About Valhalla Therapy's Therapy and Counselling Approach

Welcome to Valhalla Therapy. I am Carla Duda, Valhalla Therapy's principal therapist and registered clinical counsellor. I practice both online and in-person in Nelson, BC. I am married and I have 3 sons. I am the author of the book The Art & Practice of Responsibility: Improve Relationships, Create Meaning, Foster Well-Being, available here.

I have chosen existential-humanism as my base for therapy because it speaks to what I believe matters so vitally: seeking truth and living a life of meaning in our finite time on earth. Often my therapy is dedicated to the examination and action required so that one can live a life more aligned with authenticity and right choice in the freedom-responsibility continuum. My work as both a therapist and certified brain health professional takes into account four areas of human well-being: physical/biological, emotional-psychological, social, and spiritual. In my life, I am committed to the search, to the importance of having patience with the process, to embracing reason, mystery, and faith, and to approaching discomfort and challenge to create greater strength. I am also committed to understanding emotion not only experientially but through a rational, sense-making lens because we make better choices for our present and future selves when are deliberative, contemplative, and consider clearly the impacts of our choices.

Growth in therapy is a psychological-emotional-behavioural process. If one sustains the work, moving toward and then into discomfort, it can lead to change. Working with a client's presenting symptoms, thoughts, challenges, feelings, and concerns, I support clients to develop a deeper understanding of what is happening, and what they want to change. The essence of my work is to help clients harness their ability to grow through deep examination and to making more responsible choices. As an existential therapist, my work is relational, reasoned, caring, and based in accountability that respects each human as capable of making both meaning and change in skilful response to life.

I hold a Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology, a Bachelor's Degree Majoring in Literature and Minoring in Counselling and Human Development, a Certificate in Life Coaching, a Certificate in Complicated Grief Therapy, a Certificate in Internal Family Systems Therapy and a Certificate as a Brain Health Professional. In addition I have completed numerous adjunct trainings in trauma, loss, and substance use/dependencies.

I also take great solace in and joy from my faith and time spent in nature. Whenever possible I am in the mountains, lakes, rivers, and oceans.