Hi. I’m Suki, MSW, RSW

You don’t have to carry this all on your own.

At the core of my approach to therapy, I believe in your capacity to learn, grow, and heal. You’ve done your very best with the hand you were dealt and the challenges you’ve faced. Even the behaviours you’re sick of and desperately want to change came from a place of protection and trying to get your needs met.

You recognize that what you’ve been doing isn’t working and you’re brave for reaching out. Seeking support is never a sign of weakness; it takes strength and vulnerability. Whether you’re taking the risk to try therapy for the first time or looking for something different than what you’ve tried in the past, I’m committed to making sure that you never walk away feeling like you wasted your time or there’s no hope for you.

You’re the expert on your reality and we’ll explore any aspects of your identity, upbringing, family, culture, and worldview that make sense for you. Nothing is off limits or “too much.” You’re not broken and you don’t need to be fixed. I’ll help you make sense of your story so you can find new ways of coping, being, and thriving.

Why work with me?

Between my professional and lived experiences, I’ve got you covered. You deserve someone who can offer you something new and unique to your situation. You’ve already tried so many things. You have a sense of why you do what you do and what needs to change. You’ve read, researched, talked, listened, and processed so many things in so many ways. You’ve tried new strategies, habits, and skills and even made some positive changes. But there’s still something keeping you stuck. I’ve got a combination of training and experience that will help you get to the root of what’s keeping you stuck whether it’s in your mind, body, or spirit.

I won’t ask you to go anywhere I haven’t gone myself in terms of doing the work and processing the pain. I’ve had my share of trauma and understand how much strength, resilience, time, self-compassion, and life force it takes to heal deeply and make lasting changes. My experience as a therapist, educator, course creator, and facilitator allow me to draw on various approaches and offer you options that fit your needs. I also know how essential connection, skill, empathy, and a sense of humour are when you’re processing the hard stuff so you can emerge healthier and happier.

Everything you do, even the stuff that drives you nuts, makes sense once it’s put in the context of your story. Once you understand it, you can change it.

My Guiding Principles

Consent

Informed and ongoing consent. Trauma survivors typically didn’t have a say in, or control over, what happened to them. Permission is key when healing trauma. You’ll have a say in every step of the pace and process. You can ask questions and I’ll be honest with you about your options.

Growth

I commit to my growth as a therapist so I can support your growth and development. I continually invest time and money into training and supervision so I can keep learning.. I commit to my own self-care and healing to make sure that I offer you the most effective services.

Authenticity

You’re invited to show up authentically. You can be unapologetically you, say what you want, and talk how you want. All your feelings are valid and welcome. No offence taken and no judgement from me. I’ll be genuine, transparent, and direct even if things get uncomfortable.

Decolonization

Let’s explore psychological, ancestral, ecological, systemic, and collective factors. There are limits to western models of illness and healing. I acknowledge power, privilege, oppression, intersectionality, and spirit. Colonial wounds harm us all and I want to help create a new paradigm.

My Training, Education & Expertise

  • Suki Athwal, BSc, BA, BEd, MSW, RSW

    Registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Workers (RSW # 16727)

    Master of Social Work, University of Northern BC (2016)

    Bachelor of Education, Queen’s University (1998)

    Bachelor of Science in Applied Honours Physics, University of Waterloo (1998)

    Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Waterloo (1998)

  • Trauma Regulation and Integration Process (TRIP) Core Foundational Certification

    Trauma Regulation and Integration Process (TRIP) Advanced Training: Somatic Symptoms, Parts, and Eye Movements

    Relationship Recovery Model (RRP) Therapist Training

    Emotionally Focussed Couples Therapy Training

    Internal Family Systems Online Circle Training

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Certification

    Solution Focussed Therapy Training

    Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Groups Training

  • Although I specialize in Trauma, Relationships, Cultural Identity & Life Transitions, and Social Justice & Climate Anxiety/Grief/Rage, other areas of expertise include:

    Anxiety

    Birth Trauma

    Depression

    Family conflict

    Immigrant and Refugee Experiences

    Infertility

    Interracial couples

    Multiracial Families

    Narcissistic Mothers

    Parenting (including Parenting High Needs Children)

    Pregnancy

    Pregnancy Loss

    Prenatal

    Postpartum

    Racial identity

    Self esteem

    South Asian Experiences

    Women's issues

Testimonials

  • "Suki’s authentic presence and skill in the TRIP model gave me access to different parts of myself that I haven't explored before. She guided me in a new direction of a deeper understanding of myself. I trust her knowledge and experience in providing a safe space to uncover new paths to healing."

