Meet Your Therapist
Hi, I'm Inka
The Hart Behind iHart Therapy
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor supporting children, teens, adults, and caregivers with emotional regulation, connection, and overall well-being. I work from a client-centered approach that supports each individual where they are, while gently guiding them toward where they would like to be.
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Professional Background
Meet Your Counsellor
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor supporting children, teens, adults, and families with emotional regulation, connection, and overall well-being. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in curiosity—creating a space where clients feel understood, supported, and comfortable being themselves.
Originally from Poland and raised in Victoria, I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Victoria and a Master of Counselling Psychology from Athabasca University. Before entering private practice, I worked extensively with children and youth in school settings and later led the development and delivery of provincial training for Ministry counsellors and psychologists. These experiences continue to shape my practical, relationship-focused approach to therapy.
I have extensive experience supporting neurodivergent children and youth, including those with autism and ADHD, and have pursued specialized training in neurodiversity-affirming practice, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). I focus on understanding each person’s unique strengths, nervous system, and experience of the world while helping families build greater connection and confidence.
My work also includes supporting anxiety, depression, OCD, emotional regulation, and other complex concerns across the lifespan. I draw from ACT, CBT, DBT, attachment-based approaches, and expressive and play-based therapies, thoughtfully tailoring therapy to the individual rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Above all, I believe meaningful therapy begins with connection. My goal is to create a space that feels genuine, engaging, and safe—where clients can better understand themselves, build meaningful skills, and move toward a life that feels more manageable and connected.
A relationship-focused, neurodiversity-affirming approach to therapy
Animal Assisted Therapy
Meet Pterodactyl (Teri)
Teri is an affectionate Cavapoo who serves as our primary therapy companion. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) uses the unique bond between humans and animals to facilitate emotional regulation and therapeutic progress. Teri’s presence can also help reduce anxiety, build trust, and create a sense of safety for clients of all ages.
Teri, a Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle mix), may be present for some counselling sessions. Whether he is simply resting nearby during a session or engaging in interactive play, his nervous system can act as a co-regulator, making it easier to navigate difficult emotions and build meaningful connection. Having a furry friend nearby can also help make a space feel more comfortable and make it feel easier to open up. If you have any questions, concerns, allergies, fears, or preferences regarding Teri's presence, please reach out to us directly.
Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, and filling an emptiness we didn't even know we had
- Thom Jones
Children & Teens
When working with children, my approach is grounded in attachment theory and incorporates expressive techniques such as play and art. My goal is to create a space that feels engaging, safe, and meaningful—where children can explore, learn, and grow through their natural language of play.
Adults & Caregivers
I offer a collaborative and supportive space focused on building insight, emotional awareness, and practical strategies for navigating life's challenges. Drawing from EFFT, I also support caregivers and families to strengthen relationships and create lasting change within the family system.
Professional Affiliation
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
A Personal Note
Outside of my work, some of my favorite moments are spending time at the beach with my daughter and horseback riding. At home, our family enjoys fostering kittens, which has become a meaningful and rewarding part of our lives. These experiences continue to remind me of the importance of connection, play, curiosity and care.
A fun fact—my family has a connection to professional wrestling, with several members involved in WWE, and my husband’s grandfather was the founder of Stampede Wrestling in Calgary.
Specialized Training
Children & Teens
Adults
Parents
I have a particular interest in child and adolescent mental health and have pursued specialized training in developmentally appropriate, neurodiversity-affirming, attachment-based, play-based, and evidence-informed approaches.
My training also includes evidence-based approaches for supporting adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, perfectionism, relationship concerns, grief, emotional regulation difficulties, ADHD, and other mental health concerns.
Supporting children often means supporting the important adults around them. My additional training helps me work collaboratively with parents and caregivers while strengthening attachment, emotional regulation, and family relationships.
Play Therapy & Developmentally Responsive Approaches
Evidence-Based Therapy & Mental Health Approaches
Attachment, Parenting & Family Support
- Training for Child & Adolescent Therapists: Play Therapy Using the Oaklander Model, Parts I–VIII (in progress)
- Understanding Traumatized Children & Applying Play Therapy Tools in the Treatment of Trauma
- Understanding & Treating Anxious Children Using Play Therapy
- Introduction to AutPlay
- Foundations in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Practice
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety & Depression
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Depression & Anxiety Disorders
- ACT for ADHD
- ACT for Autism: A Neuroaffirming Approach
- ACT for Perfectionism & People Pleasing (in progress)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills
- EMDR: Integrating EMDR into Clinical Practice – Intensive
- Emotion Focused Therapy: Attachment Science in Practice (EFT)
- Motivational Interviewing Foundations
- Grief Treatment Certification Training
- Recognizing & Responding to Suicide Risk
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Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) – Core
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Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator Training
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SPACE – Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (in progress)
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Emotion Focused Therapy: Attachment Science in Practice
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Foundations in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Practice
Anxiety, Neurodiversity & Emotional Regulation
Perinatal & Early Parenthood
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety and Depression
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for Depression and Anxiety Disorders
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Adolescents
- ACT for Autism: A Neuroaffirming Approach
- ACT for Perfectionism & People Pleasing (in progress)
- ACT for ADHD
- Essential Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills for Adolescents
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills
- SPACE – Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (in progress)
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy with Adolescents – Level A
- Understanding & Treating Anxious Children Using Play Therapy
- Motiviational Interviewing Foundations
- Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care
- Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy Training
- Foundations in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Practice
- Certified Baby-Led Sleep & Well-Being Specialist
Additional Training
- Advanced DSM-5: Application of the DSM-5
- Counselling at a Distance: Using Video, Telephone & Text
- Foundations of Animal-Assisted Interventions
- Applications of Animal-Assisted Therapy
Trauma & EMDR with Children and Teens
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
- EMDR Training: Integrating EMDR into your Clinical Practice (Intensive)
- EMDR Therapy with Children: Master Class, Levels 1–5
- Advanced EMDR for Kids & Teens
- Understanding Traumatized Children and Applying Play Therapy Tools in the Treatment of Trauma in Children
- Grief Treatment Certification Training
Complex Mental Health & Safety
- Suicide & Self-Harm in Adolescents
- Psychological Intervention in Early Psychosis, Parts 1 & 2
- Recognizing & Responding to Suicide Risk