Graham Giske

Registered Clinical Counsellor, Canadian Certified Counsellor, Nanaimo, BC.

Graham brings years of experience as a high school counsellor with School District 68 to Strides Counselling. His extensive athletic background—including five years playing college basketball at VIU, BC Team member in wheelchair basketball, playing rep hockey in high school, current adaptive crossfit athlete and basketball coach—gives him unique insight into the connection between mental wellbeing and performance.

Read more about Graham’s approach, background, and offerings below or check out his brochure, here.

  • I’m a current high school counsellor at School District 68 and have been privileged to be in that position for the past 5 years. I’m grateful to be joining the team at Strides Counselling.

    Through my personal experiences, education, and occupation, I can support those actively working through, learning from, and mending from life’s challenges. As I have also coped with grief, loss and trauma. I truly believe that we all have the capability to be resilient and overcome any adversity with support.

    As a teacher, counsellor, and coach for 15 years I have lots of experience working with youth who demonstrate a wide range of social, emotional and educational needs. In particular, I enjoy working as a team with youth, caregivers or community partners to help HEAL clients.

    A little bit about me is that I’m married and a father of 2 boys under 4. I have passion for sport, playing college basketball at VIU and have coached boys basketball since 2008. I love spending time with my family and friends and am privileged to do this on the traditional unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw people. 

  • The foundation of my counselling approach is built on trust and building a strong therapeutic relationship. Together we will work through the challenges you are facing, while discussing your strengths, to develop effective coping strategies to achieve your goals.

    Therapeutic Approaches:

    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) 

    • Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)

    • Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)

    • Strength Based

    • Mindfulness

    • Narrative Therapy

    • Person Centered Therapy

    • Family Systems

    • Activity and play-based modalities

    • Attachment Theory

  • Bachelor of Arts (VIU) 

    Bachelor of Education (VIU) 

    Master of Education in Counselling (City University of Seattle)

  • Graham is currently offering virtual and in person appointments for youth, teens, and adults. To book an in person appointment with Graham, please reach out to him directly at: graham@stridescounselling.com

    Graham’s Primary Areas of Focus:

    • Stress Management

    • Anxiety Disorders

    • Depression and Depressive Disorders

    • Mood Disorders

    • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    • ADHD support

    • Learning support

    • Grief and Loss

    • Self-Esteem

    • Parenting Support

    • Life Transitions

    • Sport and Mental Performance

Book with Graham