    DiAnna VanEycke, LMFT

  • "I would encourage anyone to spend time with Suki. When I think of a 'good therapist,' I imagine someone that demonstrates competence, compassion, and empathy. I've observed Suki with all these qualities, but what I've been struck with, is her level of empathy and compassion. There's something about being in her presence that makes me and others feel warm, accepted, and heard. She's a critical thinker and she has the unique ability to look at all aspects of a situation and/or person and demonstrate discernment without judgment. I have been a practicing social worker/therapist for 30 years and highly recommend Suki Athwal."

    Creele Dodd, LCSW

  • "I would have no reservations sending a loved one to Suki for therapy. She is caring and supportive, has a wide breadth of knowledge and experience and is skilled at building relationship and supporting clients through the hard but necessary work. Her clients are lucky to have her!"

    Sharon Depcinski, LMSW, CST

  • "Suki is an insightful, highly skilled and compassionate therapist. She deeply cares for the wellbeing of her clients and works hard to help them achieve their therapeutic goals. I strongly recommend working with Suki for the treatment of childhood trauma, relationship, and identity issues."

    Andrea Sioris, LCSW

Still Reading? Want to know even more about me?

This section’s for you if you’re the type of person who wants to know some personal details before you decide to give someone a shot. I totally get it. Therapy is personal and it’s a risk to put yourself out there when you need help. Especially if you learned to stop asking for help at a young age because it never made a difference anyway. So, here’s some personal info about me.

As the eldest daughter of Punjabi immigrant parents, I know how hard it can be to find a therapist who gets what it’s like to navigate multiple minority identities and understands the impact of ongoing family and cultural expectations. Some therapists cause more harm than good. I lived my rather painful version of this reality in the days before social media support. I’m so happy you have access to more resources out there and I’d be honoured to help you navigate your version of this reality.

There’s no issue that’s taboo or too awkward—power, sex, money, guilt, privilege, shame, family traditions, trauma, secrets—you’re not the only one out there experiencing it and it’s okay take up space and talk about it. I’m here to help you process the multifaceted layers of your identity and experiences so you can move forward with the choices that make sense for you.

I’ll never gaslight you into thinking that your problems (and solutions) lie solely within you as an isolated individual when it’s clear that you’re responding to very real stresses caused by systemic and social justice issues or the legitimate existential angst of climate change. Hard is hard. You don’t need to compare your trauma to people who “have it worse.” Your pain is valid and you deserve support to move through it and build an authentic life that’s full of relief, ease, and joy.

  • Childhood Trauma

    Family conflicts

    Interracial marriage

    Parenting as a Cycle Breaker

    Parenting High Needs Children

    Parenting Teens and Tweens

    Pregnancy and Infertility Issues

    Pregnancy Losses

    Prenatal and Postpartum

    Birth Trauma

    Racial/Cultural Identity

    Relationship/Marriage/Couples Counselling

    Social Justice & Climate Anxiety/Grief/Rage

    South Asian Experiences

  • I grew up in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario and moved to Victoria without ever travelling out west first. I met my husband here and we’ve since lived in Labrador, Northern BC, and then moved back to Victoria over 10 years ago.

    I’ve been married for almost 20 years. My husband’s white and we work hard to deal with our own issues and be better partners to each other. We spend way too much time driving our teen and tween around so they can live their best lives.

    We were an unschooling/life learning family for about a decade because both kids decided that school wasn’t their jam. Until it was and they started back in middle school.

    I really believe in process over product.

    I love cold water ocean dips, walks, and cherry blossoms. Walks during cherry blossom season are the best.

    I love dance and try to perform at least twice a year. I started dance classes regularly in my 40s and my current faves are hip hop, contemporary, bhangra, sass, and Bollywood. Dance is mindfulness, respite, and joy for me. I used to joke that I could pay for dance classes or I’d have to pay for therapy. Turns out I actually needed both. :)

It’s time for lasting change

Book your free 20 min consultation call to ask questions and decide if I’m the right fit for you.