Arend Smith
Counsellor in Kelowna, BC
Executive Director, Kelowna Trauma & Life Therapy
Arend offers a grounded, person-centered approach to counselling in Kelowna, shaped by curiosity, empathy, and a deep respect for each person’s capacity to heal.
He believes that much like the body knows how to repair itself, people carry an innate ability to move toward healing and growth when given the right conditions. His role is to come alongside you in that process—creating a space where you can be seen, heard, and supported without judgment.
Arend works with adults and couples navigating life’s challenges, offering a steady, relational presence that prioritizes connection over correction.
Approach to Counselling (Person-Centered & Relational)
Arend’s approach is primarily person-centered, with influence from Relational Life Therapy (RLT). He brings a balance of warmth and honesty into the room, supporting clients in building awareness, taking ownership, and moving toward meaningful change.
He also integrates elements of:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Arend has completed psychedelic-assisted therapy training with Medicinal Mindfulness (Boulder, Colorado), including cannabis-assisted, psilocybin-assisted, and ketamine-assisted therapy. He supports clients in this area through a harm reduction and integration-focused approach, helping individuals prepare for, make sense of, and integrate their experiences in a safe and grounded way.
→ Learn more about this approach on our Cannabis-Assisted Therapy page (link this)
Arend’s counselling services in Kelowna:
Individual counselling for adults
Couples counselling
Support through life transitions
Relationship challenges
Personal growth and self-awareness
Stress and overwhelm
Integration support for altered states
Influences:
Arend’s work has been shaped by the teachings of Terry Real (Relational Life Therapy), Brené Brown, Gabor Maté, and Richard Schwartz (Internal Family Systems), as well as voices like Chris Voss and Michael Pollan, whose work explores communication, behaviour, and human transformation.Training & Background
Arend completed his training in Applied Psychology with a specialization in Professional Counselling through Kelowna College of Professional Counselling (KCPC).
Before entering the counselling field, Arend spent years running his own flooring business in the construction industry. Working closely with homeowners, he developed a strong appreciation for both craftsmanship and relationship—paying attention to the details that mattered most to each person.
In many ways, he sees counselling through a similar lens. Just as someone invites a contractor into their home, counselling is an invitation into something even more personal—your inner world. The stakes are higher, and the work is deeper, but the foundation remains the same: trust, care, and collaboration.
A More Personal Note
Arend’s core values are faith and integrity, which guide both his life and his work.
He is also a father to a daughter—a role that continues to shape how he listens, leads, and shows up in the world. Being her dad has deepened his commitment to modelling what it means to relate with care, respect, and integrity in relationship. It influences how he approaches conversations, how he holds space for others, and the kind of presence he brings into both his work and his relationships.
His hope is to contribute, in his own way, to a world where people feel safe to be themselves, where they are met with honesty and dignity, and where relationships are built on mutual respect.
His hope for each person he works with is simple: that you move beyond just surviving, and begin to experience what it means to truly thrive.
As Brené Brown writes, “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
It is an honour to be part of that process with you.
Book Counselling in Kelowna
Arend offers both in-person counselling in Kelowna and virtual sessions.
→ Book a free 15-minute consultation (link to Acuity)
→ Book a session (link to Jane)