Bethany MacGillivray smiling on outside in a garden
My Journey and Qualifications

Hi, I'm Bethany

A little bit about me

My journey to becoming a therapist began in the corporate world, where I found success but not fulfillment. Feeling the pull toward helping others, I made the bold decision to return to graduate school and earn a dual Master's in Counselling Psychology and Art Therapy. Since then, I’ve been able to align my life with my true purpose: supporting others in their healing journeys. My background allows me to combine traditional therapeutic practices with the power of creativity and somatic awareness to help you navigate life’s challenges.

How My Experiences Shape My Growth

Professional Development

Somatic Experiencing International
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Expressive Arts Therapy Institute
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The Body Positive
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Equine Connection - The Academy of Equine-Assisted Learning
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Yoga Outreach
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Provincial Health Services Health Services Authority -  Indigenous Health Program BC
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Integrative Somatic Studies Institute
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University of Pennsylvania
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Justice Education Society of BC
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St. John’s Ambulance
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Paddle Into Fitness
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YYoga
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Gracie University
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Open Door Yoga
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From Burnout to Purpose

After years of feeling burnt out and stressed in the corporate world, I returned to school as a mature student. This shift was life-changing, setting me on the path to my true calling.

Navigating Grief

Losing my father taught me how grief shows up in unexpected ways. I understand how loss affects us, and I bring this compassion to my work with clients.

Relearning My Body

My journey with a back injury has taught me how to slow down and treat my body with kindness. I’m here to help you find the same balance, learning to move with love and acceptance.

Fun Facts About Me

  • I’m a wife, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend, and my life is full of love, especially for animals. Horses and our black cat, London, have a special place in my heart.
  • You might catch me sneezing multiple times in a row—it’s my quirky trademark! For me, laughter is a superpower, and I believe there’s no better feeling than deep belly laughs.
  • I’m learning to navigate life with a back injury. While I once thrived on running, hiking, and yoga, I’ve had to embrace slower, gentler ways of moving. It’s a process, and I’m constantly evolving in my relationship with my body.
How I Work

My Approach to Holistic Counselling

I offer a compassionate, holistic approach to counselling, designed to help you reconnect with your authentic self and support your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. By blending traditional talk therapy with mindfulness, somatic awareness, and creative expression, we’ll go beyond just talking—we’ll engage your body’s wisdom to explore your experiences deeply.

In our sessions, I create a warm, approachable environment, incorporating moments of lightness and humor to make the healing process feel more natural. We’ll take things at your pace, focusing on being present and connecting with your inner self to foster growth and inner healing.

I use a variety of evidence-based modalities, including:

Art Therapy

Art Therapy offers a creative pathway for expressing and exploring emotions, thoughts, and experiences. This nonverbal approach helps access feelings that might be difficult to articulate through words. By engaging in creativity, you can process difficult emotions, gain deeper self-awareness, and build resilience. No artistic experience is required—just curiosity to explore the mind-body connection through creativity.

Somatic Experiencing® (SE™)

Developed by trauma expert Dr. Peter A. Levine, Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) is a body-centered approach to healing. SE™ recognizes that trauma and stress aren’t only stored in the mind but also within the body and nervous system, manifesting as tension, stress, or anxiety. By tuning into your body’s sensations, SE™ helps release stored tension and regulate the nervous system. Techniques like mindfulness, body awareness, and gradual trauma release offer a pathway to reconnect with the body’s natural ability to heal and restore balance.

Positive Psychology

Positive Psychology is a strengths-based approach that focuses on enhancing well-being and happiness. Instead of dwelling on what’s wrong, this approach highlights what’s already working in your life. By nurturing your strengths, Positive Psychology helps cultivate a sense of purpose and fulfillment, supporting you in overcoming challenges and fostering positive change. With practical strategies, this approach encourages flourishing rather than merely surviving, promoting emotional resilience and well-being.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic model developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz that helps harmonize the different parts of your inner self. This approach fosters a compassionate relationship with all parts of yourself, allowing for the healing of internal conflicts. By understanding and addressing the needs of each part, IFS can help you find greater emotional balance and move toward a unified, cohesive sense of self.

