● Working with me
Sarah Tesla, M.A., RCC, CCC
My approach is informed by clinical training and my background as a journalist and documentarian, with experience in healthcare and disaster deployment. I've worked in environments shaped by conflict, social justice issues, and institutional bureaucracies — and along the way, witnessed remarkable resilience that continues to inform how I understand strength and recovery.
Combined, these experiences have shaped my appreciation for the cultural nuances, competing pressures, and deeply held values that guide frontline work — as well as the sacrifices it often requires.
As a white, cis woman who has worked internationally, I continue to reflect on the unearned advantages of my Canadian passport — and on what Peggy McIntosh calls the "invisible knapsack," the privileges that let me move through the world, including global travel, with a freedom many don't share.
This shapes my work directly: I support clients not only in processing what they've witnessed, but also in examining their own positions of privilege and power, and how that shapes their work and relationships in the field.
● My approach
What Therapy Looks Like
My approach is relational, culturally informed, and grounded in trauma-aware practices. Sessions often include:
Making sense of your stress responses
Processing traumatic experiences at a pace that feels safe
Exploring moral distress and value conflicts
Rebuilding a sense of agency and internal steadiness
Strengthening your nervous system’s capacity to regulate
Creating sustainable strategies for your work and relationships
Navigating the transition between fieldwork, deployments, or shifts and home life
You don’t need to have all the right words. We start with what feels most present and move slowly, with care.
Signs You Might Need Support
Therapy may be helpful if you’re noticing:
Difficulty winding down or persistent hypervigilance
Irritability, emotional overload, or numbness
Trouble sleeping or recurring intrusive thoughts
Feeling disconnected from loved ones
Questioning your purpose, values, or role
Exhaustion or burnout that doesn’t resolve with rest
A growing sense of moral injury — “I saw/experienced something that violated my values”
Experiencing these signs doesn’t mean you’re not capable — it means your system is signalling that it’s time to tend to the impact of what you’ve been carrying.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality and discretion are essential, particularly for those working in public-facing, high-stakes, or security-sensitive roles. At the start of our work, I’ll walk you through the legal and ethical boundaries of confidentiality so you can feel informed and supported.
If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm we will work together to create a safety plan which will incorporate culturally sensitive resources.
Availability
I am based in British Columbia, Canada (+PST) and see clients Monday - Thursdays. I am happy to accommodate various time zones and do my best to work flexibly with your changing schedule and travel needs.
There are times during the year that I work abroad and continue to see clients, but what might with reduced availability. I provide my clients with ample notice to any adjusts to my schedule.
Working Together
All sessions are held virtually, making support accessible whether you’re in the field, travelling, or returned home.
Therapy is an opportunity to show up as your whole self, not just the part that gets the job done. We work collaboratively to honour your experiences, strengthen your internal resources, and support the next steps in your personal or professional life.
Rates
Sessions are 60-minutes, $165 CAD
I practice as an approved therapist within the CIC Wellbeing global provider network.
If you are employed in Canada and have benefits, I recommend checking to see if your plan includes Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) or Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). I do not provide direct billing, but you can submit receipts to your insurance company for reimbursement.
● An unconventional path
My Story
As a young person I studied journalism and worked as a cub reporter at a daily newspaper before moving into freelance work. Curios and idealistic this led me into communication and production roles, working throughout Canada and the United States.
But I eventually returned to my passion: documentary photography. I packed my life into a storage locker and with pink hair and a camera set out to challenge propagandized images of life in Southwest Asia and North Africa. So I went to Iran, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Israel and Sierra Leone.