Who We Are
Safe Haven Counselling in Surrey, BC
At Safe Haven Counselling, we believe that healing happens when you feel truly seen, heard, and held in a space of professional excellence and deep empathy. Located in the heart of South Surrey, our clinic was built to be exactly what its name suggests: a reliable anchor for individuals, couples, and families navigating life’s most difficult transitions.
our story
Rooted in Connection
Safe Haven Counselling was founded in 2017 by Clinical Director Claire De Boer. What began as a vision to provide quality mental health support as a single practitioner, has now evolved into a specialized practice dedicated to deeper, impactful work in which we support our clients as a team.
Over nearly a decade of serving the South Surrey community, Claire recognized that sustainable change requires more than just managing symptoms — it requires addressing the roots. This realization shifted our focus toward attachment-based and trauma-informed practices, bridging the gap between clinical rigor and genuine connection.
OUR APPROACH
What Makes Us Unique
We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to mental health. Our philosophy is rooted in the understanding that you are the expert on your own life, and we are the experts in the therapeutic process.
Attachment & Trauma-Informed
We understand that our earliest relationships shape how we move through the world today. Every therapist operates from a lens that honors your history while helping you find resolution through proven modalities like IFS, EFT, and EMDR.
The Master’s Standard
Every counsellor at Safe Haven holds a Master’s Degree and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). This ensures your care is grounded in advanced psychological theory and a commitment to professional ethics.
Genuine Inclusivity
We provide LGBTQ2S+ affirming, sex-positive, and neurodivergent-affirming care. We recognize the unique lived experiences of every individual and offer an environment where your identity is celebrated and understood.
OUR PEOPLE
Meet Our Team
Our team is composed of diverse professionals, each bringing a unique specialization to our collective practice.
Claire De Boer
MA, RCC | Clinical Director & Senior Counsellor
Claire works with individuals and couples from an attachment-based perspective, specializing in trauma, midlife transitions, and relationship healing. She empowers clients to live courageous, heart-centered lives using EFT, IFS, and EMDR.
Justin Clark
MA, RCC | Associate Counsellor
Justin works with couples and individual adults and teens navigating emotional and sexual disconnection, communication hurdles, and conflict. He provides a warm, respectful environment for partners to deepen their understanding, rebuild trust, and strengthen intimacy. In addition to sex therapy, Justin specializes in supporting neurodivergent individuals, including those navigating ADHD.
Nadine Inkster
MA, RCC | Associate Counsellor
Nadine provides a calm, grounded space for youth (12+), adults, families, and first responders. She specializes in helping families understand anxious or shut-down relationship patterns. Nadine is deeply committed to providing LGBTQ2S+ affirming care, helping individuals navigate identity and belonging with safety and authenticity.
Pooja Ladwa
MA, RCC | Associate Counsellor
Pooja supports adults navigating relational trauma, grief, neurodivergence, and chronic pain. She has a specialized focus on supporting female survivors of domestic abuse and intimate partner violence. Pooja brings a culturally attuned perspective and offers therapy in English, Gujarati, Hindi, and Kiswahili.
Amy Dahl
MA, RCC | Associate Counsellor
Amy specializes in addictions and supporting adults who are carrying pain beneath the surface, often manifesting as overwhelming stress or coping patterns like overworking. She offers a safe, non-judgmental space to explore the roots of these behaviors and find a sustainable way forward.
Irene Yakovleva
MA, RCC | Associate Counsellor
Irene has a deep interest in healing the “Mother Wound,” supporting individuals who are untangling the impact of complex, early maternal dynamics — including experiences with mothers who were emotionally manipulative, controlling, or unavailable — to help them reclaim their sense of self.
Lindsay Stead
Clinic Coordinator & Office Dynamo
Lindsay is the heart behind the scenes at Safe Haven Counselling. With a strong business background and a gift for organization, she brings both warmth and structure to the day-to-day life of the clinic. Reach out to Lindsay to find your best counsellor match.
Trust & Standards
Credentials & Affiliations
Clinical trust is the foundation of our work. Safe Haven Counselling and its team are proud members of the following professional bodies:
BCACC Registered
All our practitioners are Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCCs), ensuring they meet the highest provincial standards for education and ethics.
CRA Registered
Our practice is incorporated and adheres to all British Columbia regulatory and professional standards.
Your Safety
Privacy & Ethics
Your privacy is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship. We adhere to the highest standards of data protection and professional conduct.
PIPA Compliant
We operate in full compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) of British Columbia. We use secure, encrypted, and Canadian-hosted platforms to ensure your records remain strictly confidential.
BCACC Standards
As Registered Clinical Counsellors, we are bound by the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors’ Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
CRA & Regulatory Alignment
Our practice is a BC-incorporated professional entity, meeting all provincial and federal requirements for health service providers.
SUPPORT IS HERE
Ready to Begin?
Take the first step toward healing with a free 15-minute consultation. We’ll help you find the right counsellor for your journey.
Our counselling services are available to residents of British Columbia.