Xiva Taverna
ABOUT US
Xiva Taverna
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor | EMDR Trained Practitioner
EFT - Emotion Focused Couples Trained
- Experienced counselling therapist specializing in childhood trauma and toxic shame
- Personal journey from emotional numbness to deep connection and fulfillment
- Overcame profound personal crisis, leading to a path of healing and self-discovery
- Passionate about helping others:
- Recover from childhood trauma
- Overcome toxic shame
- Live a meaningful life
- Feel more connected to themselves and others
- Understands the challenges of:
- Growing up in dysfunctional homes
- Building meaningful relationships
- Overcoming the belief “I’m not good enough”
- Provides a non-judgmental, compassionate atmosphere for clients to:
- Explore their inner world safely
- Gain clarity on how past experiences affect present life
- Move from reacting to life to acting purposefully
- Committed to guiding clients on their journey of self-discovery and healing
- Believes in the power of reconnecting with one’s inner child for grounding and gratitude
- Living proof that with the right help, profound personal change is possible
Andressa Taverna
ABOUT US
Andressa Taverna
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor | EMDR Trained Practitioner
EFT - Emotion Focused Couples Trained
You may feel that there’s something off, yet you can’t pinpoint precisely what. Perhaps you feel disconnected from the world and from your truth.
“Am I doing enough? Am I doing life the right way?”
The trouble is that overwhelming feelings can make it even harder to open up and trust friends, loved ones and even therapists—right when we need connection most.
Being human can get complicated sometimes, and there is nothing wrong with how you feel. What’s more important is you know that you’re tired of feeling like this and deep down, you trust that there is a better way and that you are worthy of that.
Hi, I am Andressa Taverna.
Being a trauma survivor has moulded me and impacted my life in many obvious and also many mysterious ways.
Numbing out and dissociating has helped me bear the trauma, but burying it deep and pretending it didn’t exist never really worked.
It was only when I started looking at it and inviting my demons to come forward, to speak up, to scream out their rage, that what I saw behind it was pain. Eventually, I saw that they were not demons after all, but my inner child.
It has taken me lots of therapy, many different medicines, so much pain and many many crashes and falls for me to turn down the numbing, the denial, the self-blaming and the huge shaming, and put all that into my forgiving journey, which can only start with self-forgiving.
When I connected with my inner child and received adequate support, I could then understand and separate who I really was and what was just the effects of the trauma. When I started feeling like my true self, I could also begin dreaming and choosing how I wanted to move forward. Today, I feel honoured to hold space for people that have hurt, too, even if it’s not the same pain (no pain is the same, after all).
As a Registered Wellness and Therapeutic Counsellor with the ACCT—Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada—I support clients like yourself towards deep acceptance and the radical inclusion of all the parts of who you are. I offer to help you explore your inner world and to move towards spaciousness, integration and joy.
I work with many people who are struggling with anxiety, depression, childhood trauma/PTSD through the use of trauma-informed, somatic based IFS (Internal Family Systems). I abide by a non-judgmental and compassionate framework, and I can assist you individually or in a couples/relationship setting. I also have a background as a Doula and Life Coach and I draw on these aspects in my clinical work.
If you are ready to step out of the pain, I would be honoured to hold your story and help you to find peace and safety with your truth as a person.
Why Choose
Terra Counselling?
We believe therapy should be:
Understanding Your Needs
We begin by listening closely to your story and understanding your unique needs. This initial step allows us to tailor therapy to your specific goals, challenges, and circumstances, ensuring you feel heard and supported from the very start.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on your individual needs, we create a customized treatment plan using evidence-based therapies like IFS (Internal Family System) Therapy, EMDR, and Somatic practices. Our goal is to address the root causes of your concerns, fostering long-term healing and personal growth.
Ongoing Support & Growth
As you progress, we offer continuous support and guidance, helping you navigate challenges and celebrate milestones. Therapy at Terra Counselling is an evolving journey, where we adjust our approach as needed to help you achieve lasting change.
