About Us
Our Committment
We believe in holistic healing that takes into consideration the entire person - physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
Our Counselling Approach
We believe that counseling is a pathway of essential possibilities. We believe everyone needs unconditional acceptance, respect, and empathy to grow and heal.
Our Mission
Island of Hope Counselling Services provides professional therapy for a wide range of mental health and wellness concerns. Island of Hope Counselling Services was founded in 2011 after, owner Danielle Lambrecht left a long career in Mental Health and Addictions Services.
About the Owner
Danielle Lambrecht Is a registered social worker, counsellor, & Clinical Hypnotherapist
Danielle Lambrecht Is a registered social worker, counsellor, & Clinical Hypnotherapist
Danielle Lambrecht Is a registered social worker, counsellor, & Clinical Hypnotherapist
Where was Danielle born?
Danielle was born in Hawaii and many of her ancestors were from Molokai, the Big Island and Kauai. Danielle believes she received her intuitive abilities from her Hawaiian lineage. Historically, Danielle's ancestors were struck with leprosy and exiled to Molokai because there was no cure. The results were her Ohana were split up, siblings were removed from their parents, some went to orphanages and some died on Molokai. Danielle believes her DNA carries this intergenerational trauma.
See note on ancestral memory of the hula/indigenous identity and land-based is one and the same: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_ScqTZuhPE
Intuitive Empath and Clinical Counsellor
Danielle is also an intuitive Empath. Through her clinical practice and over 25 years of working with clients in the mental health and addictions field, unbeknownst to Danielle she was refining her natural intuition. If asked, Danielle would be honoured to utilize her intuitive abilities to address the issues that bring you to see her.
Danielle combines her post-secondary education in conventional counselling therapies (EMDR, Somatic, Clinical Hypnotherapy, DBT, CBT, and EFT) along with her intuitive abilities to assist clients to resolve symptoms of complex/developmental post-traumatic stress disorder associated with childhood trauma.
She also works to resolve secondary issues often associated with PTSD such as depression, anxiety, addictions, grief and relational difficulties. She pinpoints stubborn, destructive behaviors, negative core believes, low self-esteem, and self-injury. She understands that clients with extensive trauma can struggle with attachment disturbances, maladaptive defensive strategies, personality ruptures and relationships issues across the lifespan.
Survivor
Danielle is a survivor of childhood abuse, abandonment and neglect from parental alcoholism. Danielle had a difficult entry into the world when she lost her Hawaiian father at eight months old. She moved to Canada and in doing so, she lost her culture and her heritage. She grew up with an alcoholic mother who learned to just "survive" her own traumas through a long history of alcoholism. Danielle did not learn much needed life coping strategies and found herself in a series of dysfunctional and codependent relationships. Danielle's first experience of healing was attending Al-anon, and Adult Children of Alcoholics groups at the age of 21. Throughout her life, Danielle has eagerly learned and participated in different western and alternative ways to heal.
On April 18, 2020, Danielle lost her beloved youngest daughter at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. After spending years working through her own developmental trauma, depression, and anxiety she was faced with complicated bereavement. Danielle knows losing her daughter, is not something she will overcome, but something she tries to live and tenderly sit by, with self-compassion, and acceptance; in honour of her daughter's life and contributions while on Earth.
Danielle Lambrecht Is a registered social worker, counsellor, & Clinical Hypnotherapist
Danielle Lambrecht Is a registered social worker, counsellor, & Clinical Hypnotherapist
Her Ketamine Experience
Danielle has worked with many healing modalities and found not only significant breakthroughs, but also deep awakening experiences. In March 2022, Danielle was a participant in a Ketamine assisted therapy to face her darkest human struggle, and that was losing her dearly loved child. She learned that integrating spiritual experiences after Ketamine sits, combined with support of a professional community of practice, that Danielle is connected to all living things; those on the other side of the veil, to Mother Earth, the Universe, and to the Creator.
Danielle understands now that all humans suffer, however, some in this lifetime may have more. It is in her personal suffering along with nā'-ă'u, she learned some valuable spiritual lessons, she would like to share:
- loving yourself first, means you know how to love others as well
- control is an illusion; letting go and surrendering is real
- accept change because it will happen anyways
- challenge your fears, because inside them are your lessons
- trust that you have enough, and trust you are enough
- forgiveness sets you free, and all that matters
- life purpose is about serving people in some way
- nothing is forever, so embrace NOW
- we are more than our bodies and our minds, we are spiritual essences
- death is not the end, it is the beginning of something new
- we are One, we make look and act different, inside we are the same
- there is energy in all living things
Is Danielle a Therapist for you?
Danielle and you are a good match ...if you are a person who is in search for healing yourself with someone who self identifies as an empath and a survivor of childhood trauma. If you are suffering with mental health and addictions issues and want to be heard by someone who has gone through many of the issues you are experiencing. If you are looking for a safe space, held by a non-judgmental professional who believes in your strength and resiliency.
If you have a familial lineage that has suffered generational trauma and you are looking to change familial patterns for yourself and next generations to follow you. If you have lost a child and are of need to not only deal with your grief and loss but to know your therapist has experienced a similar loss and gets you. If you believe your suffering on Earth has more meaning and is associated with you learning different life lessons. If you are wanting more than just surviving your life, but looking to thrive by developing ways to promote post traumatic growth (growing from suffering).
