Starting sexual violence counselling is similar to driving. You may feel embarrassed or ashamed of being in the driver’s seat, as you may worry you will be judged or criticised. Some days, you may not trust yourself, and on other days, you may not feel capable. However, you are capable and equipped to get behind the wheel. I sit next to you in the passenger seat, ensuring you are safe, heard, validated, and supported as you drive. With your permission, we will unpack and process the sexual violence you experienced. You can pull over, slow down, or change lanes at any time. Driving home after your counselling session, you feel seen, heard, validated, and supported. I empower you to make decisions and regain control of your life in a safe and supportive space.
Hi, my name is Leena Mehta, and I appreciate you being here. I hope you find what you’re looking for. I am a registered clinical counsellor in Burnaby (#19428), committed to supporting individuals who have experienced sexual violence. I’ve worked as a counsellor for over eight years; over six years in Canada and two years overseas. Over the years, I’ve supported both male and female survivors of sexual violence and from different walks of life: professionals, married with kids, cohabiting partners with no kids, people of colour, immigrants and people from various religious backgrounds. The one thing that many of them had in common was that they trusted the perpetrator.
In some cases, survivors experienced sexual violence from their partners or ex-partners. Let me support you in processing your experience. It’s not easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. Let me help.
I am a Burnaby therapist who supports you in healing from the sexual violence you experienced. This happens in a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential space, both in person and online. You may struggle to go to work, take care of yourself, meet your basic needs, or spend time with loved ones. I work with you to help you overcome your struggles, meet your own needs, and strengthen your relationship with yourself.
Tired of feeling stuck? What if I told you that you don’t have to stay silent and that you can share your story in a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space? Let’s work together and build your self-esteem.
Sexual violence consists of any form of unwanted sexual contact, including sexual assault and sexual harassment.
Sexual assault examples include:
It’s never your fault. Even when
When supporting clients, I talk about consent in relation to tea and share this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZwvrxVavnQ
At Ease Counselling in Burnaby, I work with you to help you achieve your goals and improve your mental health. Starting counselling takes courage and strength. Being a survivor of sexual violence is a part of your story, but it’s not the whole story.
When supporting female survivors, I explain that women from a diverse range of backgrounds experience sexual violence or abuse. Statistically, women experience sexual violence more than men in Canada. In some cases, the perpetrator is an intimate partner or ex-partner. It can also be someone a survivor knows well and trusts.
At Ease Counselling in Burnaby provides a safe space to share and heal from the sexual violence you experienced.
Loved ones or friends may not be aware that you experienced sexual violence. You may not have disclosed it to your boss, and you may not wish to report it to the RCMP, but it may still impact many aspects of your life.
Sexual violence is a criminal offence, and if you decide to report it to the RCMP, the perpetrator may be charged. Additionally, if you decide to report it to the RCMP, you may be eligible for funding through the Crime Victims Assistance Program (CVAP). I offer CVAP counselling for survivors of sexual violence.
Let’s work together in a safe space and rewrite your narrative. As your counsellor in Burnaby, I understand that there may be a part of you that blames yourself for what happened or feels shame. This part may want you to hide away from family or friends. This part may also believe that you are less worthy or deserving, but that’s not true. You are worthy. You are worthy regardless of the sexual violence you experienced. The sexual violence you experienced doesn’t define you. Let me support you in cultivating a kinder narrative and strengthening your sense of self.
I work with survivors who experienced sexual violence, and some share how it impacted them, while others share how it continues to affect their lives. Some examples include:
As your Burnaby BIPOC counsellor, I ensure you feel seen, heard, validated, and accepted. Starting your healing journey takes courage, and I am here to support you every step of the way. I know it’s not easy to reach out and start counselling, but I’m here to help when you’re ready.
Burnaby sexual violence counselling provides a nonjudgmental, kind, and compassionate space to help you heal from the sexual violence or abuse you experienced. Together, we focus on your needs, which may include the following:
I need your help in determining which counselling modality is a good fit for you. It’s okay if you don’t know. As your counsellor in Burnaby, I use a variety of different counselling modalities to support survivors of sexual violence. Every client is different, and as a counsellor, I support each client with where they are in their healing journey. Counselling modalities that can help include:
CBT can help individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns. It can also help individuals challenge thinking traps.
DBT can help individuals with emotional regulation and distress tolerance by learning skills and strategies to help them cope.
EMDR can help individuals process traumatic and distressing experiences through bilateral stimulation.
