Daniel Cloake

In the pursuit of helping his clients move towards freedom and nurturing an understanding for themselves and those around them, Daniel believes we each have the opportunity to grow closer to who Christ calls us to be: people that know they are loved and delighted in, no matter our story.

Daniel’s desire to work with families was first cultivated through his time serving at Barnabas Family Ministries, mentoring summer staff and youth with a focus on relationship with Christ, while helping run the ministry’s year-round retreat programs.  Daniel received his Bachelor’s of Arts, majoring in Theatre and minoring in Visual Arts, from Trinity Western University in 2010. His experience in the Theatre and Art programs began to shape his perspective on life, in particular instilling the belief that each individual has a unique story and gifting God has intentionally woven into each of us. He also first experienced and began to explore the therapeutic and healing power of laughter, humour, and acting; the concept that by entering into these spaces of play, we can experience empathy for both ourselves and others in unexpected and transformative ways.

Through a season of discernment – and the investment and support of several mentors – Daniel confronted his deep conviction to pursue a life that helped others understand their true value and the significance of their story within the context of God’s narrative.  Daniel received his Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from ACTS Seminaries in 2017, which in addition to shaping and challenging his own perception of self, equipped him with the experiences and skills he needed to journey alongside individuals, couples, and families as they work to find healing through the realization and acceptance of their stories.

Since 2013, Daniel has worked with individuals and couples in a variety of settings, including Burnaby Counselling Group and Columbia Bible College, and working with youth and children from all backgrounds and abilities at Take a Hike Foundation and Vancouver Christian School. From this widespread experience, Daniel is excited to work with individuals and families bringing diverse challenges to the counselling room, such as trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, relational issues, parenting and family difficulties, and learning differences.

Specializing in Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Gordon Neufeld approach, Daniel’s approach to counselling is rooted in systems theory, with a focus on attachment. We all have unique journeys and relationships which have shaped us, challenged us and at times hurt us.  We have all found ways to survive and yet at times these ways of surviving come in conflict with those we need connection with or with who God has called us to be.  With a deep understanding of self in the context of how God loves us, we can begin to find the strength to become who God has created us to be, finding grace and patience for ourselves and empathy and compassion for those around us.  This takes courage – to feel emotions and explore hard experiences in our past and present is not easy. Daniel would be honoured to champion and partner with you on your journey.