Edel Walsh

Registered Professional Counsellor and Coach

I grew up with the relationships of previous generations as my role models. Like many people, I tried creating successful relationships doing what my family did. But it never worked out.

I hit every point along the spectrum of relationships! I tried dating. Then having a boyfriend. Then getting engaged. And then getting married.

And, of course, because none of these worked for me, I then got separated and divorced! My daily headline could have read, “Desperately Seeking The One!”

The First Step Toward Change is Awareness.
As a director and acting coach, I was very effective in helping others to break through their limiting beliefs and to start living the life of their dreams. But I needed professional help of my own to become aware of what I was doing that kept me stuck, to overcome my own self-limiting beliefs, and to break free from repeatedly unsuccessful relationship patterns.

I launched myself into finding relationship principles, skills, and models that created the relationships I wanted. This inspired me to train as both a professional counsellor and coach in order to help others experience relationships in a new and healing way—as dynamic and passionate playgrounds for healing, growth, and love.

As a Registered Professional Counsellor (#2115) and a Certified Trainer of Coaches and Counsellors (Rhodes Wellness College, Vancouver, Canada), I have taught and facilitated group trainings for the past five years to over 130 counsellors and coaches in addition to counseling clients. I assist people in “showing up 100%” across the spectrum of relationships—with partners, ex-partners, children and siblings, parents, family, colleagues and associates! In addition, I have unique experience in helping partners parent together even if they decide not to stay together.

How I Work:

With my training in Applied Transpersonal Counselling Psychology, I work by

• helping you focus on ‘self’ rather than “other”
• developing clarity regarding life-, love-, and relationship-patterns that are impeding your personal growth
• promoting mindfulness to successfully navigate life’s challenges
• teaching skills that manage anxiety in the face of distressing circumstances (e.g. separation, grief, loss, trauma) and to uncover the purpose and/or gifts that may underlie these distressing times
• encouraging compassion and curiosity about who you are and what you are doing in your relationships and working with you to change problematic behaviours

As both a coach and a counselor, I work with clients on two levels of change:

• Life Skills and Behavior Change (Coaching)
• undoing dependence on substances, activities, relationships and behaviours that bind you with anxiety and problems
• learning healthy relationship and communication skills
• following through on commitments to self-development
• Correcting Core Beliefs (Counselling)
• looking at the bigger picture of your life:  investigating the larger context for the beliefs that create destructive behaviours 
• understanding and re-framing the mistaken perceptions you may have of yourself or others which block love and passion in your life
• knowing your purpose in life and living it!

My Approach

My counseling and coaching approaches integrate physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness. Utilizing my training in breathing, voice and the human body as an acting coach and instructor, I can teach you how to successfully use the connection between body and mind to investigate where tension and anxiety are held in the body (physical). Together we work on the full expression of feelings (emotional) that are held in the body by this tension and investigate beliefs that generate this anxiety (mental). Finally, we look at your life purpose, goals, and reason for being here (spiritual).

I have helped hundreds of people successfully change their most entrenched behaviours--from addictions to depression—and to experience purpose and joy in their life. 

In addition, I have counseled families dealing with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (having been through this process myself). 

I am deeply committed to healing that is based on profound and lasting change. I encourage people to live a life of peace instead of anxiety, joy instead of sadness, and passion instead of pain!

As a Clinical Associate with Diane Anderson,
I continue to develop and deepen my skills and training. I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree and maintain supervision as a counselor, coach, and facilitator. I am a proud member of:

• Canadian Professional Counsellors’ Association (#2115)
• Canadian Alliance of Life Skills Coaches Associations
• Union of BC Performers

I can help you gain the necessary insight into changing the relationship patterns and behaviours that keep you stuck. Together we can develop a systemized plan of action for making the changes you (and your partner) want in your relationship.

I know how hard it can seem to make change, but I also know change can be made at any level! If you crave the passion and joy that comes from living a life with full rich relationships, call today! We can set up a free 10-minute phone consultation, with no obligation. Together we can begin creating the changes you want.

Location

I work from my office in Vancouver’s West End, Tuesdays to Fridays, with some evening and weekend appointments available.

Please call 778-292-0260, or email our Office Administrator at info@DianeAndersonCounselling.com to arrange a phone consultation at your convenience.

