Brian Dean Williams
With a background in social activism, cultural anthropology, and community organizing, I bring with me a commitment to social justice, and collaborative, non-judgmental, ethical, and compassionate treatment.
I have a special relationship with Indigenous people and communities, and currently more than half my work is in collaboration with a remote coastal First Nation. We do talk therapy, land-based healing, and collaborate with traditional medicine people to promote healing from the ongoing impacts of colonization.
I have worked in numerous programs – including a peer-based centre for youth experiencing homelessness, a therapeutic day treatment program for criminally involved youth, and a low-barrier treatment centre for adults.
After graduating with presidential honours from City University of Seattle’s masters in counselling psychology program, I trained in Los Angeles as a meditation facilitator, and co-created a weekly meditation group for service providers in Vancouver’s downtown eastside. I worked as a counsellor on an Assertive Community Treatment team, assisting individuals to exit homelessness and recover from mental health and substance use struggles. I have presented at numerous conferences and workshops about our team and the weekly support group that I co-facilitated. I am a registered member in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I am a national trainer for the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness.
I live with my family on the Sunshine Coast, and when I’m not working I enjoy gardening, cycling, and making music with friends.