Welcome Dianna Lee to the island of hope counselling service
Dianna Lee Graves
B.A.(Psych), M.A.Ed.
· Certified Life Coach.
· PSYCH-K® (Psychological Kinesiology) Master facilitator.
· Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT tapping) Trained.
· Somatic Therapy (mind-body connection) Practitioner.
Dianna is a Somatic Therapy Practitioner and Self Empowerment Coach specializing in supporting women who are Highly Sensitive and feeling unhappy and stuck in their life. Many struggle to assert their needs, often finding themselves trapped in the cycle of people-pleasing, reluctantly saying “Yes” when they truly mean “No”. Now they are ready to understand and change this pattern and habit. They are eager to learn their personal truth, find their authentic self, and recognize their value as they become empowered in their body, mind, and spirit.
Who is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
A person who is born with a personality trait that perceives nearly everything with heightened intensity compared to the average individual. This trait is a natural aspect of their brain's information processing. Research suggests that up to 20% of the population, both women and men, fall into this category. While many HSPs tend to be introverted, not all are.
This trait often shows up as:
· being easily overwhelmed with bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or loud noises (such as sirens), and violent tv shows.
· the need to withdraw with extended privacy to unwind from busy days.
· Being easily rattled and overstimulated when faced with too many tasks and so they arrange their life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations and people.
· Seen by others as sensitive and shy however have an enhanced ability to be emotionally responsive and empathetic with those around them.
· Have a rich, deep, and complex inner life that is sensitive to subtleties and notice details around them such as delicate scents, tastes, sounds, and beauty in art as well as the world.
What is a People-Pleaser behaviour?
A person who has the habit of putting others needs ahead of their own. They are highly attuned to others and often seen as agreeable, helpful, and kind, but people-pleasers can also have trouble advocating for themselves, which can lead to a harmful pattern of self-sacrifice or self-neglect. They often have trouble asserting their boundaries and likely have unresolved childhood wounds and scars.
Why might an HSP resort to people-pleasing?
It's not a conscious decision but rather a behavior that evolves out of necessity. The heightened sensitivity of HSP’s can make them keenly aware of others' needs and emotions, leading them to prioritize others' well-being over their own. Consequently, they may resort to people-pleasing behaviors to maintain harmony and avoid confrontation, often at the expense of neglecting their own needs. To manage overwhelm they may people-please as a coping mechanism to reduce stress and maintain a sense of control in social situations.
How can Dianna help?
Dianna helps women understand their HSP traits, both the challenges and strengths, along with breaking the habit and pattern of people-pleasing.
Although initially seeming beneficial for maintaining relationships, prioritizing others' needs can lead to feelings of resentment, burnout, and unfulfillment if personal needs consistently take a backseat.
Using the somatic (mind-body) modalities of PSYCH-K®, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and energy psychology, Dianna gently guides you to uncover your true self and understand factors shaping your life. She teaches mindset psychology, illustrating how beliefs, thoughts, and behaviours influence your experiences.
Through trauma informed practice and care she facilitates a healing journey from self-limiting beliefs (i.e.: ”I am unworthy, not good enough, need to be perfect”) to affirming beliefs of self-love, acceptance, and the right to live your life in your own way. Through coaching she empowers you to recognize your strengths enabling you to make the changes necessary to lead a fulfilling life aligned with your own desires.
Who is Dianna?
Dianna is deeply committed to helping women unravel the mystery of why their lives lack fulfillment, despite following the societal "script" they were taught would lead to happiness. She has a passion for psychology and guiding individuals to unravel the complexities of their identity, while supporting them in overcoming limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging behaviors stemming from both major and minor traumas.
Her guidance and teachings are rooted in her personal journey of healing and self-discovery. Raised by parents struggling with mental health issues, Dianna experienced a disrupted childhood marked by frequent moves which challenged her sense of stability yet instilled in her a resilient spirit and a belief in her ability to adapt to any circumstance.
At the age of 23 when she was given the book "Adult Children of Alcoholics" it resonated deeply with her, shedding light on her codependent behaviors and prompting her to embark on a journey of overcoming shame, blame, emotional turmoil, and self-sabotaging behaviours.
Her early career in human services focused on youth at risk and supporting women overcoming trauma, including domestic violence, and sexual abuse/assault. Drawing from her own experiences with health issues and emotional turmoil stemming from childhood instability, Dianna is particularly focused on the mind-body connection and responses to childhood trauma from a comprehensive bio-psycho-social perspective.
Dianna has confronted and overcome a myriad of challenges including attachment disorder, depression, sexual assault, divorce, financial struggles, ADD, major autoimmune conditions, and a rare blood disorder. Additionally, she identifies as a Highly Sensitive Person and People Pleaser.
Currently she lives in Victoria, B.C. close to her two adult children, prioritizing a harmonious balance of body, mind, and spirit in her daily life.
To learn more, book a FREE half hour no-pressure call to chat and learn if working together is the right fit for both of you. Offering virtual sessions for your convenience!
Visit her website at www.DiannaLeeGraves.com
