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A PERSONAL STORY

Hi, my name is Alyson (or Aly) Kowalewsky and I'm so glad you found my website.

 

I am many things and have many stories.

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In no particular order, I am a social worker, a counsellor, a volunteer, an advocate, a pal, a daughter, a partner, a bonus parent to two amazing boys, an auntie, a rabble rouser, and a dog companion

 

I was born and raised on the homelands of the lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking peoples of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, also known as Victoria, BC, and continue to call these lands my home as a white settler. I am a cis-gender woman (she/her), queer, middle-class, and have Ukrainian and English ancestry.

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I love to spend time hiking with my dog, camping, crafting, reading fiction, playing ball sports, watching 90s action flicks, playing board games, and eating seafood. If you want to get me gabbing, ask me about women's basketball (Go Lynx!). I am skilled in the art of cultivating cozy. 

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I value curiosity, kindness, playfulness, service, and social justice. 

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I believe whole-heartedly in the transformative power of therapy and am grateful for the mentors, teachers, counsellors, and collaborators who have walked alongside me in my journey.

 

I am a lifelong learner and unlearner who has made mistakes along the way. I am grateful for these teachings and for the future learning I will do through more mistakes.

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I can't wait to get know you and your stories.

Alyson Kowalewsky
Picture of Alyson Kowalewsky with dog

A PROFESSIONAL STORY

I have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from the University of Victoria and a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a Clinical Specialization in clinical practice with individuals, groups, and families from the University of Calgary.

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I am a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW), #12092. I am also a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), #23110.

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I have over 10+ years experience in mental health and substance use settings, primarily in the public system of care, with children, youth, and adults in both outpatient, inpatient, and outreach settings.

 

I currently work in public health care as an a substance use counsellor and group facilitator. Prior to this I worked as a counsellor at an inpatient mental health hospital for children and youth. I volunteer at a local non-profit that aims to provide accessible counselling to the community.

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I participate in a DBT Consult Team and receive monthly clinical consultation in DBT from Dr. Robin McCann. I also access regular clinical supervision from Dr. Meera Dhebar.​

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Alyson Kowalewsky

SELECT TRAINING

The practice of ongoing professional development and training is essential part of ethical therapeutic practice. I am dedicated to the process of learning and unlearning. The following is a non-inclusive list of recent trainings:

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  • Narrative Therapy

    • ​Vancouver School of Narrative Therapy (VSNT) Levels 1 (2023) & 2 (2024)

    • VSNT.Live Member

    • VSNT:  2024 Narrative Therapy Conference 

    • David Marsten, Miracle Mile Community Practice Narrative trainings 2024-2025 ongoing (with thanks)

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  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

    • DBT Core Training, Dr. John Wagner, DBT Vancouver (2019)

    • Psychwire DBT Skills for Adolescents and Families (2023)

    • Psychwire/Behavior Tech 16 month DBT Intensive Plus Training (2024-2025)

    • Brushing Up on Chain Analysis, Shireen Rizvi (2025)

    • DBT Prolonged Exposure Intensive Training, Melanie Harned & Lorie Ritschel (2025)

    • DBT PE: Treating Traumatic Invalidation in Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Harned & Sloan (2025)

    • DBT for Substance Use Disorders, Behavior Tech, Nick Salsman & Emily Cooney (2025)

    • Optimizing DBT for Autistic Individuals, Lorie Ritschel & Samantha Ascanio (2025)

    • Getting to Adherence in DBT Individual Sessions, Dr. Melanie Harned & Dr. Sara Schmidt (2025)

    • Conducting Effective and Adherent Individual DBT Sessions, Dr. John Wagner & Dr. Alexander Chapman, DBT Vancouver (2025)

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  • Single Session Therapy - Levels 1 & II (2024)

  • Motivational Interviewing (2023)

  • Emotionally Focused Family Therapy, Levels 1 & 2 (2022, 2023)

  • Emotion Focused Individual Therapy, Sue Johnson (2021)

  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT-A) (2022, 2023)

  • Therapeutic Arts Facilitation (2019)

  • San'yas Cultural Safety Training (2023)

  • Trauma and Resiliency Informed Practice Training (2024)

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