Susan Kast Counselling MSW RSW RCC

Clinical Social Worker/Therapist

The combined titles of Clinical Social Worker/Therapist feel a little clunky but neither on its own is fully descriptive of the work I do. My education and training is rooted in the Social Work profession. I hold a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Victoria, a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of British Columbia, and a Master of Social Work from Dalhousie University. The foundational core of Social Work is understanding a person’s functioning and well-being as impacted by their environment. Our struggles and our resources are influenced by gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, our historical and current practices of colonization, and other factors. As a professional Social Worker I couple this with the practice of therapy. In basic terms therapy is a process in which client and therapist work together to better understand a person’s internal processes and gain new insights with the goal of living a whole, healthy, and embodied life. My curious mind and commitment to ongoing professional development led me to further study cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, expressive therapies, neuroscience based trauma theory, Somatic Experiencing, mindfulness practices, and other modalities. Most importantly what influences my practice is a firm belief that as humans we have a natural instinct to survive. When given the right support and a safe space we become attuned to our innate ability to heal and grow.