About Shireen
Principles and Perspective
I am dedicated to helping create a world where people are liberated, joyful, interconnected, and at peace.
I grew up in a multigenerational home with mixed ancestry from Iran and Europe, in small cities on occupied Indigenous lands. My family and loved ones have been impacted by migration, forced displacement, state violence, and repression, and taught me to work towards justice and freedom from oppression for all people. I hold those teachings at the heart of how I try to live my life.
The lens I work from is anchored in principles of anti-oppression, feminism, Indigenous sovereignty, expansive notions of gender and sexuality, internationalism, collectivism and beyond all else - wishes of Liberation.
Movement and body-awareness has always been a foundational part of my life, through dance, sports, martial arts (capoeira) and being in nature. I have practiced Vipassana meditation and capoeira for over 13 years. As a result, body awareness, movement and mindfulness is also at the core of my counselling approach.
Professional Experience
I have over 12 years of experience working with adults and youth who have experienced a vast variety of life challenges, including inter-relational conflict, anxiety and depression, grief and loss, life transitions, trauma from injustice, discrimination and/or violence, deeply engrained habits or addictions, emotional processing, and more.
Aside from offering private counselling services, I also practice as a Social Worker in a Community Urgent Care Clinic, where I have worked for over five years. This work allows me to see an enormous spectrum of community members who need urgent socio-economic and mental health support, or assistance in navigating systems that are difficult or have even caused harm.
I have also worked with youth for several years as a clinical counsellor, outreach worker, workshop facilitator and newcomer settlement worker.
Some counselling-related groups I have co-facilitated for youth and adults include:
Expressive Arts and Wellness
Improv for Mental Health
Monthly Wellness Group for Healthcare Workers
Grief and Loss
Migrant Youth Groups
Mental Health Workshop Series for Indigenous Youth
Trauma-Informed Care
Educational Background
I've had the privilege of attending various levels of schooling in multiple countries, including Canada, Uganda, Turkey, Portugal, Sweden, Norway and France, which shaped my perspective on all the beautiful ways we can live.
REGISTRATIONS
Organizational registrations & memberships.
Registered Social Worker #14053 - BC College of Social Workers
Registered Social Worker - BC Association of Social Workers
Registered Services Mental Health Provider - First Nations Health Authority
Member - The International Focusing Institute
DEGREES & CERTIFICATIONS
Credentials from accredited institutions & intensive trainings.
Bachelors of Arts - McGill University, Canada
Double Major in International Development and Political Science, Minor in Middle Eastern Languages (Farsi & Turkish)
Masters of Social Work with Families and Children - Erasmus Mundus International Program
(Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Uganda)
Dance/Movement Therapy for the Adult Developmental Journey - The Movement Arc, Dance Therapy and Somatic Education
Focusing-Oriented Therapy Training Certification (Ongoing) - Instructor, Donna Steadman
ONGOING EDUCATION & COURSES
SAN'YAS Indigenous Cultural Safety Training - PHSA BC
Addiction Care and Treatment Course - BC Centre of Substance Use, UBC Cont'd Ed
LGBTQ2SA+ Inclusion Training - QMUNITY, VCH
Challenging Behaviours in Youth Certificate - Crisis and Trauma Institute
Trauma Informed Relationships Certificate - St Elizabeth First Nations, Inuit & Métis Program
© 2026 Shireen Soofi Counselling. All rights reserved.
Situated on the unceded traditional territories of the Kwikwetlem, Musqueam, Squamish, Stó:lō and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.
Learn about Land Back and the territory you're on at Native-Land.ca
