Luciano Somerville
(He/Him)
Registered Clinical Counsellor
I completed my Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree with a combined major in biology and psychology through UVic, where I also played on the Vikes men’s hockey team. In the time that followed I played professionally in Europe for 2 years before completing my Master of Counselling through City University. As a former elite athlete and current counsellor, I have a unique understanding of the psychological pressures that athletes experience and am very enthusiastic about the role that athletics play in mental health and well being. I am pursuing my Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) designation with the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA) and strive to integrate my experience as an athlete with my approach in counselling. I have a keen interest in performance anxiety, whether it is in sports, school, work, or other aspects of daily life.
Ultimately, I am in this field because I have a passion for helping others. As a counsellor, I enjoy helping people with addressing a variety of areas of self-improvement, including anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, performance anxiety, social anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, problem solving, self-defeating behaviour, habits, conflict resolution, identity, expressing emotions, managing/coping with stress, communication difficulties, interpersonal skills, decision making, confidence, and sport-specific struggles.
My approach to counselling is client centred with emphasis placed on building strong therapeutic relationships and helping you navigate your desired direction. I believe that individuals have unique needs which will require a tailored approach to counselling and that the therapeutic process will look different for everyone. I draw from many different types of therapy, including strengths-based, solution-focused, emotion-focused, cognitive-behavioural, narrative, mindfulness and acceptance, and motivational interviewing.
As a counsellor, I strive to be kind, respectful, and supportive. I hope to establish a welcoming and warm environment, help clients cultivate self-awareness, and to approach challenges and distress with curiosity and compassion. Given my collaborative approach, I am most interested in how you perceive your experiences. I will also work to uncover pre-existing strengths, as well as fostering new ones. Therefore, my goal as a counsellor is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where individuals can feel seen, heard, and understood, as well as empowered to make room for meaningful change and to live their preferred life.
I have worked as a performance coach with Heroic Minds in Ontario, and am licensed thought the BCACC, and listed on BC Counselling . When I am not counselling I can be found spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, exercising, or at my family’s cabin on Horne Lake.