“Clients are the experts of their own lives, and wellness is not a state of being, but a state of action.”
WORK
- Director, BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
- Former Therapist, BC Society of Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
- Former Instructor, University of BC., Department of Special Education and Counselling Psychology
- Former Administrator, Vancouver School Board, Special Education and Alternative Programs
- Former Teacher, Vancouver School Board, K to 12
EDUCATION
- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC #6919)
- Doctorate in Leadership and Policy, University of Kansas
- Master of Counselling Psychology, University of BC
- B of Education, University of Alberta
- B of History and Political Science, University of Alberta
- EMDR – Advanced Level
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Abuse – Emotional, Physical, Sexual
- Addictions – Including Substances
- Addictions – Online Gaming
- Addictions – Sexual
- Addiction – Social Media Addiction
- Adult and Early Childhood Experiences
- Adolescence Issues
- Anger Management Issues
- Anxiety
- ASD and Neurodiversity Issues (including ADHD)
- Behavioral Issues with Children
- Bullying
- Burnout
- Creativity
- Coaching
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Education Counselling
- Employee Assistance
- Family Conflict
- Gender and Health Issues
- Grief and Loss
- Life Transitions
- LGBTQIA2S+ Issues
- Men’s Issues – Health and Identity
- Parent – Child Relationship
- Perfectionism
- Performance Enhancement
- Personal Growth
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorders
- Retirement Issues
APPROACHES USED
- Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Communication Skills Training
- Existential and Humanistic
- Expressive Art Therapies
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Life and Career Coaching
- Meditation
- Mindfulness Practices
- Rogerian
- Sensorimotor Approaches
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Somatic Experiencing (SE)
- Vocation Counselling
ABOUT
Douglas Matear is a Canadian Certified Counsellor providing Individual Counselling to adults, teens, and children, and one of our most experienced counsellors. He has a Master in Counselling Psychology and Doctor of Education in Leadership and Policy. He continually collaborates with his clients to determine the best therapeutic approach that suits his clients needs, and firmly believes that “clients are the experts of their own lives, and wellness is not a state of being, but a state of action.”
He is a long-time practitioner of EMDR but uses a variety of approaches which best suit the needs of his clients. His diverse work and life experiences suit him well in navigating difficult conversations. Early childhood trauma, the impact of abuse, anxiety and depression and an anti-deficit frame are at the core of his work. Cross-cultural sensitivity and being a member of the LGBTQIA2P+ community have enriched his therapeutic approaches. He is further interested in stress reduction, mindfulness, the importance of exercise, coaching clients to be the best they can be, and utilizing creative techniques into his approach to therapy.
Douglas has 23 years experience as a psychotherapist working with trauma and its related symptoms while working at BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse. He has over 37 years in the education fields as a teacher, counsellor, and administrator working with K to 12 students. His last position was as the Principal of Alternative Education for the Vancouver School Board, working with students who found mainstream classroom challenging due to life circumstances and/or learning disabilities. In addition, he has taught at UBC in the Department of Special Education and Counselling Psychology.
Clients describe Douglas as a kind, optimistic and compassionate psychotherapist. Douglas works with clients to co-create a solid therapeutic relationship where individuals feel heard, understood, and supported. They work together in partnership to bring forth insights, solve problems, see more possibilities, and implement real change. Douglas believes the goal of therapy is to always strive for a more fulfilling life where one acquires the knowledge and skills to enhance one’s life through psychotherapy. He cares deeply for his clients and always looks forward to their work together.
He considers it a privilege to journey alongside his clients, and always takes time to honour his clients gains and tries to help them become the best they can be!
If you’re feeling stuck, having a difficult time finding your focus to move forward, and/or have experienced difficulties that appear to continually undermine forward movement, but are wanting that person in your corner for support, insight, encouragement, and skill development, then
WORK
- Director, BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
- Former Therapist, BC Society of Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
- Former Instructor, University of BC., Department of Special Education and Counselling Psychology
- Former Administrator, Vancouver School Board, Special Education and Alternative Programs
- Former Teacher, Vancouver School Board, K to 12
EDUCATION
- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC #6919)
- Doctorate in Leadership and Policy, University of Kansas
- Master of Counselling Psychology, University of BC
- B of Education, University of Alberta
- B of History and Political Science, University of Alberta
- EMDR – Advanced Level
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Abuse – Emotional, Physical, Sexual
- Addictions – Including Substances
- Addictions – Online Gaming
- Addictions – Sexual
- Addiction – Social Media Addiction
- Adult and Early Childhood Experiences
- Adolescence Issues
- Anger Management Issues
- Anxiety
- ASD and Neurodiversity Issues (including ADHD)
- Behavioral Issues with Children
- Bullying
- Burnout
- Creativity
- Coaching
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Education Counselling
- Employee Assistance
- Family Conflict
- Gender and Health Issues
- Grief and Loss
- Life Transitions
- LGBTQIA2S+ Issues
- Men’s Issues – Health and Identity
- Parent – Child Relationship
- Perfectionism
- Performance Enhancement
- Personal Growth
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorders
- Retirement Issues
APPROACHES USED
- Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Communication Skills Training
- Existential and Humanistic
- Expressive Art Therapies
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Life and Career Coaching
- Meditation
- Mindfulness Practices
- Rogerian
- Sensorimotor Approaches
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Somatic Experiencing (SE)
- Vocation Counselling
ABOUT
Douglas Matear is a Canadian Certified Counsellor providing Individual Counselling to adults, teens, and children, and one of our most experienced counsellors. He has a Master in Counselling Psychology and Doctor of Education in Leadership and Policy. He continually collaborates with his clients to determine the best therapeutic approach that suits his clients needs, and firmly believes that “clients are the experts of their own lives, and wellness is not a state of being, but a state of action.”
He is a long-time practitioner of EMDR but uses a variety of approaches which best suit the needs of his clients. His diverse work and life experiences suit him well in navigating difficult conversations. Early childhood trauma, the impact of abuse, anxiety and depression and an anti-deficit frame are at the core of his work. Cross-cultural sensitivity and being a member of the LGBTQIA2P+ community have enriched his therapeutic approaches. He is further interested in stress reduction, mindfulness, the importance of exercise, coaching clients to be the best they can be, and utilizing creative techniques into his approach to therapy.
Douglas has 23 years experience as a psychotherapist working with trauma and its related symptoms while working at BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse. He has over 37 years in the education fields as a teacher, counsellor, and administrator working with K to 12 students. His last position was as the Principal of Alternative Education for the Vancouver School Board, working with students who found mainstream classroom challenging due to life circumstances and/or learning disabilities. In addition, he has taught at UBC in the Department of Special Education and Counselling Psychology.
Clients describe Douglas as a kind, optimistic and compassionate psychotherapist. Douglas works with clients to co-create a solid therapeutic relationship where individuals feel heard, understood, and supported. They work together in partnership to bring forth insights, solve problems, see more possibilities, and implement real change. Douglas believes the goal of therapy is to always strive for a more fulfilling life where one acquires the knowledge and skills to enhance one’s life through psychotherapy. He cares deeply for his clients and always looks forward to their work together.
He considers it a privilege to journey alongside his clients, and always takes time to honour his clients gains and tries to help them become the best they can be!
If you’re feeling stuck, having a difficult time finding your focus to move forward, and/or have experienced difficulties that appear to continually undermine forward movement, but are wanting that person in your corner for support, insight, encouragement, and skill development, then