we understand ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. Because of this, finding a counsellor who respects your experiences can be important. It can help create a comfortable and supportive therapeutic relationship.
I am a queer man (he/him) and a first-generation white Canadian settler. I live and work on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
My own experiences have shaped several areas of interest within my counselling work. These include supporting:
- Male-identifying individuals
- 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals
- Artists and creative professionals
- People living with or navigating chronic illness
- Individuals seeking greater meaning, connection, or personal growth
Above all, I am passionate about creating an inclusive counselling space. I want clients to feel seen, heard, and respected. Most importantly, I want you to feel comfortable bringing your whole self into the room.
Building a Strong Therapeutic Relationship
At the heart of my approach is a simple belief. The therapeutic relationship is one of the most important parts of counselling.
Before focusing on a particular technique, theory, or intervention, I want us to develop trust. I believe counselling should provide safety, empathy, collaboration, and mutual respect.
In addition, I believe you are the expert on your own life. Therefore, my role is not to tell you who to be or what choices to make. Instead, I feel privileged to walk alongside you. Together, we can explore your experiences and determine what meaningful change looks like for you.
An Integrative Approach to Counselling
As an Intern Counsellor Vancouver clients may choose to work with, I use an integrative approach to counselling. This allows me to draw from different therapeutic theories and modalities based on each client’s needs.
My work is primarily informed by Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and systemic approaches. These approaches consider the individual as well as the world around them. For instance, relationships, communities, social environments, and cultural experiences can all influence our lives.
In addition, my performing arts background brings creativity and curiosity into the counselling process. However, you do not need to consider yourself an artist to benefit from creativity. Instead, creativity can simply bring exploration, imagination, and play into our work. When appropriate, these elements can offer another way to explore your experiences.
Finding an Intern Counsellor in Vancouver
Finding the right counselling approach is important. However, finding a therapeutic relationship that feels comfortable and supportive matters too.
My goal is to provide a welcoming environment where you can explore what matters to you. Moreover, we can move at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
If you are looking for an Intern Counsellor in Vancouver, we may be a good fit. I would love the opportunity to connect and hear your story. Together, we can explore what you are experiencing and consider what you would like the next chapter to look like.