- About Chantelle -

My Story

I am a proud-born and raised Yukoner, living in beautiful Vancouver since 2018. Growing up remote Yukon has deeply shaped who I am and how I show up in the world. (You can learn more about that experience here)

I was raised in a working-class home, in a blue-collar town, I am the first person in my immediate family and much of my social circle to get a post-secondary education. A challenging, lonely and deeply fulfilling expedition.

Counselling isn’t just my job, it is my passion and my calling. With an intimate relationship with emotional and spiritual pain, I started my own deep trauma work early on.This led to a lifelong journey of healing and helping others do the same. By the age of eighteen I knew I wanted to be a counsellor and set off on the helping path.

As rebel and misfit, I am someone who has never quite felt like she fully belonged. Some of the unique intersections of my identity have made it that

I’ve grown more comfortable in the spaces in between.

Walking between worlds and connecting in authenticity is where I thrive.

I’ve always felt like maybe the world isn’t set up for me; like everyone else seemed to receive a manual on how the world works, but someone must have forgotten mine.

I aim to open my doors for others who may feel this way too. You are more than what has happened to you, and more than any labels could ever describe. I want you to have the freedom to choose who you are and to be able to change your mind again and again.

Join me in my practice today and see how different the world can look from another side.

Book yourself in for a free consultation here

Formal Cedentials

  • Master of Counselling Degree

    City University of Seattle 2020

  • Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology

    Thompson Rivers University 2016

  • Community Support Work Certificate

    Yukon College 2008

Additional Trainings and Seminars

2SLGBTQI+ Support

  • Queering Mental Health Conference 2023 - Our Landing Place (2023)

  • Queering Mental Health Conference 2022 - Our Landing Place (2022)

    Intro - Gender Diversity - Transcare BC (2022)

    Trans Rights Toolkit - Trans Care BC  (2022)

  • Queering Mental Health Conference 2021 - Our Landing Place (2021)

Anti-Oppressive Practice

  • Promising Practices for working with Sex Workers: Living in Community’s Approach to Effective service Delivery - Living in Community (2025)

  • Curriculum for Change: make space for new opportunities and perspectives in regard to sex workers’ safety and acceptance in society - Living in Community (2025)

  • Leaning into Liberatory Practice Summit - Reflecting on Justice (2024)

  • San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training-  San’yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program (2021)

  • Vikki Reynolds - Justice Doing in Private/Alternative Practice - Narrative Therapy Centre of Toronto (2021)

Trauma Therapy

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Training (EMDR) Basic Training + Special Populations (2024)

  • New Dimensions of Trauma Healing: Energy, Neuroscience and Spirituality - Therapy Wisdom (2024)

  • Risking Connection - Traumatic Stress Institute (2016)

  • Allen Wade - Response Based Practice - Liard Aboriginal Women’s Society (2016)

  • Trauma Informed Practice Training- Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services  (2015)

  • Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training - Crisis Prevention Institute (2015)

  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) - LivingWorks (2014)

  • Gabor Matê - Trauma and Addiction - YTG Alcohol and Drug Services (2008)

Psychedelic Therapy Training

  • Fundamentals of Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy Didactic Training - TheraPsil (2024)

  • Ethical Right Relationship in Psychedelic Therapy - Ethics 101 (2023)

  • Ethical Right Relationship In Psychedelic Therapy - Ethics 102 (2023)

  • Peer Consultation Groups: Supporting Ethical alternates in Community - Ethics 103 - (2023)

  • Microdosing Psilocybin and LSD: What we know so far - Psychedelic Support (2023)

  • Riding the Wave: Principles of Psychedelic Harm Reduction - Psychedelic Support (2022)

  • Psychedelic Psychotherapy Forum (2022)

  • Exploring Psychedelics: Discovery, Research, and Effects - Psychedelic Support (2022)

Narrative Therapy

  • Feminisms, Intersectionality and Narrative Practice - Dulwich Centre Foundation (pending)

  • Aboriginal Narrative Practice Course - Dulwich Centre Foundation (2024)

  • What is Narrative Practice - Dulwich Centre Foundation (2021)

General Practice

  • Group Facilitation Training - Grief and Loss Support - Living Through Loss Counselling of BC (2021)

  • Introductory Motivational Interviewing for Helping Professionals - Change Talk Associates (2021)

  • Mental Health First Aid Facilitator Training  - Mental Health Commission of Canada (2017)

Work Experience

Post Graduate (2019-Current)

  • Clinical Counsellor and Clinic Owner - Chantelle Sands Therapy (formerly Fireweed Healing)

  • Trauma and Diversity Course Instructor - Justice Institute of British Columbia

  • Clinical Counsellor - Lu’ma Medical Centre Society

  • Educator/Instructor - Family and Community Counselling Program - Native Education College

  • Intern Counsellor - Ciel Community Counselling

Pre Graduate (2009-2019)

  • Community Mental Health Worker - Robins Pharmacy

  • ESL Teacher - Give a Heart to Africa

  • Youth Treatment/Recovery Worker - Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services

  • Child and Youth Government Care Worker - Residential Youth Treatment Services

  • Adult Inpatient Treatment Attendant - Alcohol and Drug Services

  • Summer/Day Camp Counsellor - Child and Adolescent Therapeutic Services

  • Recreation Coordinator - Skookum Jim Friendship Centre

  • Youth Employment Assistant - Skookum Jim Friendship Centre

  • Administrative Assistant - Alcohol and Drug Services

  • Youth Shelter Attendant - Alcohol and Drug Services

  • Intern Teacher Assistant - Individual Learning Centre & Kwanlin Dunn House of Learning

Get started with Chantelle today.