About

About Holly

Holly-Yager

Education

  • M. Ed. (Counselling Psychology), University of British Columbia
  • Dip. Ed. (Counselling Psychology), University of British Columbia
  • BA. Adv. (Psychology), University of Manitoba

Professional Memberships

  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
  • BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)
  • Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
  • Canadian Fertility & Andrology Society (CFAS)
  • Counselling Special Interest Group (CSIG) of the CFAS 
  • Mental Health Professionals Group (MHPG) of the ASRM 
  • Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI)

Holly Yager is a reproductive health & fertility counsellor offering virtual/video sessions to clients in British Columbia.

Holly Yager (she/her) has 20+ years experience providing therapy and support for fertility-related, reproductive health-related, and sexual health-related concerns. 

Born with an interest in reproductive health and fertility, Holly has worked as a reproductive & sexual health counsellor since 2001. She got her start working in a number of prominent youth and women’s clinics in Vancouver, and completed an internship at the BC Reproductive Mental Health program. 

In 2004, Holly began working as a clinical counsellor at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre in Vancouver and gained extensive experience in the departments of:  reproductive endocrinology & infertility (REI/IVF), recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), early pregnancy loss (EPAC), elective cesarean clinic (formerly Choices in Childbirth), and specialized women’s health (CARE).

During this time, Holly was the in-house counsellor at BC’s only publicly funded fertility clinic, the former BC Women’s Centre for Reproductive Health (UBC IVF). She was then fortunate to be part of the team to launch Canada’s first interdisciplinary clinic for the treatment of CPP, the Centre for Chronic Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis.

After many fulfilling years, Holly made the decision to leave her permanent position at BCWH in 2018, to focus primarily on private practice, which she started in 2007.

In her practice, Holly provides support and therapy to adults, facilitates group workshops, presents lectures, and participates in professional consultation. Holly is active on several professional committees related to fertility counselling, medical ethics, and fertility law. She has also co-authored several publications related to fertility and pelvic pain/endometriosis. 

Holly has a master’s degree in counselling psychology from UBC and a psychology degree from U of M. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association, which require ongoing professional development and an adherence to professional ethics and standards of practice. She is also an active member in the Canadian Fertility & Andrology Society and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine allowing her to keep up-to-date on fertility-related research and guidelines. 

Holly has travelled extensively and lived in several different cities and countries in the world, but grew up primarily in Winnipeg. In 2021, after living in Vancouver for 25 years, Holly made the decision to move to Kelowna, where she provides virtual counselling sessions while enjoying all that the sunny Okanagan has to offer.

Specialized focus on reproductive & sexual health and fertility:

  • Third-party reproduction for donation and surrogacy
  • Infertility 
  • Trying to conceive 
  • Fertility treatment (IUI, IVF)
  • Pregnancy loss
    • Miscarriage
    • Recurrent loss
    • Stillbirth
    • Termination
    • Genetics diagnoses
  • Decision making for:
    • Pregnancy
    • Parenting
    • Fertility treatment
  • Perinatal & postpartum mental health
  • PMS/PMDD
  • Pelvic pain & sexual pain

Counselling Approach

 

Holly has a person-centered approach, where you are the expert on your own life and where collaboration is key. She is known for her professional, yet relaxed approach, allowing you to quickly feel at ease.

Holly sees adult clients of all genders, sexes, relationships, races, cultures, ethnicities, and abilities. She considers herself an ally to the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities.

Holly has training and experience in a variety of evidence-based psychotherapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based strategies (MiCBT/MBCT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), and EMDR (unfortunately not offered by video at this time). 

Holly has additional, specialized training and experience related to:  relationships, grief & loss, trauma, perinatal mental health, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, assisted reproductive technology, third-party reproduction for donation and surrogacy, pain science, pelvic pain, and sex therapy.

Ready to book a video session with Holly?