Bonfire Counselling

Shaun MacDonald MCP, RCC (he/him)

I’m a registered clinical counsellor (RCC #14115) of Scottish and Welsh descent. I mainly work with youh and young adults, with a particular interest in working alongside folks seeking support in their relationships with substances.

I take a person-centered approach to counselling, with IFS, Harm Reduction, Existential, DBT, MI, ACT, ecotherapy, as well as decolonial, anarchist, and anti-oppressive theories making up the foundation of my work.

In addition to my work with Bonfire Counselling, I’ve worked at UNYA, VCH, and currently with the amazing team at Foundry Virtual. Each of these experiences have helped inform my practice to provide attuned, practical, collaborative support to clients.

I’ve been so fortunate to work alongside so many amazing colleagues, clients, and teams, and want to shout out in particular my wife Lana, who helped me establish Bonfire Counselling and has walked alongside me as the most amazing life partner. I also want to shout out both Helen Craig and Sarah Heneghan, who supported me as supervisors early in my career and helped establish so much of how I approach my work.

Bonfire Counselling Shaun MacDonald Virtual Outdoor Counselling Unceded Coast Salish Territories Vancouver BC

Photo by @lana.bellydance

Services

I strive for all services at Bonfire Counselling to be accessible and COVID-conscious.

If you have any questions or concerns about any of these services, please let me know.

$150/60min • $200/80min • Sliding-Scale • Mutual-Aid Reduced Rate

Walk-and-talk or sit-and-talk sessions on the beautiful unceded Coast Salish territories, working with the healing power of nature and movement. We’ll connect prior to the session to determine a meeting location and a route if necessary.

Outdoor Counselling

$150/60min • $200/80min • Sliding-Scale • Mutual-Aid Reduced Rate

Online sessions over Zoom.

Virtual Counselling

wildfire relief Counselling

No Cost

I have limited capacity to offer 3 Virtual Counselling sessions, at no cost, for people in communities directly impacted or displaced by wildfires, or other natural disasters such as floods. Please call or email to inquire about availability.

Provide evidence (ex. receipt) of a financial contribution to a mutual aid request, or another community support.
Receive 2x your contribution, to a maximum of $75, off one session.
- ex. $10 contribution means $20 off a session; $25 means $50 off; contributions $37.50 or more will max out at $75 off a session.

Examples of community supports: mutual aid call-outs, wildfire relief, fundraisers for people in Gaza, Masks4EastVan, DULF, Indigenous Climate Action, Vancouver Black Therapy Fund, Vancouver Mutual Aid Self/Social Therapy, UNYA, Big Bro’s Barbershop, Distro Disco, mutual aid orgs, harm reduction initiatives, community gardens, etc.
Items (ex. food, clothing, PPE) given to community fridges, aid distribution groups, and similar initiatives are also welcomed, and will be compensated at their monetary equivalent (ex. $10 worth of goods means $20 off a session.)
Contributions must be made from within the last 12 months prior to the session.
I reserve the right to decline contributions. I intend to clarify criteria in the future, but essentially I won’t accept contributions that I assess as being in bad faith, or those given to organizations that are disporportionately harmful to people, animals, or the planet.
If you are unsure if your contribution will be accepted, please reach out to me to inquire before you make the contribution.