Get To Know Us
Maureen Smith, MSW, RCSW
Maureen Smith is a Registered Clinical Social Worker and Certified Imago Relationship Therapist with 15 years of experience in mental health and substance use counselling. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and both a Bachelor and Master of Social Work.
Her work is grounded in a simple conviction: each of us has the capacity to heal, and become more fully ourselves. Maureen brings that belief into every therapeutic relationship — meeting clients with curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to what is genuinely possible for them.
Since 2000, Maureen has studied and practiced within Buddhist and other Wisdom traditions, training under awakening teachers Qapel (Doug Duncan) and Sensei (Catherine Pawasarat) of PlanetDharma.com. Since 2005, she has lived and co-managed Clear Sky Retreat Center in British Columbia, where she also teaches and trains in contemplative practice. She is additionally trained as an MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) facilitator.
This integration of clinical training and deep contemplative practice shapes her approach to therapy — one that is relational, body-informed, and oriented toward genuine transformation rather than symptom management alone.
Maureen works with individuals and couples, and welcomes clients navigating:
- Anxiety, panic, and depression
- PTSD and trauma
- Grief and life transitions
- ADHD and self-esteem
- Addiction and substance use
- Relationship and intimacy concerns
- Non-monogamy and LGBTQIA2S+ affirming care
- Spiritual emergence and integral psychotherapy
She is honoured to accompany people on the path toward a more alive, aware, and meaningful life.
Dean Nicholson, MA, RCC
I am a therapist, educator, Buddhist meditation practitioner and teacher.
I have a Masters in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia and bring over 37 years of professional counselling experience in the mental health field to my therapy practice. Areas I have expertise in include childhood and adult trauma and PTSD, depression and anxiety, grief and loss, self-esteem, life changes, and substance use disorders and addiction.
My practice is holistic and client-centered and integrates a variety of cognitive-behavioural, emotion and body-focused therapeutic approaches to meet the individual needs of the people I serve. I work from a trauma informed perspective and incorporate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), mindfulness, spiritual wisdom tradition principles and nature therapy to develop a treatment plan that will work for you.
When we work together I guarantee I will be fully present and committed to supporting your growth. I promise to provide honest, direct, professional, supportive and non-judgmental focus and support.
I am based in Cranbrook, B.C. I provide in-person counselling services in Cranbrook and virtual counselling services across BC and Canada. I love to work with people who are committed to their growth and unfolding, drawing on my experience and training in meditation, counselling and the natural world to help people live richer lives of meaning, joy and purpose. Please contact me at dean@nullalivemindfully.ca to arrange a free 15 minute consultation to see if I can support your needs. Click here to book an appointment.
