Collaborative. Creative. Strengths Based.
At Alder Mountain, we are committed to employing evidence-informed practices to facilitate a healing and growth journey uniquely tailored to each individual. We believe in the inherent wisdom and resilience within every person. Our goal is to empower you to live authentically, in alignment with your true values.
Serving Western Canada
At Alder Mountain Counselling & Psychotherapy, we are proud to be licensed to provide exceptional mental health services to clients in British Columbia and Alberta. Direct billing is available for most extended healthcare plans (and their subsidiaries), including:
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
First Nations Health Authority
Criminal Victims Assistance Program
Sun Life Financial/Lumino
Great West Life/Canada Life
Manulife Financial
Alberta Blue Cross
Green Shield Canada/SSQ
Homewood Health
Medivae Blue Cross
Please consult with your specific insurance provider to understand your coverage options and how we can support your mental health journey.
Alder Mountain Counselling & Psychotherapy strives to uphold and exceed the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the historic and ongoing harms of colonization on Indigenous People.
Alder Mountain Counselling & Psychotherapy seeks to acknowledge and celebrate diversity in all of its forms. You are welcome here, exactly as you are.
“The only way forward is through understanding, respect, and unity.”
Our Services
We provide compassionate support for mental health, interpersonal and identity challenges. Whether dealing with trauma, depression, anxiety, substance use, loss, change or feeling stuck in any part of your life, we are here to help. Therapy fosters personal growth and identity exploration, with tailored approaches in a caring environment.
We offer a safe space for individuals and couples to discuss relationships, sex, and sexuality. Understanding the unique complexities of each relationship style, from the more traditional to the diverse, including polyamory and consensual non-monogamy, we welcome all sexual orientations and gender identities. Kinky, aromantic and asexual folks, we see you too! Whether you seek help with personal growth, communication, pleasure or specific relationship issues including infidelity, we are here to assist you.
We offer specialized therapy designed for individuals seeking to connect deeply with nature in their healing journey from eco-grief, eco-trauma, and related challenges. Our unique approach integrates nature-based therapies that foster emotional resilience and promote a sense of belonging within the natural world.
Stay tuned for some virtual opportunities to connect, heal and grow with others, arriving 2025!
None of us have to go it alone! We offer individualized clinical supervision as well as tailored training events for organizations.
At Alder Mountain Counselling & Psychotherapy, we offer comprehensive mental health assessments conducted by practitioners liscensed to diagnose using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Our approach prioritizes your well-being and aims to empower you by identifying diagnoses that can facilitate access to essential resources across health, legal, social and justice systems. We understand that a diagnosis can sometimes carry stigma, which is why our assessments are performed in a compassionate and anti-oppressive manner. We are dedicated to providing a thorough evaluation that not only respects your individuality and life circumstances but also supports your journey towards healing and growth. Your mental health matters, and we are here to help you navigate it with understanding and expertise.
We are on the lookout for other eco-informed practitioners and learners who are on a similar journey of enhancing our collective wellbeing through creative and evidence-informed practices.
Please reach out to discuss!
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”
Groups & Events
Stay tuned! Resilience building groups and community activities coming in 2025!
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We aim to make counselling and therapy affordable. Fees can be adjusted based on your health insurance coverage. We offer four fully free sessions and another four at half price each week.
Priority on the waitlist is given to residents of Jasper who are facing eco-anxiety or eco-grief and are without extended healthcare benefits. Further priority is given to people living with HIV who require a low cost and stigma-free environment.
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Whether on your own or with significant others
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Often helpful when there is more than one person, or for EMDR treatments. Longer sessions may also be recommended for eco-psychotherapy sessions which take place outdoors.
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See the Groups & Events page for upcoming activities that are offered free of charge. Also keep an eye out for soon to be released blog posts for thought provoking and helpful content!
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Typically one hour spent in a virtual meeting, however could also include one hour spent reviewing case notes and audio/video recordings of sessions.
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Physician or lawyer referral required.
This is a formal psychosocial assessment that includes a DSM-V diagnosis conducted by a RCSW. The standard fee of $1800 includes three individual sessions, consultations with other professionals, a comprehensive written report and up to one hour of post-report follow up with the referrer. Fees may vary depending on the circumstances.
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For organizations and businesses that are looking for consultation on workplace mental health, contact us to develop a custom built program. The fee will be determined accordingly.
Paying for and affording therapy
“Water flows, shapes, and nourishes—just like healing journeys do. It carves through the depths, bringing life and renewal to all it touches.”
Introducing Kohen Elander, MSW, RCSW
Kohen (he, him) has nearly 20 years of experience as a clinical social worker and therapist. While he estimates that he has conducted about 20,000 client encounters, what he values most about his profession is the opportunity to learn something new about the human experience with each and every client, couple/polycule, or group he engages with. He approaches every encounter with a fresh perspective.
Kohen completed a BA in Psychology, followed by his MSW at the University of Toronto. He then worked in community and hospital settings focused on gender-based violence, substance use and addictions, and supporting individuals living with HIV. His open and nonjudgmental demeanor creates a comfortable atmosphere for clients to discuss their deepest challenges and uncover their greatest strengths.
Drawing inspiration from time spent in nature, exploring the humanities, and creative pursuits, Kohen continually expands his knowledge of contemporary psychological and sociological theories. He supplements his extensive practical experience with advanced professional training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR, a specialized treatment for trauma), Motivational Interviewing, Sex Therapy, Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and Eco-Psychotherapy.
Kohen predominantly meets with clients virtually on Zoom or telephone. He has physical office locations in Dunster, BC (serving the Robson Valley-Jasper Region) and Downtown Vancouver in which face-to-face meetings can be arranged. Outdoor sessions (highly recommended for those interested in eco-psychotherapy) are also available.
Listen to Kohen’s Land Acknowledgement here:
Let’s meet
At Alder Mountain Counselling & Psychotherapy, we understand that finding the right therapist is a crucial step in your healing journey. That's why we offer a free 30-minute phone call for anyone interested in our services. Research indicates that a strong sense of connection and comfort with your therapist significantly enhances the therapeutic experience and outcomes. We encourage you to take this opportunity to reach out and get to know us better, as well as explore other options. Engaging in this initial conversation can help you feel more informed and confident in your choice. Your journey deserves the best start possible.
“Tell me, what is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”