About Bett McLean
Trauma and Abuse Counsellor and Therapist

As a victim of abuse in childhood and early adulthood, I know all too well the devastating and debilitating repercussions of abuse. Every area of my life was affected.

Fortunately, I started my healing journey in my twenties. As I healed it became more and more clear to me that what I wanted to do more than anything was to become a therapist to assist others in their healing journey to overcome the symptoms of trauma.

My Training as a Trauma Therapist

In my thirties, I attended the University of British Columbia (UBC) and attained my undergrad degree, majoring in psychology. I also studied Gestalt Psychotherapy for 3 years and eventually became a certified Gestalt Therapist. Gestalt Psychotherapy is a therapy technique that believes in “the completion of the whole.” The theory is that because you were traumatized as a child, your basic psychological needs were not met. Therefore, as an adult, Gestalt Psychotherapy assists you in completing the psychological process so you may become “whole”.

As a counsellor, I am also certified in Satir Family Therapy Systems. Satir Family Therapy Systems theory focuses on your psychological traits as well as those of the family members that you grew up with. As with Gestalt therapy, the premise of the Satir model of therapy is to help you heal from the trauma that you experienced. The goal is the same, but the technique is more family-focused in that various family members may be seen together or separately for therapy.

A few years ago I started training in Self Regulation Therapy (SRT). Self Regulation Therapy is a technique that provides a way for the trapped trauma energy in your body to be dissipated. Because I have found such good results using SRT with my clients, it is the primary method that I employ in my counselling work with those overcoming the trauma of abuse.

My Experience as a Abuse and Trauma Therapist

I have been working as a trauma therapist since 1993 helping people overcome the devastating effects of abuse. I continue to have the same love and passion for my work as I did when I first started.

When I look back on my life I feel like I have lived two lives; the me who was the victim of abuse with extremely low self-esteem, self-respect and self-worth and the person who I am today—a person who is strong, fulfilled and excited about life. By providing an opportunity for others to heal through my role as a counselor and therapist, I have turned my traumatic experiences and the memory of my abuse into something positive.

Today I have the self-esteem, self-respect and self-worth that I was meant to have. I am happily married to my soul mate and have the job of my dreams. If someone had told the old me that I was going to be living the life I have today, I would have told them there was as much chance of that happening as there was for me to win a multi-million dollar lottery. My point is, that because of my personal experience, I truly believe in all possibilities for other people—and that includes you!

If you think you might be able to benefit from my trauma counselling and therapy services, please call me today for a free 10 minute consultation. Together, we can decide how we can work together to make your life as fulfilling as it can possibly be. I can be reached at:

604.222.2121 or bett@bettmclean.com

Bett provides counselling and therapy for adults suffering from the trauma of abuse who reside in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Vancouver and Burnaby, BC