You may not be ready to start counselling, but there are resources you can access in the meantime.
http://www.bcwomens.ca/our-services/specialized-services/sexual-assault-service
https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/resource/1-800-suicide-0
https://www.kuu-uscrisisline.com/
https://rapereliefshelter.bc.ca/get-support/
Burnaby sexual violence counselling focuses on strengthening your connection with yourself. In counselling, I provide a safe space for survivors to share their experiences and to create a new narrative. One in which they are not to blame. Some individuals feel disconnected from family members or friends as a result of the sexual violence or abuse they experienced. We focus on strengthening existing connections and establishing new ones. Some survivors feel depressed, isolated, and lonely. When you feel depressed, you may also struggle with negative self-talk, low mood, and energy. Other individuals feel anxious and experience panic attacks. In counselling, we process your experiences, which helps you feel less anxious and depressed. As a Burnaby therapist, I also share strategies to help you cope when your anxiety or depression surfaces.
Burnaby sexual violence counselling explores how the sexual violence or abuse you experienced impacts your life. We explore how it impacts your thoughts, feelings, view of self, and relationships with others. We also identify triggers and how you react or respond when triggered. Individuals who have experienced sexual violence or abuse sometimes blame themselves and have negative self-talk. I support you in gently challenging negative thoughts and cultivating a kinder, more compassionate inner dialogue. Some survivors of sexual violence or abuse experience shame and disbelief. We process this loss and work together to rebuild confidence and self-worth. As a Burnaby therapist, I also talk about tactics perpetrators use and explain how, in many cases, the perpetrator is someone the survivor knows well and trusts. I reinforce to clients that they are not to blame for what they experienced.
Burnaby sexual violence counselling helps you heal from the violence or abuse you experienced. You may experience feelings of shame, embarrassment, guilt, anger, and sadness. You may find it challenging to go to work, socialise with friends or family, and engage in once-enjoyable activities. You may not feel comfortable disclosing what you experienced with those closest to you, which means you may not have the support you need. We work together to unpack past experiences and heal them so they no longer trigger you. We can not change what happened, but we can change how you feel about it. We work together to build your sense of self-esteem and self-worth. Some clients struggle with sleep, recurring nightmares, panic attacks, and depression. As a Burnaby therapist, we also focus on this, your coping mechanisms and strategies to help you regain control.
In some cases, survivors of sexual violence report that the perpetrators were strangers, but in the majority of cases, the perpetrator is someone the survivor knows, for example, a partner, friend, or family member. What if I told you that some survivors of sexual violence never disclose due to fear that they won’t be believed?
No, they are not. The survivor is never to blame for being raped, sexually assaulted or abused. It doesn’t matter what the survivor was wearing or drinking. No one asks to be raped or experience unwanted sexual contact. The perpetrator is to blame and responsible for their actions. As your counsellor in Burnaby, I help survivors process and unpack feelings of shame, blame, anger, sadness and guilt. What if I told you that you are not alone and that other survivors also feel shame and anger?
There is no “type”, and often offenders are friendly, trustworthy and charming. Their behaviour may not be concerning in the beginning, but you may feel concerned if they start to pressure you. Love bombing may be another sign and cause of concern. At Ease Counselling in Burnaby supports survivors in understanding signs and behaviours which may be red flags.
When a perpetrator sexually assaults someone, more often than not, they are in control, and they know what they are doing. Alcohol or passion is sometimes blamed; however, it is more about exerting power and control over an individual. When you love someone or have feelings for them, you respect and adhere to their boundaries. You do not want to hurt them or risk losing them. As a Burnaby therapist, I support survivors in processing this.
Yes, and all survivors respond differently. Some survivors freeze, unable to fight back or scream; this doesn’t mean they consented. Our nervous systems respond differently when under threat, and there is no single “right” way to react. Burnaby sexual violence counselling supports survivors in understanding how their nervous systems react when they perceive danger. What if I told you that there is no shame in reaching out for support?
As a Burnaby BIPOC counsellor, sessions focus on meeting you where you are and working at your pace, alongside you, with compassion, kindness, and curiosity, both in-person and online.
As a Burnaby therapist, I incorporate evidence-based modalities in every session. I am trained in various evidence-based modalities, including Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. Each of these modalities equips me to support your unique needs, and we work together to achieve your counselling goals.
As a Burnaby therapist, I understand the impact of inequality and oppression, providing a safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive space in-person and online. People from all ethnic backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations, including 2SLGBTQ+, are welcome. As a South Asian Burnaby therapist, I create a culturally sensitive space, and I am curious to learn more about your culture, norms, and values.
