Allius Counselling and Family Mediation Services was incorporated in 2020, but Lurline Raposo, the founder and Clinical Director, has been in private practice since 2011 in Her OWN Clinic.
Our clinic name, “Allius,” comes from combining ALL, I, and US - reflecting our commitment to fostering connections. For the Allius team, it is all about people connecting with themselves in order to connect better with others. This is what we aim to support in our work with people, both young and old.
Our team would like to acknowledge that our main clinic is located on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish People -- the Stz'uminus, Snuneymuxw, and Snaw-naw-as Nations. Our Saanich location is located on the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ people. We recognize the importance of the lands we each call home. We do this to reaffirm our commitment and responsibility in improving the relationship between us as settlers, and the nations who have provided stewardship to these lands for generations. We continuously aim to improve our own understanding of local Indigenous peoples and their unique cultures so we can provide sensitivity and humility in our counselling work.
MA RCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
SEE FULL BIOTEL - 250 753 0363 ext. 7
EMAIL : Emma@allius.ca
MS ED RCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
TEL - 250 753 0363 ext. 4
EMAIL: Chaowen@allius.ca
MA RCC
Registered Clinical Counsellor
TEL - 250 753 0363 ext. 3
EMAIL : Michelle@allius.ca
MA RSW RCC BCPRT
Registered Clinical Counsellor, Play therapist & Social worker
TEL - 250 753 0363 ext. 5
EMAIL: Ladona@allius.ca
BA (Child & Youth Care)
Family Mediator/Parent Support Associate
SEE FULL BIOTEL - 250 753 0363 ext. 8
EMAIL: Elizabeth@allius.ca
MA RCC-ACS RPT BCRPT-S
Clinical Director, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Registered Play therapist Supervisor
see full bioTEL - 250 753 0363 ext. 1
EMAIL: Lurline@allius.ca
MC PSYCHOLOGIST
Registered Psychologist, Certified Teacher
SEE FULL BIOTEL - 250 753 3063 ext.6
EMAIL: Amy@allius.ca
THERAPY DOG IN TRAINING
Meet Petal. She brings warmth and comfort to those visiting our clinic. She helps clients to feel welcome and comforted. She offers a joyful presence and a cuddly greeting for everyone who likes dogs. If you do not like dogs, please let us know and she can be kept in a separate space.
Petal is learning to interact with clients of all ages. Her gentle, caring nature makes her a beneficial support for counselling work, especially for children and youth. She helps to reduce anxiety and improve mood. Animal-assisted therapy is an emerging practice area but research shows how beneficial these furry faces can be in improving mental well-being.
Nicole Puckering
BA MA RCC
Counselling Associate/ Registered Clinical Counsellor
Allius Services is privileged to have Nicole as a Counselling Associate and a member of the Ahousaht First Nations. With an MA in Counselling Psychology and a BA in Child & Youth Care, specializing in Child Protection, Nicole brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. For the past decade, she has dedicated herself to working with children, youth, and families who face trauma, conflict, and complex family situations. Her passion lies in supporting kids, families, and parents through their challenges. Nicole is also open to assisting individuals dealing with mood disorders, life transitions, and other family difficulties.
Nicole’s professional training and experience encompass a range of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), attachment-based approaches, trauma-informed practice, and Child and youth development. She has undergone advanced training in ACT specifically to enhance her counselling work with preteens and teens.
As a registered Clinical Counsellor with BCACC, Nicole’s long-term aspiration is to provide culturally-informed counselling experiences tailored to Indigenous individuals residing in the Nanaimo area. Her dedication to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity ensures that her clients receive support that aligns with their unique backgrounds and experiences.
To foster improved intra-personal and interpersonal connections that bring greater harmony to the individuals, families, and communities we serve.
Healing through better connections both inside and out.
We prioritize our professional learning while continuously striving to improve our therapeutic practices, interventions and models to offer the greatest benefit to the clients we serve.
We believe “playfulness” is a cornerstone of healing and wellness. As such, clients of all ages are encouraged to incorporate humor, expressive arts, sand tray, music, or other creative pursuits into their therapeutic process.
We know that sustained emotional availability can only be achieved through balance and self-compassion. Clinicians and coaches are supported to
prioritize self-care in order to be effective and inspired in their work long-term.We appreciate the uniqueness of each person and family with whom we work, while thoughtfully considering the influence our own culture, identity, history, and socio-political systems have had on us as counsellors.
The healing power of relationships is a foundational principle woven into our approach with clients. We seek to cultivate true connections with our clients, between our clients, and within the communities we serve.
We are humans first and counsellors second. As humans, we face suffering throughout our lives, and as clinicians, these experiences guide us in our shared vulnerability.
Allius Counselling and Family Mediation Services serves clients across Nanaimo, Parksville, Ladysmith, Chemainus, North saanich and the surrounding areas.