Additional areas I support include:

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Self-Compassion and Self-Acceptance
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Stress and Burnout
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Adult Women Diagnosed with ADHD
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Life Transitions and Changes
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Setting and Maintaining Boundaries
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Ambiguous Grief and Loss
I focus on helping with the following

My Areas of Focus

I offer holistic counselling that focuses on reconnecting you with your authentic self through the integration of mind, body, and emotions. My approach embraces compassionate self-discovery and healing through various specialties:

Rediscover a positive relationship between your body and food

Body Image and Food Challenges

Diet culture often teaches us that our value lies in our physical appearance, but your worth goes far beyond that. As a holistic counsellor, I advocate for Health at Every Size (HAES) and embrace intuitive and mindful eating practices, focusing on the somatic mind-body connection. Together, we’ll work to break free from the pressures of food monitoring, guilt, and body shame. By focusing on intuitive and mindful eating practices, we can help you reconnect with your body’s natural wisdom and build a balanced relationship with food.

Counselling for Body Image and Food Challenges can help you:

  • Understand the roots of body image issues
  • Reframe negative thoughts and develop self-compassion
  • Embrace your authentic self and cultivate a healthier body image

Finding balance and empowerment in your life

Anxiety and Stress

The pressures of external expectations often clash with your internal needs, leading to anxiety, stress, and feelings of overwhelm. Through holistic counselling, we’ll explore how these challenges manifest in both your mind and body, helping you find relief and balance. I’ll support you in developing the tools to manage stress, reduce anxiety, and live more authentically.

Counselling for Anxiety and Stress can help you:

  • Uncover and reframe core beliefs driving your anxiety
  • Build resilience and regulate your nervous system
  • Empower your authentic self and align with your true values

Finding greater purpose and meaning in life

Self-Discovery and Creative Exploration

If you’re seeking deeper self-awareness, counselling can be a powerful tool for personal growth. We’ll explore your identity, purpose, and direction through creative expression and introspection, helping you reconnect with your authentic self. By integrating somatic awareness, you’ll gain insight into how your body and emotions contribute to your overall sense of purpose.

Counselling for Self-Discovery and Creative Exploration can help you:

  • Reconnect with your authentic self and values
  • Explore your purpose and life’s direction
  • Foster personal growth through creative practices

Cultivating confidence and authenticity

Self-Esteem and Self-Image

Low self-esteem can leave you feeling disconnected from your true self, and it’s easy to internalize the unrealistic standards set by society. In a supportive and nurturing space, we’ll explore the roots of your self-esteem challenges and work to redefine your self-image. Together, we’ll build the confidence needed to navigate life with a stronger sense of self-worth.

Counselling for Self-Esteem and Self-Image can help you:

  • Understand how past experiences shaped your self-esteem
  • Reframe negative beliefs with empowering thoughts
  • Build confidence and self-worth rooted in authenticity
Soul Flow Therapy's office and counselling space
The Soul Flow Therapy Office

A Place of Safety & Trust

Therapy isn’t just about the techniques—it’s about the relationship. Building trust, feeling safe, and being heard are all crucial to your healing process. I’m dedicated to creating a space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and challenges without judgment. Together, we’ll create a personalized path to healing, tailored to your unique needs and goals.

London the cat calmly peeking out from under a blanket
A Feline Friend

Meet London

At SoulFlow Therapy, you’ll find more than just a welcoming atmosphere—you may also meet London, Bethany’s loyal cat and companion for over fifteen years. Affectionately called “Londie” or “Boo-bear,” London is a big, gentle black cat who loves being around people and offering quiet comfort during sessions.Whether he’s purring on the cozy green couch or lounging nearby, London’s calming presence adds warmth and support to your time here. Though not a certified therapy cat, his gentle nature helps many clients feel more at ease as they work through their healing journey.

Whether he’s purring on the cozy green couch or lounging nearby, London’s calming presence adds warmth and support to your time here. Though not a certified therapy cat, his gentle nature helps many clients feel more at ease as they work through their healing journey.

Why Having London Around Can Help:

  • His presence creates a more relaxed, comfortable space for therapy.
  • London can make it easier to open up and connect during sessions.
  • His non-judgmental company adds a sense of calm and support.

If you have allergies or prefer not to have London in the room, that’s no problem—your comfort always comes first.

London the cat cotherapist sitting on a couchLondon the cat sitting on a couch being pet by a young girl providing a comforting pressenceLondon the cat laying on a couchLondon the cat calmly peeking out from under a blanket
I offer one-on-one holistic counseling for adults, both in person in Port Moody and online. In a compassionate, non-judgmental space, we’ll explore your unique experiences together.