Welcome
Hi, and welcome to Soleiya Counselling. My name is Serena Ewe (she/her), and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#20706), Canadian Certified Counsellor (#10006176), and an EMDR-trained therapist. I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from McGill University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia.
Counselling is deeply personal, and finding the right fit matters. I’m often described as kind, respectful, and perceptive – someone who brings warmth and quiet intentionality into the room. Therapy isn’t always easy; it asks us to be honest, to feel, and to sit with discomfort. I work with many brave individuals who seek meaningful change in their lives. If this speaks to you, it may be that you’re ready to take the next step forward.
The name Soleiya is born from many worlds -
Sol, from Latin and Romance languages, speaks of the Sun – a symbol of warmth, renewal, and clarity that brightens the path forward. Lei, in Hawaiian, is a garland offered in welcome - a gesture of care, belonging, and connection. In Hebrew, Leah carries the story of moving through weariness into peace, reminding us that healing often begins in the midst of struggle. In Portuguese and Galician, Leia means “to read,” symbolizing learning, growth, and the unfolding of personal stories. Iya, drawn from the Arabic name Sariya, evokes the quiet beauty of night clouds, the softness of shade, and the gentleness of protection in darkness. Together, they hold a balance – light and shadow, day and night, insight and rest. Soleiya is a place where you are welcomed as you are, to explore the bright and shadowed parts of your story, and to find your own path to healing and growth. Here, we believe that light doesn’t erase darkness – it lives alongside it, and both can be beautiful.
Two sides of a coin.
My Approach
My work is integrative, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and LGBTQ+ affirming. I blend mindfulness, body-centered practices, psychoeducation, and insight-oriented exploration, and often weave in metaphors and imagery as tools to make difficult experiences easier to understand and to open up new perspectives.
As a whole, I draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and will always tailor my therapeutic approach to your needs.
At present, I primarily use EMDR to help clients process trauma histories and shift patterns that no longer serve them. EMDR is a powerful yet compassionate, self-paced, and non-pathologizing approach that facilitates healing by helping clients integrate painful experiences and build on their inner strengths.
I support individuals facing a wide range of challenges, including – but not limited to:
Anxiety, phobias, and depression
Stress, burnout, and workplace challenges
Trauma – including childhood abuse or neglect, difficult relationship experiences, and trauma from loss or sudden life changes
Grief and loss
Life transitions – such as career changes, relationship shifts, or relocation
Identity exploration – examples being cultural assimilation, self-esteem, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome
Relationships of all kinds, with a keen focus on romantic partnerships, attachment, and communication styles
Spiritual or existential questions
Emotional wellbeing – encompassing boundaries, assertiveness, self-compassion, and resilience
Personal growth and self-discovery
