ABOUT
I’m Gloria Thiessen, a Canadian psychotherapist, clinical consultant, and Yoga teacher. My clinical career spans more than thirty years, during which I’ve worked with thousands of clients across public healthcare, private practice, and the not‑for‑profit sectors. From successful professionals and creatives to the working poor and disadvantaged, I’ve had a front‑row seat to the many forms human suffering can take.
My work has always centered on the whole person. I support clients in moving through their present challenges with a holistic awareness of the many forces that shape psychological experience—relationships, work, health, finances, and the deeper stories we carry.
Today, I work exclusively in the private sector with select clients who are ready to heal old pain, cultivate self‑compassion, and live more authentic, fulfilling lives. I also support practicing therapists and ambitious graduate students who value the insight of a seasoned colleague as they navigate their own path toward effectiveness, confidence, and meaning.
I specialize in the somatic treatment of psychological trauma, with a particular interest in supporting mature women. Of course, men are welcome too, especially those who feel drawn to a feminine, intuitive approach to therapy.
My Approach
Holistic
NISHKA is a Sanskrit word meaning “precious jewel.” In this work, it represents the inner wisdom each of us carries—the part that already knows who we are and how we are meant to live. For many of us, our healing journey is about uncovering this jewel and learning to live from its truth. It’s the brave work of becoming authentic.
Together, we’ll create a relational sanctuary where your NISHKA can emerge. Through open dialogue, reflection, skill development, and complementary practices such as Yoga and creative journaling, we’ll gently clear what has been crowding out your inner clarity.
What the ancients taught is now reflected in modern science, that the mind and body are inseparable. What affects one inevitably influences the other. Rather than approaching your psychological concerns solely through the mind, we include the body and its wisdom. This integrated approach deepens self‑understanding, supports the healing of old pain, and opens the door to greater fulfillment.
Practical
Our sessions offer space to speak from the heart, reflect on what arises, consider new perspectives, and receive grounded, practical support that empowers you to take meaningful action.
We’ll begin by exploring:
- Where you are today
- Where you want to be
- What healing means to you—and whether you feel it's possible
- What obstacles stand between you and your vision
- What you want to change, and what that change would mean for your life
- Your past therapy experiences and how they've shaped you
Further details about psychotherapy are available here.
In the therapeutic Yoga groups, you’ll have the space to rest deeply, restore your vital energy, and reconnect with yourself through breathwork, postures, visualization, and meditation. Perhaps just as importantly, you’ll have the space to synchronize your practice with the wisdom of your body. To learn more about therapeutic Yoga, click here.
Informed by the Neurobiology of Trauma
By helping you understand how the brain processes trauma—and how it can be rewired—I support you in navigating your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours with greater clarity. This knowledge empowers you to meet your growth edges with confidence and to overcome challenges that once felt overwhelming.
Deepened by personal experience
My working‑class roots, trauma history, emotional struggles, and decades of clinical work place me in a unique position to understand the terrain you may be navigating. The insights earned through my own healing journey are woven thoughtfully into our work when helpful, offering the reassurance that there is a way through.
- Second‑generation Canadian, born and raised in Vancouver
- Grew up with a German father and Ukrainian mother, with one older brother and a younger sister. Am now the sole surviving member of my immediate family
- Travelled through the US, Europe, India, the Caribbean, and across Canada; lived in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta
- A versatile musician with a creative range, I've played numerous horn and wind instruments in various bands, complemented by studies in piano and vocal work in a gospel choir
- I've always been drawn to the mysteries of the mind and the evolution of consciousness. This curiosity has led me to explore philosophy, psychology, cross‑cultural religion, and Yoga as a healing practice, both through formal study and through my lifelong love of learning.
A brief overview of my credentials and training
- B.A. Psychology, University of British Columbia
- M.A. Psychology (Mental Health), Antioch University Seattle
- Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
- Certified Clinical Supervisor, trained with Augustine Mier, PhD
- Post-graduate training with a psychological trauma focus include Trauma & the Body, Bessel van der Kolk, MD; AEDP Education, Healing Attachment Wounds, Dale Trimble, M.A., RCC; Accelerated Healing Based on Attachment Style, Karen Pando-Mars, MFT; Trauma & AEDP, Mirim Marsolais, PhD; Attachment, Trauma & Psychotherapy, Daniel Segal, PhD; Psychotherapy & Spirituality, Ian Macnaughton, PhD
- Certified Yoga Teacher (500‑CYT), Kiros Studio, White Rock and World Peace Yoga School, Rishikesh, India
- Grand‑parented into the International Association of Yoga Therapists
- Certified Substance Abuse Counsellor, Fraser Valley University
- Exam adjudicator for Masters‑level counselling psychology students
- Member, BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
Currently
I’m embracing a slower rhythm of life—one that makes room for faith, friendship, books, travel, dance, creative projects, and the sanctuary of home. I live in southwest British Columbia with Misha, a Himalayan feline who has transformed from a wary observer into a devoted four‑legged friend.
Working together
Whether you’re curious about psychotherapy, interested in therapeutic Yoga, or a therapist or graduate student seeking clinical consultation, I welcome you to reach out. I typically respond within 48 hours.
