DENNIS DION THERAPY
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About Dennis

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Dennis Dion, MA RCC
Pronouns: his/him
Settler and Ally

Professional

In my private practice, I have worked with individuals, families, and couples who have struggled with the following problems: depression, anxiety, addiction (substances, gambling, and pornography), grief and loss, sexuality, gender questioning, shame, guilt, fear, life transition, stress, relationship conflict for queer and heterosexual couples, and the negative consequences of sexism, racism, ageism, poverty, homophobia and transphobia.
I have facilitated individual, group, couples, and family sessions; so, I am comfortable with having sessions with as many or as few participants as my clients wish. I also have extensive experience working in the field of addiction. In addition to my private practice work, I worked for over 15 years in mental health and addictions in residential treatment programs and outpatient support through Vancouver Coastal Health. I also worked for 8 years with the BC Responsible and Problem Gambling Program - supporting "gamblers" or "affected others" in individual, group, family or couples counselling.
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Similarly, in the past, I worked as a Family Therapist at Peak House which is a residential treatment program for youth working towards getting their life back from drugs and alcohol. The youth I worked with had a 'life and death' struggle with substances and a number of problems that often tagged along including: depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, shame, fear, grief, disordered eating, self-harm, suicidal thinking, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. I worked with a team of professionals, community partners and family members to help the young person find freedom from their struggles. My work also included a fair amount of family counselling to help families reconnect to each other after the bomb of addiction had gone off in their lives. I am a big believer in family work because the youth who were connected to their families had better outcomes ("family" as the young people defined them - biological and/or chosen). I've seen many of the youth I worked with get their lives back from addiction and other seemingly overwhelming problems. I know change and recovery is possible.
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Relevant Education

  • Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
  • Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology at City University
  • Certification from the Vancouver School of Narrative Therapy
  • Certification from the Problem Gambling Program

Presentations

  • Guest lecturer at Vancouver Community College Counseling Certification Program
  • Vancouver Coastal Health: Helping Helpers Help Young People Struggling With Substance Misuse
  • Co-presented at a number of the Therapeutic Conversations Conferences on the following topics: Relational Responses to Problematic Substance Misuse - How to work with families/caregivers to support their young person in making change; Intersections between Queer Theory and Narrative Therapy; Working with young people struggling to find freedom from substance misuse; Insider/Outsider and the Generative Space in Between - Using and Passing on Insider Knowledge around substance misuse.
  • Ran support groups for parents and caregivers of transgender, genderqueer, or gender questioning youth.
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Personal

I was born and raised in Vancouver and have deep roots in this city.  Most of my family still lives here and, although I have travelled extensively around the world, Vancouver is my home. I am a father and co-parent two young children - no one really prepared me for how much you can love your kids.  Sports and recreation have always been in my life and I love being active both indoors and outdoors.  I am especially fond of racquet sports, although I have a new appreciation for golf as I inherited my father's golf clubs.  I am sure he is helping me improve my game - thanks, dad.
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I am also a big supporter of the arts, culture, film, and music.  If I am not in a movie theatre on my days off, I am out trying to take in as many cultural activities as I can with friends and family.  I have a busy life filled with family, long-standing friendships, professional endeavors, sports, and the outdoors (mostly rain or shine...I mean it is Vancouver).

Dennis Dion, MA RCC

Pronouns: his/him
Settler and Ally
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Services

Individual Counselling
Couples Counselling
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Contact

778.839.9551

Photography Credit Sweet Earth Photographics
© Dennis Dion Therapy 2024
  • Home
  • About
  • Approach
  • Services
    • Low Cost Services
  • FAQ
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Book An Appointment