Heidi RedlBA, MACP, RCC
Clinical Counsellor and Associate
Heidi is a trauma counsellor who helps people find joy and meaning in their lives after disaster has occurred. She is particularly drawn to working with people who are living with chronic disease or disability,or who are in palliative care. In 2004, Heidi was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis so she has first-hand knowledge of how suddenly one’s life can be changed by bad news or an accident. If you are overwhelmed by life circumstances and drowning in feelings of grief and loss, Heidi can meet you there; she understands you and has been there. She’s still there.
Heidi is also always available to talk to people who love and support disabled, ill people and people who are in palliative care. You make life worth living for the disabled and ill and it takes a tremendous toll on your mental, physical and emotional health. She is proud to support Indigenous populations and intergenerational trauma and has undergone specialized training in Disaster Psychosocial Services. She will be volunteering her time in the Fall of 2023 to support those impacted by BC wildfires with psychosocial first aid.
Heidi’s preferred counselling methodology is Humanistic Existentialism. In plain language, she likes to help people find the answers to the big questions: Why did this happen to me? Now what? What is my purpose in life? How do I get unstuck and move past this situation?
Heidi’s history includes working as a cattle rancher (she spent a lot of time pondering the big questions on the back of a horse),raising children, volunteering with the MS Society of Canada, working as a fitness coach (yes, a disabled fitness coach) and authoring two books: A Quiet Roar: Living with Multiple Sclerosis and Raising Janis: an autistic child grows up. Doing research for her second book gave Heidi an interest in, and appreciation for, working with people on the autism spectrum and their caregivers.
Prior to tackling a master’s degree in counselling psychology,Heidi earned an undergraduate degree in German and Russian languages and literature. She is fluent in German and welcomes any excuse to keep her language skills sharp. If you want to converse with her in Russian it will be more difficult and will likely involve a lot of sign language and hand-waving, but she’s game to try!
Heidi has been married to her husband Tom (also her caregiver and phenomenal support person) for 35 terrific and tumultuous years and they have three grown children.Heidi is relatively new to Kamloops and is loving living here. When she isn’t supporting clients, she is enjoying all that the area has to offer and spending time with her first grandchild who arrived in 2022.
Heidi’s counselling services are covered by most Extended Health Programs and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).
