Every integral moment of your life makes a difference.

Welcome to Braided River

My purpose and mission is to support you on your healing journey. The journey is about finding meaning and purpose in your life. To explore the unknown, embrace the challenges, and reveal your authentic self hidden under the rock and debris that is the river of life. The currents and rapids may have been strong and unfair at times, however with courage and support you can change the river’s direction.

MA, MAMS, DSD, RCC, CCTP-11

Debra Kine

Debra is deeply passionate about how trauma can affect an individual's spirituality and identity. She has a deep understanding of PTSD and how it can cause people to separate from the essence of who they are. However, her own experience of recovering from PTSD has shown her that healing is possible.

Her goal is to assist people in finding their authentic self and to walk through their challenges and struggles with traumatic life experiences, substance use, and codependency.

Braided River encompasses a holistic approach to one’s health and wellbeing. I provide counselling services, direction and guidance with nutrition and exercise, and meditation. I also encourage my clients to get out in nature as much as possible because I believe nature offers a variety of health benefits.

 

My office is conveniently located in Central Nanaimo. Can’t make it into the office? No worries – I’ve got you covered. I offer both in-person and Telehealth Zoom sessions.

Braided River Services

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    First Responders & PTSD

    First responders often feel isolated or ashamed of their PTSD symptoms. Counselling can normalize their experiences and validate their emotions, helping them understand that their reactions are common responses to trauma. I have years of experience working with members of the RCMP, IAFF, BCEHS, and Veterans Affairs, so I understand that each have distinct roles and responsibilities, but share a common commitment to serving others, often in challenging and dynamic environments.

  • Couples Counselling

    Even couples with strong relationships can benefit from counselling as a preventive measure. Counselling provides tools and strategies for maintaining a healthy relationship and navigating future challenges effectively.

  • Individual Counselling

    If you have experienced trauma or adverse life events, counselling offers a safe space to process and heal from these experiences. I use evidence-based techniques to help individuals overcome trauma symptoms and regain a sense of control.

  • Grief & Loss

    Loss often brings significant life changes, such as changes in roles, routines, and relationships. I can help individuals navigate these changes, adapt to their new circumstances, and find meaning and purpose in life after loss.

  • Adjustment Disorders

    Adjusting to life changes can strain relationships. Counselling can help individuals improve their communication skills, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their support networks, including family, friends and community resources.

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Featured
Moral Injury
Moral Injury

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

-Helen Keller

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Your Story is Sacred
Your Story is Sacred

Your story is sacred and needs to be shared. It lays down the paths for others to follow.

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Nature, Wound Healing, and Resilience
Nature, Wound Healing, and Resilience

How does one find relief in the garden, or in the forest?

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The Split Between Trauma and the Authentic Self
The Split Between Trauma and the Authentic Self

What does this mean, the authentic self?

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Rakaia River, NEW ZEALAND

One of the largest braided rivers in the world.

Client Testimonials

  • I ended up on Deb's professional doorstep in January 2019. I was broken, lost, and void of any hope of a better life. I had been a Police Officer for 18 years at that point, but I was a shell of the human I once was. I was consumed by PTSD and the unhealthy coping mechanism I had adopted in trying to fight my diagnosis. I was an addict, addicted to pharmaceutical medication, opiates, and alcohol. I was suicidal. I had been arrested two weeks earlier for Impaired Operation. I had lost my family. They had watched me spiral as long as they could, but for their health and safety, had walked away. I didn’t believe I had any life left. I didn’t believe my life would ever get better. I was angry. I was scared. I was sad. I was spent. My life was over. Deb saved my life. It’s that simple. As I write this, I am 1888 days sober. I have shared my story with first responders and others across the Country. The ripple effects of Deb's help not only saved my life but has saved the lives of other first responders across this country. I owe my life to Deb.

    —JB

  • I learned very early on that taking care of everyone else allowed me to live in a blissful state of “I’m good”, which is great if I am good. Unfortunately, it also became known as complete denial when all of a sudden, and for the first time in my career, I wasn’t. For many months, I ignored the voice inside warning me that something wasn’t right. And it worked for a long time until it didn’t. By that time, the voice was a bull horn and I hit the proverbial brick wall. Hard. That’s when Debra came into my life. With nothing left in me to give, I felt a great sense of relief in being able to let someone else take the reigns. I went into her care with an exhausted heart and an open mind, incredibly thankful for the opportunity. Words cannot express my love and appreciation for Debra and the gift I received from her. She saved my life. I saw and felt, firsthand, the extraordinary love and dedication she has for those in her care. Accepting her guidance was a life-changing experience and the best decision I have ever made for myself and for my family. Thank you for everything, from the bottom of my heart.

    —DR

  • When I met Debra I was a complete mess and it was a very involved process to get me grounded enough to want to work on myself. Debra is unlike any counsellor I have ever met. Sessions with her were more like conversations that had carefully placed learning points and countless “aha!” moments. I began looking forward to our sessions and always left feeling motivated to work on myself (and how to). I had extensive childhood trauma and simply ignored it my entire life and Debra helped me to work through the negative impacts this had on my life. She helped me not to forgive and forget, but to forgive and flourish. We worked on a wide range of things from grounding techniques, meditation, shame and guilt, anger, forgiveness and acceptance, spirituality, trauma, and my story. She also helped me create a daily self-care routine that is the foundation of my health and happiness. I am back to work, sober, my marriage has never been better, and my friends and family can hardly believe the difference. I am truly happy, perhaps for the very first time in my life.

    —MM

  • When I met Deb I was a pretty big mess, filled with false bravado and a healthy dose of righteous indignation, but she looked beyond that facade. She cared about who I could be, about finding the person behind years of troubles, addictive behaviours and a desire to end my life. Her ability to meet me where I was, with her overwhelming compassion and protective nature kept me safe from myself and others who tried to derail my recovery. Working not only with me but also my partner, Deb helped us tear down everything we believed to be true about ourselves and our relationship, and how we could regrow the strings that bound our hearts together despite the hurt created between us. Today, we live our best lives together, we thrive because of Deb’s care, compassion and sometimes a little of her tough love.

    —JD

  • At a dark time in my relationship, Debra Kine challenged everything I thought to be true and not only taught me how trauma can inform a person’s behaviour, but also how forgiveness can be the answer without compromising your integrity and core values. She walked a difficult path with me back to a place where love, trust and compassion prevailed. I credit Deb with creating a safe space for me to express my feelings and to truly listen with an open heart. Ultimately, her support and guidance allowed myself and my partner to carve out a new way to live-one that prioritized honesty and transparency and led to a more fulfilled life together.

    —SD

The Myth of Normal