Hello, I’m Kari Gundersen.
My brain thinks in poetry, pictures, and metaphor. I buy everything secondhand in thrift shops because I love things with old stories. My favourite quote is “Hard times require furious dancing”.
I have AuDHD. I was born to a teenage mother in East Vancouver in 1971 and given up for adoption. I have 3 adopted brothers who are 10, 15, and 18 years older than me. I met my birth-mother as an adult, and learned that I have a half-brother and half-sister who are 4 and 8 years younger than me.
I became a formally trained dancer at age 3 and BC Champion at age 12. I left home at age 15 when the pressure to compete became overwhelming. I worked in dance companies, theatres, and art galleries until I became a therapist in my 40’s. Guided only by my creative spirit, I lived a whole lot of life along the way.
I have mixed Western European ancestry. My name is Norwegian, and comes from my adoptive father. “Kari” is the God of Wind in Norse mythology. It rhymes with Mary, cherry, and berry. I’m learning how to speak French and Spanish, which are also parts of my heritage.
I am inspired by nature-based spiritual practices like Hygge, Wicca, and Buddhism. I’ve been given so many powerful healings in my life. I didn’t always know what to do with them at the time, but now I use them to help myself and other people live smoother, deeper, more meaningful lives.
I am a fully vaccinated therapist, and you can trust me to honour public health mandates.
My Qualifications
Certified Excellence – 2025
Shadow Work Coaching Certificate
Certified Excellence – 2025
Ancestral Healing Practitioner Certificate
Certified Excellence – 2024
Narrative Therapy Practitioner Certificate
Efficient Coach – 2024
Positive Psychology Certificate
Dr. Gabor Mate – 2021
Healing Trauma & Addiction Certificate
University of Alberta – 2020
Indigenous Canada Certificate
Allura Sex Therapy Centre – 2020
Sexually Competent Therapist Certificate
Abortion Support Services Atlantic – 2020
Abortion Doula Certificate
Clearmind International – 2020
3-Year Therapeutic Counselling Psychology Diploma (RTC)
Semperviva Yoga – 2018
Yoga Nidra Teacher Certificate
Fine Balance Yoga – 2015
Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Certificate
Vancouver School of Healing Arts – 2015
Hatha Yoga Teacher Diploma (RYT)
Dalhousie University – 2006
Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA)