Andrew Vanderstoop BA, BEd, MSW, RSW he/him/his
"Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home." - Matsuo Basho
Andrew Vanderstoop (Andy) understands that when human beings experience trauma or severe life stressors, it is not uncommon for their lives to unravel.
Andy is a Master Social Worker / Registered Social Worker with additional training and experience with CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, Unified Protocol, Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, all performed through a trauma-informed lens. Additionally, Andy has experience supporting folks with addictions, first responders, navigating the medical system, the school system and specific populations like Seniors, Veterans, 2SLGBTQQIA+, Youth and Adolescents. Family counselling as well as Couple's counselling also an option!
Andy also holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. He's received certification in the area of special education, has taught in the classroom and helped his own neurodiverse adoptive kids navigate the system. Andy knows the healing power of humour as well, and strives to make a welcoming safe space for all. "Sometimes the only sense you can make out of life is a sense of humour..." was once told to him! He holds this value close and is willing to laugh with you, cry and empower your experience through your journey.
Together, Andy and his clients create a collaborative partnership to mend the holes, created by the "unraveling process". Using anti-oppressive frameworks for his practice, Andy will leverage supports and attempt to strengthen your connection to the community around you while understanding any intersectionalities from a client-centred approach.
As part of the 2SLGBTQQIA+, Andy feels capable of having informed discussions with folks around topics relevant to the community. Counselling around sexual orientation, gender preference, supporting someone in your family who is "LGBT", questions, resource hunting, supporting expression and healthy identity; whatever you need, Transitions Counselling Service is a SAFE SPACE for all. Andy also feels supported by his colleagues who strive to maintain positive space as well.