Pavan Nahal

MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker (#): 17208

Locations: Surrey Therapist Online

Serving: Children Youth Adults Young Adults Families

Couples


Pavan is a dedicated counsellor with over eight years of experience in the mental health field, specializing in supporting children, youth, and families. She holds a Master's of Social Work (Clinical) from the University of British Columbia and has held roles as a Family Enhancement Counsellor, Frontline Support Worker, and Aboriginal Infant & Supported Child Development Consultant. Her diverse clinical experience spans roles in various settings, including residential youth programs, emergency crisis shelters, family programs, and private clinical practices. Pavan is proficient in trauma-focused and family-based interventions, integrating approaches such as attachment and psychodynamic theories, CBT, and emotion-focused family therapy.

In her recent roles, Pavan has gained extensive expertise working with trauma, family reunification, child development, and intimate partner violence. Her work at the Kelowna Women’s Centre, Options Community Services, and The Bridge Youth and Family Services included facilitating psycho-educational workshops, crisis intervention and lay counselling support for youth and adults facing substance challenges, mental health, and environmental stressors. She has utilized parent-child interaction therapy principles to support the bond between caregiver and child attachment. Pavan has also run workshops for the YWCA and Surrey School District for teenagers experiencing school-related issues and symptoms of anxiety. Outside of clinical work, her research is published in the International Journal of Qualitative Methods and she used evidence-based research to create an online course with the Child Advocacy Centre of Kelowna titled “Maintaining Safer Communities: Abuse and its Implications” for service providers that support children, focusing on trauma responses, intersectionality, and practical strategies for trauma-informed best practices. Fluent in both Punjabi and English, Pavan’s compassionate, culturally aware approach helps foster trust and empowerment, making a profound impact on the individuals and families she supports.

GET TO KNOW PAVAN

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GET TO KNOW PAVAN

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GET TO KNOW PAVAN

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GET TO KNOW PAVAN • GET TO KNOW PAVAN • GET TO KNOW PAVAN •

My Professional Background

    • Anxiety

    • Depression

    • Attachment difficulties

    • Behavioural difficulties

    • Emotional dysregulation

    • Parenting

    • Parent-child conflict

    • Family conflict

    • Adverse childhood experiences 

    • Trauma

    • Life transitions 

    • Developmental concerns 

    • School-related issues

    • Relationship issues

    • Childhood trauma

    • Abuse

    *if you want to work with me and don’t see your concern here, mention it on your inquiry form! I’ve worked with many areas and it’s possible I have experience working with yours before, too.

    • Attachment-focused

    • Strengths-based

    • Evidence-based; Integration of neurobiology and somatic therapy 

    • Psychoeducation

    • Person-centred

    • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

    • Emotion-focused

    • Narrative therapy

    • Crisis intervention

    • Solution-focused brief therapy

    • Person-in-environment

    • Therapeutic relationship

    I have had the privilege of working alongside children, youth, and parents, who have showcased significant perseverance, resiliency, and healing. While I use a strength- and attachment-based lens, I tailor my approach, providing holistic, individualized interventions to best fit your needs. My priority is to foster a therapeutic relationship consisting of compassion, collaboration, and trust, creating a safe space for you to process your story. With a deep passion for counselling, and by personally experiencing the transformative changes that can result from this work, my hope for you is to feel empowered, allowing you to create meaningful and authentic change.

    • Master of Clinical Social Work (University of British Columbia)

    • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Counselling & Human Development (Simon Fraser University)

    • Ages and Stages (ASQ 2 & 3) Training Certificate (First Nations Health Authority)

    • Indigenous Canada Course (University of Alberta)

    • Introductory Motivational Interviewing: Engaging Parents and Caregivers in Change (Change Talk Associates)

    • Non-violent crisis intervention training (Crisis Prevention Institute)

    • Relationship Matters Course (Kim Barthel)

    • Meltdowns to Precious Moments: A calm, common sense approach to parenting (Dr Vanessa Lapointe, Maggie Dent, & Inclusion Langley Society)

    • Mental Health First Aid Training (Mental Health Commission of Canada)

    • Infant and Early Mental Health Certificate (The Hospital for Sick Children)

    • Addictions & Mental Illness- Working with Co-occurring Disorders (Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute)

    • English

    • Punjabi

Get To Know Me Personally

  • I enjoy going on nature walks, attending counselling, and kickboxing.

  • I wanted to be a counsellor for almost as long as I can remember! Due to my cultural experiences, I was raised to value Seva, which translates to “selfless service.” Throughout my life, I also recognized that each individual’s perspectives are shaped by their environments and experiences. Not only did this help me develop an empathetic personality, but it also ignited a deep passion for helping. I recognized that pain is a shared part of the human experience and that it is possible to heal.

  • My perseverance. Despite life’s challenges, I continue to impress myself by self-reflecting, practicing compassion, and learning. I do not believe in failure- if something does not turn out the way that I intended, I did not fail, it simply means that I must keep going!

  • I wanted to be a neurologist! Although this is not the path I took, I enjoy incorporating neurobiology in my approach. I am very passionate and love my career, as it brings a lot of joy and fulfillment.

  • I’m spending time in nature, usually at the beach. I’m also spending time with loved ones and learning! 

  • I would like my clients to know that despite the difficulties they are experiencing, hope and change is possible.  I will be alongside them to support them in enhancing their well-being through a safe, non-judgmental, and caring manner. The first step of reaching out for support can be challenging. It is not easy to share your story, however, I am committed to working at a pace that is comfortable for you!

  • One of the things I cherish most about being a counsellor is celebrating the progress and strengths of each client. It’s truly a wholesome experience. 

  • Warm, empathetic, calm, caring, and well-informed.

  • “And here you are living

    despite it all”

    - Rupi Kaur

New Clients

Please fill out the New Client Inquiry form below to book an appointment with Pavan.

Existing Clients

Our online booking feature is available to clients who have already had a first appointment with Pavan