Keenan Andrew

ʔukłaasiš ʔimsča Hist’t’ukk shitls Ahousaht Hist’t’ukk shitls Nuučaan̓uł Isaak camis čuu ƛ̓eekoo ƛ̓eekoo.  

My traditional name is Imscha, and my given name is Keenan Andrew – I come from the Ahousaht First Nation of the Nuu-chah-nulth people on my mother’s side, and I am of Scottish and Irish descent on my father’s side.  

Humbly, I acknowledge the K’ómoks First Nation as well as the kʷakʷəkʲəʔwakʷ and Coast Salish peoples whose lands I occupy. Further, I would like to acknowledge the Ayajuthem, Pentlatch, and Kwak̓wala speaking peoples whose lands I live, learn, work, and raise my family on. I look forward to working together to support your wellness and help create meaningful change together. Gilakas’la & ƛ̓eekoo ƛ̓eekoo.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with a MA in Child and Youth Care – Counselling Specialization. My experience ranges from working with children, youth, adults and families in a community setting to post-secondary Indigenous students where I provide psycho-education, individual counselling, and group counselling to my practice. I have also supported parent groups, Indigenous and non-Indigenous men’s groups, and wellness groups.

My practice is from a Two-Eyed Seeing Framework that is based on both western modalities such as narrative therapy, trauma-informed counselling, mindfulness, trauma focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT), and culturally responsive holistic approaches like somatic-based therapy and storying as a framework. Importantly, I work from an Indigenous framework that honours traditional Elders teachings, as well as Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being. 

Framework

I work from a Two-Eyed Seeing Framework that is based on both western modalities and culturally responsive holistic approaches: 

  • Narrative Therapy 
  • Trauma-Informed 
  • Mindfulness (Indigenous and Western practices)
  • Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)  
  • Somatic Experiencing and Storying 
  • Elders and Knowledge Keepers teachings 
  • Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being

Education

  • Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) – Membership number: 18930 
  • Master of Arts Program – School of Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria
  • Supported the Victoria Child Abuse Prevention & Counselling Centre, as a practicum student as an Intern Counsellor who completed 100 supervised hours for Registered Clinical Counsellor requirements. Provided community-based mental health services to children, youth, and families through psycho-education, parent support group, and individual counselling           
  • Bachelor of Arts; Indigenous specialization – School of Child & Youth Care, University of Victoria 
  • Community, Family and Child Studies Diploma – Camosun College          
  • Community Support and Education Assistant Certificate – Camosun College