Individual and Relationship/Couples Counselling with Utku Ucay

Counselling with Utku Ucay

Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
MSc Mental Health Studies          
(he/him)

“There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophy.” 

― Nietzsche

Utku offers Registered Clinical Counselling for individuals and couples/relationships, and EMDR

Life’s hardships can break us into pieces. There may be times where we want to throw in the towel. We might lose our confidence in ourselves. We might be oppressed or feel depressed. We might feel lonely. We might move through major transitions, grief, heartbreaks.

No matter how hard life can get, we can always find the path to freedom. That is where therapy comes in. Therapy encourages you to face life’s hardships willingly, with courage and with trust that can be hard to cultivate on our own.

While we cannot rid ourselves of painful memories nor from our daily struggles, therapy can help you to face them with kindness and start your journey towards inner peace. When we can learn to cultivate a compassionate and curious attitude to ourselves, to our traumas, to our past, we can finally go to pieces without falling apart.

I often work with clients who already have awareness of what they are struggling with. Through deep work and developing a compassionate lens to life and ourselves, we learn together how to put this awareness into action. My unique approach to therapy allows my clients to develop unconditional self-love while taking action towards their dreams.

Common counselling concerns, focuses & clients I love supporting:

  • Couples & Relationships (Monogamous/Non-Monogamous)

  • 2SLGBTQIA+ & BIPOC folks 

  • Substance Use

  • Coping Through Addictive Behaviour (ie. gambling, sex, compulsion)

  • Trauma, Sexual Assault & Abuse

  • Life transitions & Career Changes

  • Grief & Loss

  • Neurodiversity

  • Clients with Immigration/Refuge Backgrounds

  • Relational Challenges (communicating needs, setting boundaries)

  • Individuals hoping to explore mind body connection & spirituality & their sense of purpose

  • Individuals wanting to explore their relationship to themselves and their healing journey

  • Couples wanting to learn negotiating their incompatibilities with tenderness, humour, laughter and kindness

  • Counselling for Professional Athletes

A Bit About Me as A Counsellor

As a counsellor, my intention is to create a space where you feel seen, understood, and accepted as you are—without judgment.

Given my diverse background and experience living in multiple countries, I understand how identity, culture, and belonging shape our struggles and strengths. My approach is informed by a somatic-based, feminist and anti-oppressive lens, meaning that we don’t just look at "what’s wrong" when you work with me— we will also explore why certain patterns developed, how they once served you, and how they can be reshaped in a way that feels more aligned with the life you want. 

My practice is grounded in curiosity, honesty, and a deep respect for your lived experience. I believe therapy should be a space where you feel both supported and challenged—where we can explore difficult emotions with care, but also with a directness that encourages real change

My hope is that through our time together, you will not only gain a deeper understanding of yourself but also develop the ability to meet life’s challenges with a sense of agency, resilience, and self-trust.

My Approach to Counselling

Therapy with me is an active, collaborative process. I won’t just sit back and nod—I’ll ask questions, offer reflections, and challenge you when needed, all while ensuring you feel supported and heard. My approach is warm, collaborative, and sometimes infused with humour, because therapy, like life, doesn’t have to be always heavy.

I integrate trauma-informed, somatic, and psychodynamic approaches, recognizing that emotions, behaviours, and relationship patterns often stem from deeper experiences. This means that beyond exploring thoughts and feelings, we’ll also pay attention to how your body holds onto experiences, and how past dynamics may be shaping your present life as well as how you relate to yourself and others. 

For some, this process includes practical tools and skills to navigate challenges, while for others, it’s about working through emotions that feel stuck or overwhelming. My work is rooted in self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and exploring the underlying beliefs that influence your day-to-day life.

Couples & Relationship Work

When working with couples and clients in relationships, I focus on uncovering unconscious relationship patterns, strengthening communication, deepening mutual understanding, and creating a relationship dynamic that feels both connected and spacious—where each partner feels valued, secure, and respect each other’s individuality.

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Above all, my role is to help you move forward with more clarity, confidence, and self-trust—so that you can not only understand yourself better but also start living in a way that feels more aligned with who you truly are.

I hold a Master of Science degree in Mental Health from the University of King’s College London and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC).

I welcome clients of all cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and relationship styles and strive to offer a safe space for 2SLGBTQIA, BIPOC folks.

COUNSELLING APPROACH

  • Person-Centred Therapy

  • Psychodynamic Therapy

  • Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)

  • Mindfulness-Based, Somatic Approaches

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT)

  • Anti-Oppressive & Feminist Oriented Therapy

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Humanistic Therapy

  • Buddhism

COUNSELLING FEES

50 min individual session: $165
80 min individual session: $260

50 min relationship counselling: $180
80 min relationship counselling: $285

We accept payment via e-transfer and cheque

In efforts to keep our overall rates lower, we also offer the option to pay by credit card with a 2.4% processing fee

Connect with Utku for Counselling

To learn more about Utku’s approach to counselling, ask questions about how she might be able to support you, and schedule your first session, please contact Utku via the form below, and share what you’re looking for support with!