Lisa Shopland-
Black

I truly can’t imagine doing anything else. I became interested in the field as a very social justice oriented teen in the mid-1980’s amidst the AIDS epidemic. Following that, I began volunteering for Planned Parenthood and then begun a decades long career as a sex ed teacher. The areas of sexuality and relationships have been my focus of interest and academic research my entire adult life. I am passionate about pushing back against misinformation, shame and gendered expectations.

• Together we collaborate and create sessions that work best for you and are unique to your needs.

• While it is important that I am knowledgable about all the techniques and modalities we could use in counselling, it is always up to my client to choose which one feels best for them.

• Things we might work on together:

  • Finding new ways to connect with your sexuality and overcome past sexual trauma.

  • Needing help to lighten the heavy load of anxiety, disappointments, and painful memories.

  • Support in finding the energy to connect with the people and activities that could bring you happiness, joy and love.

  • Help moving through a transition in life.

  • Changing the patterns you have with your partner or relationships to find the connected, fun and playful love you once had or wish for.

• I use a variety of approaches in my work with the emphasis always being on the needs of my client.

• I love new clinical research in the fields of sexuality and will incorporate those into therapy

• I draw from narrative therapies, mindful practices, family systems therapy and attachment-based approaches, among others.

• Underlying all work is a trauma knowledgeable approach using a feminist, intersectional, biopsychosocial and anti-oppressive lens.

I began working in the field of sexuality in 1989 as a volunteer counsellor for Planned Parenthood. While teaching, I specialized in sexuality and relationships. I have extensive experience, training and education in these and related areas. I also teach Sexuality Counselling in a Masters program and give workshops and trainings for teachers and therapist.

BA, BEd, MC, RCC

Associate Faculty at City University of Canada

I will always show up as myself. I have so much tolerance for awkward after decades of teaching high school that I am now immune to feeling it, so you never need to worry about my feelings! I will be able to handle whatever you through out. Then, I will probably let you know about some of the most current research…

When I am not doing therapy or taking a deep dive into learning almost anything, I spend time with my family having adventures. I am a lover of travelling, baking, reading and biking around Vancouver. At home, I spend a lot of time making sure a very large, sweet and entitled cat is kept happy. Together, he and I enjoy bonding time watching any British murder mystery.