Strength in Heart offers affordable counselling in Victoria, BC with qualified masters' level student counsellors.
Sessions with Kendra are offered remotely & in our Victoria office for
$70 per 1 hour (50 minute) session.
Free 20 minute video or telephone consultation.
Kendra Shaw, MSW (Cand.)
““I believe in honoring the mind-body-spirit connection & will work holistically to support you in achieving balance & harmony in your life.””
My Approach
I believe that healing happens in relationships- within ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. Because of this, my approach is deeply relational, weaving together parts work, somatic therapy, and narrative therapy to support you in making sense of your experiences and letting go of the narratives and burdens that aren’t yours to carry. I also recognize that distress is not just a personal experience but is shaped by systemic, historical, and relational forces. With this in mind, I strive to center decolonization and anti-oppressive practice in my work. To me, this means honouring that you are the expert of your own life and story and that healing is something that comes from within you. My role is to walk alongside you, creating a space where you feel safe enough to explore and connect with your inner wisdom, and move toward healing in a way that feels right for you. At its core, I hope our work together feels like a partnership—one where you feel seen, heard, and empowered.
My Story
I grew up on the traditional and unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik peoples, colonially known as Fredericton, New Brunswick. Since then, I have lived on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, Alberta, where I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology at MacEwan University in 2017. About six years ago, I moved here, to the territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, specifically the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, as well as the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. Over the past two years I have been completing my Master of Social Work degree at the University of Victoria.
My path to this work has been deeply personal. My own experiences with mental health challenges and my encounters with the pathologizing and individualizing nature of the dominant mental health systems, have shaped my desire to approach healing differently. I began my journey in the field of community mental health over six years ago and have spent the past year working as a student counsellor at Strength in Heart, under the supervision of Carla Mae Leuschen. I am grateful for the opportunity to support others in their healing journeys and look forward to walking alongside you on your own path.
Areas of focus
Self-esteem & self-love
Emotional regulation
Attachment wounds & relational trauma
Education & Training
Master of Social Work from University of Victoria (in progress)
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from MacEwan University
Level 1, 2, 3 Integrative Somatic Parts Work Training
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Skills Training
San'yas: Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
ASIST Suicide First Aid
Professional Memberships
BCASW Student Member #2000665
We put you first! Strength in Heart is a counselling service in Victoria, BC. Our counsellors practice from a compassionate & client-centred approach & use a combination of various forms of therapy to empower clients to physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually thrive.
We view each client as the expert of their own story & work with each individual to develop a customized therapy approach that is designed for their specific needs & goals.