Xiva Taverna,
RTC

I believe that change begins when we learn to listen to that deep inner knowing, the quiet wisdom that recognizes when we are misaligned with who we are meant to be.

My own path into counselling was shaped by a profound personal turning point. After leaving Brazil and stepping away from a career I had built alongside my brother, I followed an intuitive pull to start a new life in Canada. At the time, I didn’t have a clear plan, only a deep inner knowing that something had to change. The business I started here ultimately failed, but through that unraveling, I found something far more meaningful, myself.

By looking closely at my upbringing, my relational patterns, and the ways I had learned to protect myself, I began to cultivate self-compassion and forgiveness. I learned to soften toward parts of me that once felt unacceptable or shameful. That inner shift changed everything. My marriage deepened and became less about fear and more about fully choosing one another. My friendships grew more authentic and supportive. I learned how to show up for my children with presence and attunement, without needing to control or change them.

Perhaps most importantly, I learned that vulnerability is not weakness, it is courage. Opening my heart still sometimes feels terrifying, but I have discovered that meaningful connection, purpose, and healing live on the other side of that fear.

Today, this lived experience deeply informs my work as a counsellor.

I specialize in working with men, women, and couples who feel overwhelmed by pressure, shame, or disconnection, people who may look like they are managing on the outside but feel lost, anxious, or emotionally distant on the inside. Many of my clients are navigating major life transitions, relationship strain, identity shifts, or the quiet exhaustion of trying to hold everything together.

My approach is compassionate, relational, and experiential. I draw from evidence-based modalities such as Internal Family Systems and Emotion Focused Therapy, while also honoring the emotional and spiritual dimensions of healing. Together, we work at a pace that feels safe and respectful, helping you build a more compassionate relationship with yourself, reconnect with your emotions, and create deeper, more secure connections with the people you love.

I do not see therapy as fixing what is broken. I see it as helping you reconnect with and reclaim parts of yourself that were once rejected. Healing is a return to wholeness.

If you are feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsure of your next step, you do not have to walk that path alone. I would be honored to support you in creating a life rooted in authenticity, connection, and meaning.

About My Work

    • Anxiety

    • Codependency

    • Divorce

    • Family Conflict

    • Grief

    • Infidelity

    • Life Transitions

    • Men’s Issues

    • Relationship Issues

    • Self-Esteem

    • Spirituality

    • Stress

    • Compassion Focused

    • Emotionally Focused

    • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

    • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

    • Trauma Focused

    • Individual Counselling

      • In Person

      • Virtual

    • Couples Counselling

      • In Person

      • Virtual

    • Adults 18+

    • Downtown Vancouver

  • At this time, I am unable to directly bill to insurance providers.