Lena Orlova (RTC) (she/her) is originally from Western Ukraine, born in Lviv. For the past 19 years she has called Canada her home. She currently lives on the traditional, unceded lands of the Squamish, Tsleil-waututh, and Musqueam, also called Vancouver. Lena is a registered therapeutic counsellor, writer, and educator. She is passionate about helping individuals build greater connections to themselves, to others, and to their communities. Her desire to support others as a counsellor has largely stemmed from her childhood fascination with the bigger questions of life and the complexities of human nature. She draws on her own lived experience with mental health struggles, immigration, and intergeneration/historical trauma. She believes that when people get together with a collective struggle and a common goal—we can act and create change.
Before her career as a counsellor, Lena worked in corporate administration. She spent 5 years working in property management, as a chair and advisor to several Boards and Councils, which gives her the ability to manage different interests and support organizations in moving towards their mutual goals.