About
Katie DeReus
Welcome to Affirm Counselling for Children and Families!​
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I provide registered clinical counselling for children and adults in an affirming, humanistic way. Therapeutic work with me will include person/child centred approaches, working in the sand tray using NSST, and using play therapy interventions and frameworks with children. ​My private practice is centred around these sand tray and play therapies, which I find to be powerful tools for self-expression and understanding, particularly with younger clients, but not limited to them!
I am located in Pitt Meadows and work from my home office where I see clients aged 3-100 in person and virtually.
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I have been a registered clinical counsellor since 2016, when I graduated from the UBC Clinical Counselling Master's program. My approach to therapy is rooted in the belief that every individual has the capacity for growth and healing, and I am committed to providing a safe, supportive environment where clients can explore their emotions and experiences.
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I actively work in elementary schools as a Counsellor, which has deepened my understanding of the challenges facing children and families today. Before Counselling, I taught in the classroom for almost 10 years.
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In addition to my work in schools and my private practice, I am dedicated to ongoing professional development. I regularly attend workshops and conferences to stay current with the latest therapeutic approaches and best practices. I am a neurodiversity affirming therapist who is certified to provide AutPlay, and am currently am growing my expertise in Adlerian Play Therapy. I am a Board Member on the NSST Institute as well as an Executive Member of the BC School Counsellor's Association (BCSCA). I provide Introduction to NSST Training for other counselling professionals around the Lower Mainland, and work with the BCSCA to coordinate and facilitate an annual conference and other professional development around the province. This rather serious photo is my headshot from that work. (I am quite a bit more relaxed in 'real life').
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Beyond my professional work, I am involved in my community. I volunteer with local initiatives focused on child and family well-being, such as Care for Women. I spend a lot of time connecting in my local neighbourhood and community, and I collaborate with other professionals to provide the best support to my clients and to advocate for mental health across our systems and province.
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On a personal level, I have been married to my partner since 2013, and together we have a son who is in elementary school. Relationships are central to my life, and I draw inspiration from the connections I build both personally and professionally. I enjoy reading, gardening, biking, playing soccer, traveling, laughing, playing, reading poetry, and spending time with friends and family over coffee and tea. These activities are my attempt to maintain a balanced and fulfilling life, which I believe is crucial for providing the best care to my clients.​​​
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Katie​
Experience
I have received the majority of my education, including my Master's degree in Counselling, from UBC. I have worked extensively with children in school, community, and therapy settings. I have been working directly with children since 2003, teaching since 2008, and counselling since 2016. My areas of interest professionally are NSST, Play Therapy (Child Centred, Adlerian, Synergetic), Expressive Therapy, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and others. Therapists and Professionals I look to for guidance to inform my practice to are Dr. Madeleine DeLittle, Virginia Satir, Dr. Dan Siegel, Bonnie Badenoch, Alfred Adler, Carl Rogers, Karl Jung, Terri Kottman, Virginia Axline, and Garry Landreth.
Qualifications
2016 - Present
Registered Clinical Counsellor, BCACC
School Counsellor in SD 41 and SD 43
2021- Current
President of the Local Specialist Association/Coquitlam School Counsellors Association
Coquitlam Teachers Association (CTA)
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2024 - Present
Board Member (Secretary) of the NSST Institute
2022-2024
Counselling Associate
Supervised by Dr. Madeleine DeLittle
Where Words Cannot Reach
Counselling for Children and Families
2023-Current
Executive member of the BC School Counsellors Association
Providing Professional Development, Circles of Support, connection and advocacy for Counsellors in schools around the province.
About
Dr. Madeleine DeLittle, Ph.D. RTC, MTC, RCS, CCC
Dr. DeLittle is the creator of Neuroscience and Satir in the Sand tray.
Madeleine De Little was a student for fifteen years of ‘Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy’ in Canada. Madeleine created a Private Practice in Fort Langley, where she supported many children, families, and adults as well as trained and formally supervised many counselling associates, including Katie DeReus.
She was an International Trainer in "Neuroscience and Satir in the Sand Tray: Transforming the Defences of Anxiety, Depression, Loss, Shame and Trauma. Madeleine is the author of "Where Words Can’t Reach: Neuroscience and Satir in the Sand Tray", 1st & 2nd Edition, which is available on Amazon and through www.nsstinstitute.com.
She was a faculty member of the Banmen Satir China Management Centre (where one site is now dedicated to her modality), the Research Chair of the Satir Institute of the Pacific and the creator and host of the Podcast show "Where Words Can’t Reach: Shedding Light on our Dark Side.”
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Madeleine was an elementary and high school counsellor for 28 years and a PhD level, Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC), as well as a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Supervisor (RCC-S) in private practice, innovating with her model of sand tray work. The research for her Ph.D. focused on the personal and professional impact on student therapists of learning and practicing this model of sand tray therapy.
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Madeleine was the recipient of the biennial "2021 Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, Counsellor Practitioner Award".
Madeleine passed away in January, 2024 and she is celebrated and held dear by her family, friends, and her colleagues and associates who continue her legacy of NSST in practice all around the world today.