Kevin Kraussler

Professional Clinical Counselling Certification

Certified with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors: Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) #20610
Certified with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association: Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) #11243792

Amongst your friends, what are you best known for?

I was playing a board game with some of my close friends one evening. It was based on the Bob Ross television show “The Joy of Painting.” The instructions said that the player who was the most “chill” would go first. Everyone unanimously said I was the most chill. This was a surprise to me, as I didn’t realize that’s how they saw me!

Favorite song from your youth?

I was in my first year of undergrad at UBC when the film Garden State came out. I listened to that album so much. But of those songs, I think the Iron and Wine cover of Such Great Heights was my favorite. It was definitely the soundtrack to my freshman year. If I listen to it now, it’s as if I’m transported back to the angst of those early days.

If you weren’t a counsellor, what would you be?

I was always drawn to the arts. Having previously worked in the performing arts, I am curious what it would be like to be a visual artist. I love painting. I like to use acrylics on canvas, mostly. My hobby to de-stress used to be painting monsters into vintage landscape paintings.

Thoughts on humour in session?

I’m a big fan of using humor in session with clients (if there's been rapport established and if it feels appropriate). It can allow for a shared moment of joy between a counselor and client. I find it takes away from the preconceived notion many folks have that counseling needs to be this very serious, intimidating process. Therapy can be at times, certainly. But I believe it can also contain powerful and bonding moments of laughter to find a bit of lightness in the dark.

What do you strive for as a therapist?

I strive to connect to people with a deep level of understanding. The neuroscience of connection and empathy is fascinating to me. It can be deeply meaningful to witness how people change in response to feeling truly heard and seen. I attempt to immerse myself in what each client is experiencing, through their eyes. This allows me to connect with clients and their stories in a more effective manner.

What are some indicators of self-growth?

I think a few indicators of self-growth would be if a person is noticing they don’t behave in reactive, habitual ways anymore. When people start to catch their old patterns of thinking and behavior and actively choose new, more adaptive ways of doing and thinking, that’s a clear sign that they’re growing. Other clues might be how the people in their life are interacting with them. As we change, so do our relationships. This process can be uncomfortable at first. Many folks are very accustomed to the way they interact with the world.

What is your process for turning a bad day into a good one?

Depending on the nature of my bad day, I often find it helpful to talk about it with someone who has the capacity to listen. Additionally, if I engage in some form of movement, nine times out of ten, I feel better than when I started. When my physical state has changed and I have more bandwidth to address my feelings, I look at my thoughts and the story I’m telling myself about the events that might be contributing to my experience of the day being “bad.” If, after all of that, the day hasn’t improved, I remind myself to be gentle and ask what I need in that particular moment. Is it warm tea, a walk in nature, or reading a book?

Something you’re proud of outside of work (challenge you’ve overcome, etc.)?

I’m proud of being sober in a way that is different from anything else I take pride in. It was such a massive shift in how I moved through the world and related to myself. I don’t think I really believed that I would be able to trust myself the way I do today. I had gotten accustomed to feeling disappointed in myself. I treasure my sobriety because it was hard work, and it's allowed me to challenge myself in ways I never dreamt of before.