Here’s what previous clients, group participants, and students have had to say* about working with me:

If you want to spend all your time and money chatting with a counsellor who agrees with everything you have to say, then look elsewhere. If you want to get better and want to learn how to take charge of your life again, then read on.

Edel…has a dogged willingness to glean everything about you that you both think matters. Combine that with an open-mindedness to accept and respect anything that she discovers along the way and an intuitive quality that defies description and you've just had a session with Edel.

Edel is as tender and sweet as she is tenacious. Sessions always end on a positive note!

E. B.,
Vancouver, BC

~~

My experience with Edel has been great. Edel was my instructor in coaching and my counsellor when I needed her. She was always so compassionate and it was always people first and task second. She always made sure not to accept anything less from me and that in itself, sometimes even without words, gave me the courage to take on tasks that were terrifying for me.

In the end, I was left with so much that words cannot express what I was feeling. I know I felt so much pride, joy and exhilaration whenever I overcame barriers and boy did I ever have a lot.

As much as I wanted to run away, Edel made it safe to look and face my fears.  She made my learning experience fun and challenging. I am sure that whoever has the opportunity to learn from her will have the ultimate in any teaching or counselling capacity that she has to offer.

Take it from me!!  I am at my best and working in a field that was and is now my dream job. Who would have known. I know she did. 

Thank you so much Edel.

F. G.,
Vancouver, BC

~~

Edel Walsh was instrumental in helping me return to school and be successful in both my personal, academic and professional growth. Edel had a firm, yet gentle approach where she could see the potential within me and helped to bring it out for me to believe in myself, my confidence and abilities and to shine to the world.

Edel never gave up on me or others in my program; she always persevered through many challenging moments. Her dedication and passion for her clients/students to help push them to new frontiers in their lives is remarkable. She is skilled at finding the best in a person and nurturing their qualities to set people on amazing journeys to overcome all obstacles.

Edel is a guiding light which was like a compass to me in difficult times. I am eternally grateful for Edel as my teacher, my mentor, my counsellor........thank you Edel for enriching my life.

Nadine F.,
Vancouver, BC

~~

When I first met Edel, I thought I had myself all figured out. She helped me see where I wasn't being honest with myself, and always gave me the straight goods. She saw my potential, and never gave up on me. She will shadow your willingness to work on yourself with attentiveness, honesty and skill. She is truly an inspiration and is in a large part responsible for the wonderful person I am today.

Thomas. B.,
Vancouver, BC

~~

A brilliant Coach! I couldn't have made it through one of the most difficult times if it weren't for Edel's compassion, directness and love.  Thanks for giving me the space to grieve my father’s death. You hold a VERY special space in my heart.

Sara M.,
Life Skills Instructor
Vancouver, BC

~~

For Those Whose Interests Are At Stake,

I truly believe Edel Walsh made a huge difference in my life…I believe the way she coaches/teaches gives man or woman the opportunity to learn what they need to learn. She brings calm and safety to all her clients, she is a very balanced and through in her duties to have her clients understand.

I must admit her most admirable quality is to stay the course. She is very loyal, kind and fits in most situations. Quick on her feet to establish what is important to the individual.

Eric H.
Vancouver, BC

Edel,

I took on board a lot of what you said and my partner and I have worked out a lot of things, which is great.  I have pulled back as I think I was making him feel small in the relationship. He has really opened up and I am learning to just be 50/50 in the relationship and have started to mind myself a lot more.

I take the time out and say [to myself], “Check in time!   What are you doing?  How am I feeling?”  etc., and not taking too much on board that I shouldn’t anymore.

I’m very aware of myself now.  One of the biggest things that I really am watching myself on is the collusion and triangling. Wow, have I really noticed how easily I did it and how I’m stopping myself now. How I never liked it but at the same time fell into doing it. Especially with the group of people I work with. I brought it up at a meeting and lo and behold we have all stopped!!!!!

Annette H.,
Dublin, Ireland,

*Client Testimonials for Edel Walsh, RPC
All client testimonials are used subject to the review and approval of the client and with their express permission.

(Client testimonials permitted only for www.DianeAndersonCounselling.com. No publication or use of testimonials without written permission from Edel Walsh, RPC and Diane Anderson, RCC.)

Diane Anderson & Associates — Counsellors
Serving: Greater Vancouver, Surrey, South Surrey,
White Rock, Langley, Cloverdale, Fraser Valley, and Tsawwassen, British Columbia as well as Blaine,
Bellingham, and Seattle, Washington.