Kamloops, British Columbia · RCC Licensed

Mental Health for High-Stakes Realities.

Specialized clinical counselling for complex, high-risk situations — individuals, youth, and communities that mainstream systems have not been able to serve.

Book a Free 15-Min Consult

BPD

Primary Clinical Speciality

EMDR

+ DBT Certified

RCC

BC Licensed & Insured

FNHA

Agency & Band Council Referrals Welcome

Who This Is For

Recognizing
the Pattern

Many clients arrive having already tried conventional therapy without success. They are not broken — they have been underserved. If any of the following resonates, this practice was built for you.

01 — Emotional Regulation

Intense Emotional Volatility

Moving between extremes — overwhelming intensity followed by numbness. Emotions that feel uncontrollable, not because of weakness, but because of how the nervous system learned to survive.

02 — Systemic Fatigue

Let Down by the System

A history of being passed between services, labeled as "too complex," or given generic support that did not reflect lived reality. You deserve a clinician who does not give up when things get difficult.

03 — Survival Coping

Managing to Get Through

Using whatever is available — substances, avoidance, high-risk behaviour — just to make it through. These are survival strategies. The goal is to build something more sustainable together.

Intake Policy

Roster Status:
Intentionally Restricted

This practice does not offer general life coaching or standard counselling for everyday stress. The roster is reserved for individuals, youth, and community files navigating the most complex, high-risk situations — cases that require specialized clinical experience and genuine commitment.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

High-structure stabilization using DBT and empirical frameworks. The intensity is not avoided — it is mapped, regulated, and worked with systematically.

Autism & Neurodivergent Burnout

Practical strategy for adults and youth experiencing burnout from a lifetime of masking and systemic overwhelm. Evidence-based, adapted to the individual.

High-Risk & Complex Presentations

Substance use, complex trauma, institutional trauma, and files considered beyond the capacity of mainstream services. These are the cases this practice is designed for.

About

Nicholas
van Sabben,
RCC

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor in British Columbia. My path to this profession was shaped by lived experience that most textbooks cannot teach. I completed my Master's degree at 40 — only after navigating my own journey through BPD, severe ADHD, psychiatric hospitalization, substance use, divorce, and single parenthood.

Before entering clinical practice, I worked in professional hockey, underground mining, oil field operations, and owned businesses across multiple sectors. That breadth of experience means I understand the pressures of demanding environments and the realities of lives that do not fit a standard mould.

One of the most significant honours of my career was being invited by Secwepemc Child and Family Services to work within Tk'emlups te Secwepemc territory — taking responsibility for the youth and families with the highest level of need. When situations are at their most difficult, I do not step back. I stay.

Designation Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)

Province British Columbia, Canada

Modalities EMDR, DBT, Trauma-Informed Practice

Coverage Most extended health benefits accepted

For Referral Partners

Agency &
Institutional
Referrals

This practice accepts direct referrals from agencies, Band Councils, health authorities, and funded community organizations. If you are a coordinator or case manager looking to place a complex file, reach out directly. I will respond promptly and tell you clearly whether this is the right fit.

First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)

Band Councils & Indigenous Organizations

Ministry of Children & Family Development (MCFD)

Community Mental Health & Addictions Programs

Youth Justice & Corrections Services

Extended Health Benefit Plans

Submit a Referral Inquiry

Prefer to talk directly? Call (250) 574-0694.

Confidentiality & Reporting

All sessions are governed by the ethical standards of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and applicable privacy legislation. Mandatory reporting obligations under CFCS Act are followed in all cases involving minors. Agencies are informed of reporting obligations at intake.

Funding & Billing

Direct billing available for FNHA Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB). Contract retainer arrangements available for Band Councils and MCFD-funded programs. Self-pay and extended health benefit billing also accepted.

Cultural Safety Commitment

Services are delivered with a commitment to cultural humility, trauma-informed practice, and respect for Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. Land acknowledgement and cultural protocols are honoured in all client interactions.

Response Time

Referral inquiries are responded to within one business day. For urgent placements, priority intake can be arranged. Complex or high-risk files are given immediate attention.

Clinical Approach

How We Work

This is not a conventional counselling office. The process is structured, evidence-based, and built around your actual situation — not a standard template.

Assessment & Navigation

Understanding the Full Picture

We begin by building a thorough understanding of your history, triggers, current stressors, and what has and has not worked before. You direct the pace. This becomes a living document that guides everything that follows — adjusted continuously as circumstances change.

Structured Intervention

Evidence-Based Treatment

Once the clinical picture is clear, we implement structured, empirically supported interventions — EMDR for trauma processing, DBT for emotional regulation and distress tolerance. Every approach is chosen based on evidence, not preference. Progress is tracked and the plan is adjusted accordingly.

Getting Started

The Intake Process

Step 01

Initial Consultation

15 Minutes · No Charge

A brief, no-obligation phone call to assess whether this is the right fit. If this practice is not the appropriate match for your situation, you will be directed clearly toward something that is.

Step 02

Comprehensive Assessment

90-Minute First Session

A thorough clinical mapping session to build a complete picture of history, current presenting concerns, and treatment goals. This session forms the foundation of the treatment plan.

Step 03

Ongoing Treatment

Structured Intervention

Treatment begins using EMDR, DBT, and evidence-based protocols tailored to the clinical presentation. Sessions are structured, progress is tracked, and the plan adapts as needed.

Coverage & Fees

Covered by Most Extended Health Plans in BC

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), sessions are covered by most extended health benefit plans. Direct billing available for FNHA NIHB. Contract arrangements available for Band Councils, FNHA programs, and MCFD-funded agencies. Contact directly to confirm coverage before booking.

Book Your Free Consult First consultation is always free. No obligation.