Kathryn Kriitmaa (she/her)

Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BCACC

I've always been drawn to peoples' stories. Stories give our lives meaning and help us make sense of the world around us. I believe connecting to our unique story opens the door to small changes that can have a ripple effect, creating big shifts in how we think, feel, and interact with others. 

My love of storytelling led me to a decade-long career as a documentary television producer. What I loved most about this creative work was bearing witness to the deep healing people experienced as they gave voice to their life stories.

After suffering a traumatic brain injury, I was no longer able to do the work I loved and had relied on to define who I was. The grief and loss felt insurmountable. My mental health suffered and I withdrew from loved ones.

With the help of a therapist, we explored what matters most to me. The story I was telling myself was holding me back from moving forward. In honouring my challenges I was able to own them, rather than being owned by them. 

I found a sense of peace and creativity that allowed me the clarity to tap into my love for storytelling in a new way - this time as a therapist. The sense of purpose and belonging I derive from counselling clients is richer than I could have ever imagined. Today, I hold deep respect for the story that brought me to where I am today, as well as the one I am still actively creating.

It would be a privilege to hear your story.

  • Stress & Anxiety

  • Depression & Mood Disorders

  • Self-Esteem & Self Worth

  • Communication & Healthy Boundaries

  • Grief & Loss

  • Relationship Issues 

  • How to Develop a Somatic Sense of Safety

  • Understanding Trauma, Rejection, and Abandonment

  • Intimate Partner Violence

  • Deepening your Experience of Embodiment

Areas of Focus

An expert psychotherapist and counsellor reaching for a book on a shelf, wearing a bracelet and a cozy brown sweater. Ready to help you with your mental health, including trauma, depression, anxiety, relationships, grief, addiction, and somatic work.

What people are saying

“Finding Kathryn was a saving grace. From the moment we began working together, she created an environment that felt incredibly secure and welcoming, regardless of where I stood emotionally that day. She not only guided me through challenging moments but also played a pivotal role in helping me become a more self-assured version of myself. Kathryn excels in posing insightful questions and she offered simple next steps for me to navigate my journey independently. 

If you're in search of a counsellor who truly listens, makes a meaningful impact, and offers a sanctuary of safety, look no further.”


— Natasha

A calm, therapist and counsellor sitting on rocky terrain drinking from a warm mug with the ocean in the background. Ready to help you with your mental health, including trauma, depression, anxiety, relationships, grief, addiction, and somatic work.
Relatable therapist and counsellor laughing outdoors, leaning against a tree near a body of water. Ready to help you with your mental health, including trauma, depression, anxiety, relationships, grief, addiction, and somatic work.
Relatable, fun therapist/counsellor hugging and kissing a tree trunk outdoors. Ready to help you with your mental health, including trauma, depression, anxiety, relationships, grief, addiction, and somatic work.

Outside of Therapy

Supporting Okanagan dwellers in ways that extend beyond counselling holds a special place in my heart. There’s a lot comfort to be found in connecting with community. As much as the pandemic story and the 2023 summer fire season have brought unprecedented uncertainty and loss they are also stories of resilience.

Bit by bit, individuals, families, and communities have found ways to serve others, reminding us of the strength of the human spirit. Here’s a shout out to the small gestures - checking in on your neighbour, supporting local farmers, donating food, helping care for a pet - that have helped us connect and take care of each other when we've needed it most.

Outside private practice, I work on an incredible UBCO Research project, called SOAR, helping women who live with traumatic brain injuries as a result of intimate partner violence recover and thrive. I believe that nature is magic, movement is medicine, the body is briliant and wise, and restorative justice is the way forward.