Cortex Clinical Counselling

Meet Our Team - Cortex Counselling
Meet Our Team

Retraining the nervous system, together

Meet the practitioners dedicated to helping you move beyond managing symptoms, toward meaningful, lasting change.

Our Approach - Cortex Counselling
A different understanding of change

We don't just manage symptoms. We help change the pattern.

Many of the people we work with are used to pushing through. They're capable, high-functioning, and doing everything they can to manage what they're dealing with. But underneath that, there's often a sense of being stuck, in anxiety, repeating patterns, or chronic physical symptoms that don't fully make sense.

Our team is built around helping change the underlying neural patterns in your brain and nervous system, so your system can return to a stable, regulated state, and you can experience meaningful, lasting relief.

Renée Bueckert - Cortex Counselling
Renée Bueckert

"Compassionate and direct, creating real, lasting change."

In-person · Nanaimo, BC
Online · Across Canada
Direct billing available

Founder

Renée Bueckert, M.EdCP, RCC

Registered Clinical Counsellor & Neuroplasticity Practitioner

If you feel stuck in anxiety, trauma responses, panic, or persistent symptoms such as physical pain, dizziness, fatigue, or brain fog that keep coming back no matter what you do, it can feel exhausting and discouraging.

We now understand far more about how the brain and nervous system learn patterns of fear, protection, and chronic symptoms, and how those patterns can change over time. When they become deeply ingrained, they can feel automatic. But patterns can change, even when symptoms have been present for years. As your nervous system becomes less reactive, symptoms often resolve completely.

My goal is not simply to manage symptoms, but to help people experience permanent relief from the patterns keeping them stuck. My approach is grounded in neuroplasticity, focused on helping your system feel safer, less reactive, and more regulated over time.

Areas of Practice

Anxiety & Panic Trauma & PTSD Depression Post-Concussion & Brain Injury Chronic Pain & Persistent Symptoms Health Anxiety Stress & Burnout Emotional Regulation Return to Work (RTW / GRTW)

Modalities & Approaches

EMDR Neuroplasticity-Informed Somatic & Nervous System-Based ACT Internal Family Systems (IFS) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive & Behavioural
Book a session with Renée
Simona Sebastian - Cortex Counselling

Registered Clinical Counsellor

Simona Sebastian, M.C., RCC

Trauma-Informed & Relational Therapy

If you've been carrying the emotional weight of trauma, chronic illness, chronic pain, anxiety, or long-term stress, it can begin to affect every part of your life, your nervous system, your emotions, your relationships, and your sense of self.

Therapy should feel like a place where you are heard, understood, and supported without judgment or pressure. My approach is grounded, relational, and trauma-informed, with a strong focus on helping clients reconnect with a more compassionate and regulated sense of self.

Many of the people I work with have lived through medical trauma, chronic stress, misdiagnosis, or long periods of feeling unheard or dismissed. Before private practice, I worked extensively with youth and young adults and have facilitated mindfulness and self-compassion workshops for over a decade, experiences that continue to shape my calm, attuned, and compassionate approach.

Areas of Practice

Trauma & Complex PTSD Chronic Pain & Chronic Illness Anxiety & Panic Disorders Depression Grief & Loss Emotional Regulation Medical Trauma Injury & Post-Injury Adjustment Attachment & Relationships Boundaries & Communication Neurodiversity Life Transitions

Modalities & Approaches

EMDR AEDP Internal Family Systems (IFS) ACT Compassionate Inquiry Somatic & Body-Based Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion Practices Trauma-Informed & Attachment-Based
Book a session with Simona
Simona Sebastian

"Grounded, relational, and trauma-informed support."

In-person · Nanaimo, BC
Online · Across Canada
Direct billing available
Book a Session - Cortex Counselling

Ready to find the right fit for you?

Whether you connect with Renée or Simona, your first step is the same, and we're here to make it feel safe and simple.

Book a Session