Alan Rice, MA, RCC

I am a registered clinical counsellor located in Victoria and Sooke, BC. I provide counselling therapy services to clients in person in Victoria, BC, or virtually online for all British Columbians.  I received my Master of Counselling through the City University of Seattle and have worked in community and corporate counselling settings since.  Over the past ten years, I have had the opportunity to provide both long-term counselling as well as crisis counselling, which has enabled me to be present for thousands of individuals each year grappling with a range of mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety, as well as relationship and family concerns and life transitions.

My interest in psychology and human behaviour was first sparked during my undergraduate degree (a Bachelor of Arts from York University), which was a period of challenge and change for me, like many others.  At the time, I did not have the knowledge or understanding I have today of what is important to me in maintaining my mental health, and that period was one of great learning.  One of my passions is being a steady and supportive presence for others, navigating periods of change, difficulty, and exploration as they understand themselves and what they need through those times.

My work and approach to others stem from my experiences navigating challenges and the professional experiences through which I have had the privilege of being present for and learning from others.  I am genuinely interested in connecting with and learning about you as we work together.  I prioritize maintaining a space which is free of judgment to enable full exploration and expression.

Some of the pillars of my own mental health are community, the outdoors, exercise, and having meaning and purpose in everyday life. I spend a lot of my time surfing our beautiful coast, and rock climbing around the Island and the Squamish area. These passions bring me to incredibly beautiful and rugged places, that I get to share with lovely friends, and I’m so grateful for them and to call this beautiful land my home.

My goal is to use my experience and training to help people arrive at a place they want to be, whether related to a particular mindset, a lifestyle change, or a routine.  Oftentimes, these go hand in hand.  Over the years, I have recognized that having someone reliable and trustworthy to talk to and process work with is invaluable.  Sometimes, this may look like figuring out the next steps in a difficult situation or relationship dynamic; other times, it may look like developing new tools for navigating waves of depression or anxiety.  Often, taking a step back to look at our responses and patterns can help us begin to change or relate to ourselves in new ways. A counsellor (and a caring community) can make a big difference in navigating this and holding ourselves accountable.  I aim to help others in finding the paths that work best for them. 

My counselling style is eclectic, and our work together may draw from Collaborative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy, but my central priority will always be the counselling relationship and what you yourself find most helpful in each session.  Below is a summary of these approaches.

Collaborative Therapy is an approach where the therapist and individual work together as equal partners in the therapeutic process, focusing on open dialogue and shared understanding. It emphasizes the co-construction of meaning, with the therapist and individual jointly exploring issues, strengths, and solutions.  In my practice, our relationship and shared understanding will always be centred towards change and growth.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a goal-oriented approach that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to emotional distress. CBT aims to replace unhelpful cognitive distortions with more realistic and adaptive ways of thinking by focusing on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Narrative Therapy is a therapeutic approach that views individuals as the authors of their own life stories, emphasizing the power of language in shaping identity and meaning. It encourages clients to explore and reframe the narratives they hold about themselves, helping them distance from unhelpful or limiting stories and rewrite them in ways that align with their values and strengths.

Mindfulness-based therapy combines principles of mindfulness meditation with therapeutic techniques to help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the present moment. The approach encourages non-judgmental awareness and acceptance, enabling individuals to observe their experiences without becoming overwhelmed or reactive. This can help to develop greater emotional resilience, improve well-being, and cultivate a sense of calm and clarity in our daily lives.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a therapeutic approach that encourages individuals to embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than struggle against them, promoting psychological flexibility. By accepting uncomfortable emotions and thoughts, individuals learn to focus on what truly matters to them and commit to values-driven actions. ACT combines mindfulness strategies with behaviour change techniques to help clients live a meaningful life, even in the presence of challenges or distress.

Solution-Focused Therapy is a goal-oriented approach that focuses on finding practical solutions to current problems rather than delving deeply into past issues. It encourages individuals to identify their strengths, resources, and past successes to create actionable steps for achieving desired outcomes. The therapy is future-focused and emphasizes that small, positive changes can significantly improve a person’s life.  While we can work from this approach, we can also delve more deeply into the past according to your focus.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

With some support, challenging times can be opportunities for self-discovery, building community, and making changes.