About

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), I call on over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field and extensive training in public health and counselling psychology.

This includes:

• A Master of Counselling Psychology (MCP) degree from Adler University, Vancouver
• A Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of California, Berkeley

I take a holistic approach to working with clients that recognizes that good mental health is not just the absence of mental illness or distress but is also rooted in the broader social determinants of health, including healthy relationships with others, a fulfilling home and community life, purposeful work and career options, and physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Working together, I use evidence-based tools and methods provided by my formal training as a counselling therapist and I follow the Code of Ethical Conduct established by the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. This ensures that I will work to provide the highest level of quality client care possible while respecting the dignity of all people, maintaining the integrity of the client-counsellor relationship, and promoting the wellbeing of our shared community.

I am a strong believer that diversity enriches all of our lives. Because of this, I try to celebrate the strengths that are brought to our lives through our differences and similarities, including ethnic and cultural background, gender, class, age, sex, sexual orientation, nationality, colour, race, religion, marital status, physical or mental abilities, socioeconomic status, or any other preference or personal characteristic, condition or status.

David Portesi, MPH, MCP, RCC