Hey, I'm Chaylane, but most people call me Chay. I’m a counselor with a deep passion for mental health, I honestly feel this path chose me.

My Path To Counselling

At 16, I lost my dad to murder, and everything changed. I became a second mom to my younger sisters while navigating my own grief.

I became a mom early in life at 18, and was raising him on my own by 20. I started working at an OATS clinic as a receptionist just looking for a job, but I stayed because I saw people fighting to heal and I knew that fight well. I began holding space and offering support long before I had formal training. Eventually, I earned my diploma in Addictions Counseling, where I built on my lived experience with skills in substance abuse counseling, harm reduction, crisis intervention, and community outreach. This expanded quickly into working with families, couples and individuals in many different areas of mental health, and I’m thankful every day this is the path my life took.

My Approach To Therapy

I bring a blend of heartfelt empathy and practical knowledge to my work, shaped by my own journey through grief, early parenthood, and recovery. My approach is person-centered for individuals, emotionally focused for couples, and narrative-based for families because every story matters.

I hope every client leaves feeling seen, supported, and more connected to who they truly are. My ideal client is someone carrying heavy pain or feeling stuck whether it’s grief, addiction, family struggles, or mental health challenges. Someone who wants compassionate, non-judgmental support to build resilience and reclaim their sense of self.

  • I refused to eat any type of condiment. At All. Repulsed by them.

  • When I’m not working, I’m part of a blended family with my partner, my son, his daughter, and our four furry companions, two dogs and two cats, all with human names, of course.

  • My favorite scent is pine. It's fresh, calming, and grounding like a breath of forest air. I keep it simple with drinks like cold milk or tap water.

  • Bakes Spaghetti….. I’m drooling just typing this.

  • I find calm in the color dark navy blue, it can be professional when wearing, versatile when decorating, and just overall soothing.

  • One of my pet peeves is when laundry gets washed but then sits forgotten in the washer instead of being moved to the dryer, that drives me a little crazy!

  • My current pump-up jams include “Love Somebody” by Morgan Wallen and duets with my son to “Somebody Save Me” by Jelly Roll and Eminem.

  • When someone says, “Have a good day,” I always say, “No, you!” Because every day is good, even with its ups and downs, and I want to wish that to everyone.