About Annette

Annette Kasahara

B.A., M.ED. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY REGISTERED CLINICAL COUNSELLOR

Areas of specialization include:

• building healthy relationships

• building effective interpersonal

• communication skills

• building effective parenting skills

• recovering from grief and loss

• managing depression and anxiety

• recovering from childhood abuse issues

• premarital counselling

• self-discovery and building self-esteem

• addictions

Annette began her career as a high school counsellor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where she worked with teens and their families who found themselves distanced from each other, often due to unhealthy communication patterns and lack of understanding. She later continued similar work as a social service counsellor with the Board of Education in Ottawa, Ontario. In this role she provided liaison with students, families, teachers and administrative personnel to promote willingness and commitment to resolving conflicts and finding concrete solutions.

After moving to Kelowna, B.C. in the late 1980’s Annette began her private practice. At the same time she worked with the Kelowna Family Service Centre, providing individual, couple and family therapy. Five years later in Abbotsford, BC. Annette again established a successful private practice, and frequently worked with the Abbotsford Community Services and Mental Health, providing individual therapy, and creating and conducting workshops and therapy groups.

Annette has also had extensive experience as an educator. Early in her career, after receiving her undergraduate degree, she taught English in Tokyo, Japan both privately and in classroom settings at various language schools and colleges. In Kelowna and Abbotsford she was an instructor at the University Colleges there, teaching Counselling and Interpersonal Communication.

Annette has served as a facilitator in the closing of companies and community agencies, assisting employees and management to express feelings of grief and loss, and to continue to maintain confidence and trust in their ability to pursue other fulfilling career opportunities.

Presently Annette continues her private practice in White Rock/South Surrey, B.C. Clients from Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope, Victoria, and the Sunshine Coast also seek her services. In addition she works with long distance clients from across Canada, the United States and New Zealand, and conducts telephone and Skype/FaceTime sessions at her clients’ convenience.

Personal Info

The daughter of German parents, Annette was raised in and around Calgary, Alberta. The blue sky and the wide expanse of the prairies is in her soul. Today when she walks the beaches of White Rock and Vancouver, the ocean is like her “prairies”. Being in nature is healing for her, and she believes it is healing for us all.

She met and married her husband in Japan, and together they created a life which had laughter and fulfillment, as well as challenges and tears, until his death a few years ago. She draws from these experiences as she walks with her clients through their journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth.