Dr. Kirstin Dolby, PhD opened Head Strong Counselling Services & Academy of Traumatology in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counselling, and a PhD in Counseling & Psychological Studies with a focus on trauma and indigenous mental health from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. In addition to her internships at Pacific Therapy, Kirstin completed a Trauma Counselling Internship in India in 2016 with the Regent University Center for Trauma Studies.
Kirstin is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with BCACC, a Certified Canadian Counsellor with CCPA, a Certified First Responder Counselor with Academy Hour, Certified Clinical Traumatologist with the Green Cross Academy of Traumatology, and Certified EMDR Therapist with EMDRIA. She specializes in working with survivors and first responders of natural and manmade disasters. As of fall 2022, Kirstin primarily works as a full-time Faculty Lead at Yorkville University. She offers ongoing mental health support through direct referral for first responders, supervision of intern/practicum students, and training workshops in collaboration with other organizations. Kirstin takes a client-centered approach utilizing a holistic wellness model. She believes the foundation to good therapy starts with rapport and the therapeutic relationship between client(s) and counsellor. She works with all age groups and has experience with individual, couples, and family therapy, as well as facilitation of support groups and workshops. She has experience helping clients work through trauma (complex and simple), PTSD, mental health disorders, depression, anxiety, separation, parenting and grief. Outside of the counselling office, Kirstin is a Fire Fighter with the Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department graduating with the recruitment class of 2022/23. Kirstin lives in beautiful Courtenay, BC on Vancouver Island with her husband of twenty-one years and their four boys. And, of course, in her “spare” time Kirstin can be found on the sidelines coaching her sons rugby teams or in any region of the globe volunteering her time to help fill the gap in mental health care.
