Kirsten A. Boulier, MSW, RCSW
Registered Clinical Social Worker & Trauma Therapist in Maple Ridge, BC
Professional Background
Kirsten is a Registered Clinical Social Worker and trauma therapist with more than 15 years of experience across mental health, social services, community programming, and clinical practice.
Her professional background spans community and residential youth services, child and youth mental health, school-based therapy, rural and remote practice, adult psychotherapy, professional education, clinical consultation, and private practice leadership.
Kirsten founded Healing Quest Counselling in 2019. Her current clinical practice focuses on trauma, attachment, ADHD and neurodivergence, and she provides comprehensive ADHD assessments for adults. Read her therapist bio here.
Earlier in her career, Kirsten spent five years working on unceded Nuxalk Territory in Bella Coola, BC, including as a Child & Youth Mental Health Clinician and as a school-based therapist at Acwsalcta School. Her work included supporting children, youth, and families experiencing complex mental-health concerns; contributing clinical expertise to multidisciplinary teams; and supporting trauma-informed practice at a systems level.
Alongside her clinical practice, Kirsten enjoys teaching trauma-informed practices to organizations and helping professionals translate clinical knowledge into practical, relationally responsive approaches.
Education & Professional Registration
Master of Social Work, Clinical Specialization
University of British Columbia | 2017
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Psychology
University of British Columbia | 2014
Honours thesis: Intersection of Self-Harm, Intimate Partner Violence, and Psychopathy
Registered Clinical Social Worker (RCSW)
BC College of Social Workers | Registration #13653
Clinical Practice & Leadership
Founder & Registered Clinical Social Worker — Healing Quest Counselling
2019–Present
Provides psychotherapy with a clinical focus on trauma, attachment, ADHD, and neurodivergence.
Provides comprehensive adult ADHD assessment.
Provides clinical consultation to associate therapists and peers.
Founded and facilitates an ongoing peer consultation initiative for local therapists.
School-Based Therapist — Nuxalk Nation, Acwsalcta School
Bella Coola, BC | 2019–2022
Provided child and youth psychotherapy within a school community.
Led the school's Trauma-Informed Practice Committee.
Contributed clinical and mental-health expertise to interdisciplinary school-based teams.
Developed and delivered trauma-informed professional development for teachers, education assistants, and special education staff.
Child & Youth Mental Health Clinician — Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH)
Bella Coola, BC | 2017–2019
Provided mental-health assessment and treatment to children, youth, and families in a remote and rural community.
Kirsten's earlier professional experience includes child and youth work, residential youth services, case management, program coordination, crisis intervention, mental-health group facilitation, and community-based programming.
Teaching, Training & Professional Facilitation
Peer Consultation Facilitator — Healing Quest Counselling
2026–Present
Founded and facilitates an ongoing consultation group for local therapists focused on clinical case consultation, professional connection, and referral-network development.
Guest Lecturer — UBC Indigenous Teacher Education Program (NITEP), Bella Coola
Mindfulness | 2021
Delivered an introductory session exploring the Western origins of mindfulness, its relationship to mental health and well-being, and its practical application; facilitated an experiential mindfulness practice.
Trauma-Informed Practice Professional Development — Acwsalcta School
2019–2022
Developed and delivered professional learning for teachers, education assistants, and special education staff as part of school-wide trauma-informed practice initiatives.
Parenting Workshop: Supporting Suicidal Youth — Bella Coola, BC
Workshop Facilitator | 2019
Delivered psychoeducation for parents and caregivers on understanding and responding to suicide risk in youth.
Reclaiming Connections Parenting Program — Bella Coola, BC
Group Facilitator | 2018
Facilitated a structured attachment-focused parenting program supporting caregivers in strengthening connection and responding to youth’s emotional and relational needs.
Selected Community Workshops & Facilitation
Expressive arts — Langley Stepping Stones (2026)
Expressive arts — Langley Community Action Team (2026)
Trauma-Informed Crisis De-Escalation with Children — SARS, Bella Coola (2021)
Suicide Assessment Training — Kelowna Community Resources Crisis Line
2012–2015
Led suicide-assessment training for crisis-line volunteers while serving as Volunteer Support Leader.
Advanced Clinical Training
Trauma & EMDR
EMDR Basic Training, Levels 1 & 2 — 2019-2020
EMDR 2.0
Flash Technique
Integrating EMDR & Internal Family Systems
Looking Through the Eyes: EMDR With Dissociative Clients — Sandra Paulsen
Positive Affect Tolerance & Integration Protocol — Andrew Leeds
Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS) — DNMS Institute
Somatic Interventions for Trauma — Justice Institute of British Columbia
Embracing Our Fragmented Selves — Janina Fischer
Cognitive Behavioural Therapies
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) — Child and Youth Mental Health
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety (CBT-A) — Child and Youth Mental Health
Neurodivergence & Integrative Practice
Neurodiversity-Affirming Care for Autistic Clients — NICABM
DBT for Neurodivergent Clients — Hannah Smith
Internal Family Systems and Integrative Somatic Parts Work
IFS Online Circle — IFS-Informed Practitioner
Expressive Art & Play Therapy — Justice Institute of British Columbia
Facilitator Credentials
Circle of Security — Facilitator
Connect / Reclaiming Connections — Facilitator
Research Experience
Research Assistant — UBC Okanagan Centre for Advancement of Psychological Science and Law
2012–2014
Kirsten's undergraduate research experience included the completion of an honours thesis examining the intersection of self-harm, intimate partner violence, and psychopathy.
Leadership & Community Service
Chair — Discovery Coast Music Festival Society (Bella Coola Music Festival)
2021–2025
Served as Chair of the board of directors for the nonprofit society responsible for the annual Bella Coola Music Festival.
Public & Professional Writing
Guest Contributor, Meno Square — Why Can’t I Focus Anymore? Understanding Perimenopause, Brain Fog, and When an ADHD Assessment May Help (2026)
Additional Training & Credentials
200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (200CYT)
Kirsten draws selectively on her background in mindfulness, movement, and body-based practices where clinically appropriate.