Bee Andressen Ma,CCC
I’m currently accepting new clients for in-person, online, and walk-and-talk sessions. If you have any questions about my work, or if you’d like to plan for a consultation call, please reach out.
I’m a counsellor, clinical supervisor, and artist living in amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta). I’m a settler here, actively working against white supremacy and colonization. I was born in Edmonton, and lived in California and BC for a decade before returning to the prairies a few years ago.
The foundations of my work are creativity, gentle curiosity, and the power of embodied practice. I seek to offer a welcoming and compassionate space for healing and growth. I’m tuned in to each client’s values and longings – and new possibilities as they emerge. I have 15 years of experience accompanying clients in healing and transformation.
I identify as queer and non-binary, and value being visible so clients can find me if they’re seeking a counsellor with shared experiences of queer identity and queer culture. I’m also neurodivergent and feel passionate about offering resources and support for creating a neurodivergent-affirming life that’s truly healthy and sustainable. I love supporting folks in finding ways to understand their sensory needs, discover more self-compassion, and find deep joy in their authenticity.
I accompany clients with depth, practicality, humour, and grounded presence. I welcome access needs of all kinds, and offer many options for engaging in counselling that are flexible and neurodivergent affirming. I listen deeply, and approach counselling from a collaborative and strengths-based perspective.
To support my continued learning, I participate in on-going professional development and read widely in the areas of somatics and expressive arts, social justice, and the science of the brain and nervous system. I find meaning and delight in all the awkward, exquisite, painful, delightful, and unexpected experiences that are part of being human. And I believe that counselling is a valuable resource in navigating the messy and beautiful complexity of our lives.
Wherever you are in your life, and whatever you’re seeking in counselling, all of you is welcome here.
Values
Decolonization, honouring access needs, curiosity, creativity, authenticity, imagining and working towards a world where everyone is safe
Practices that support me
Daily somatic practice, welcoming tender feelings, writing 750 words, creativity, movement, walking in the forest
Things I love
Learning, strong black tea, art-making, sending packages in the mail, research interests, moss, library books, big questions, picking berries, live music and theatre, queer joy, poetry, Tarot, pizza, brainstorming and new ideas, noticing
CERTIFICATIONS
Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (#10006159)
Member of the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (#2131)
EDUCATION
MA in Counselling Psychology – California Institute of Integral Studies (2013)
BA in Gender Studies and Creative Writing – University of Alberta (2007)