About Matty Devenish

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Hi, there. My name is Matty Devenish (MSW, RSW) and I'm a Vancouver-based Counsellor who offers individual, couples and family therapy.

I have been involved in the counselling field since 2006 and began my work in residential youth addiction services. I have worked with hundreds of individuals renegotiating their relationship to various problems in their lives. I have a strong belief that people come to therapy, often having been preoccupied by problems which are telling a troubling story of who they are, what their values are, and what the future holds. In a sense, I believe that problems steal the editorial rights to the story being told about people.

Through working together with many individuals in counselling, I have had the opportunity to learn about how many problems work in people’s lives and witnessed the change possible.   

Finding a counsellor that fits your style is never easy

I would encourage you to shop around and find both the individual therapist and model from which they practice that fits your personality and style.  Although my practice is influenced by many therapeutic models, I primarily offer an approach called Narrative Therapy.  The important thing to know about this therapeutic approach is that I will work from the perspective that you are not the problem, the problem is the problem (White, M).  We all have relationships to various problems, and through a journey of exploration with another person we get the chance to re-author that relationship and choose our preferred identities/ways of being in the world.  Often people consult me at the point in which problems are consuming their life and identity. I can assure you that this is quite normal and that there is hope; I have witnessed countless individuals find the space necessary from their problems to find freedom from them.   
Throughout my work I have had the opportunity to assist people working through:

  • Anxiety, depression, fear, guilt, shame, negative thoughts
  • Addiction/problematic substance use
  • Dis-ordered eating practices
  • Self-harm, suicidal thinking, and ‘obsessive’ thinking
  • Struggles with parenting, challenging behaviors with children and family/couples conflicts
  • Sexuality, gender identity, sexual orientation, homophobia and transphobia
  • Chronic homelessness, poverty, and systemic barriers
  • Trauma
  • Men's issues, anger and frustration
  • Grief and loss
Relevant Education

  • Masters of Social Work Degree, University of British Columbia
  • Bachelors of Social Work Degree, University of British Columbia
  • Advanced Training in Narrative Therapy, Vancouver School of Narrative Therapy
  • Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Individual, couples, and family sessions are available to fit your needs.
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