Suvaya, is a Sinhalese word meaning wellness and comfort. Founded by Swetha Ranasuriya, Suvaya Counselling Services offers a variety of Art Therapy and Clinical Counselling services, and guidance for those wishing to explore their inner creativity.
Swetha Ranasuriya, RCC-ACS, RCAT
Practice Owner, Clinical Supervisor, Senior Art Therapist, Clinical Counsellor
Swetha is a person-centered therapist and counsellor who believes in human potential.She approaches the therapeutic space from a variety of experiences gained through her personal and professional life.
Swetha holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC). She holds a Master of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University (Victoria, BC). Her Art Therapy training was completed through VATI (Vancouver, BC) in 2017 – where she is now a teaching faculty member.
Swetha is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)and an Accredited Clinical Supervisor (ACS). Swetha is a Registered Canadian Art Therapist with the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) and an EMDRIA certified EMDR therapist. . Currently, Swetha also works as a Teacher/Case Manager in Alternate Education (Surrey, BC), while working in private practice.
Swetha is a trained Bharata Natyam dancer (Indian classical dance), and has a passionate interest in Ayurveda, meditation, and indigenous therapeutic practices from Sri Lanka and India (South Asia).
Swetha gained her initial experience into therapy and counselling within the school system as a high school art teacher, which ultimately led her to seek out training to be an art therapist at VATI. Since then, Swetha has continued to add to her knowledge and practice in Art therapy while also pursuing training in other modalities like EMDR.
Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Swetha leans on her roots and world perspectives, both learned and experienced. She has a keen interest in decolonizing therapeutic space and is continually striving to create safe places and practices through and within her work.
Swetha’s personal time is spent on being a mom, a dog-mom, her personal art practice, and reading a lot of books.
(Image credit: Ellie Marie Photography https://www.elliemarie.ca/)
Book with Swetha: https://suvaya.janeapp.com/
Fatima Gulamhusein, RCC
Clinical Counsellor
Fatima welcomes clients from all different background and experiences. Her background comes from working with youths, emerging adults, and families. Many of Fatima’s clients experience culture clash, mental health challenges, and complex trauma. Her practice is judgment-free with an emphasis on trauma-informed care and harm reduction. With a focus on attachment styles, culture, and communication, Fatima believes in the impact of relationships. She believes that lived experiences and relationships contribute to our feelings, behaviours, and how we view the world around us. Fatima believes that an emotionally safe and nurturing environment can facilitate positive change. Full of authenticity, she encourages cultural celebration and diversity from a holistic perspective.
Fatima is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) from the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). Fatima holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, in addition to her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Psychology and her diploma in Child and Youth Care. Her practice mirrors dialectical behavioural therapy, solution-focused therapy, and humanistic psychology.
In her spare time, Fatima can be found spending time with her miniature dachshund, Chai, or soaking in the sun.
Book with Fatima: https://suvaya.janeapp.com/
Shasyaa Harsh, RCC, Prof. AT
Clinical Counsellor, Art Therapist
Shasyaa/ Shaz is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and an Art Therapist (Prof. – AT) who uses a personalized, trauma-informed, and strength-based humanistic approach with her clients. The scope of her work includes depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, neurodivergence, trauma, grief, existential issues, life transitions, BIPOC and immigrant experiences, social difficulties, family/relationship issues, women’s issues among other concerns. She believes that change is possible and her goal is to empower the clients to feel agency, gain clarity, and connect better with themselves and the world, toward lasting healing.
Book with Shaz: https://suvaya.janeapp.com/