Kelly Johnson-Gahaya holds a Master’s degree in Counselling from Providence University and Seminary in Manitoba. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors as well as a Certified Professional Counsellor (CPC) with the Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists.

Kelly resides in Rwanda, Africa, where she has been living and working as a missionary counsellor for the past 9 years. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Lighthouse Counselling and Training Centre, in Kigali. Kelly has nearly 20 years of clinical experience in both Rwanda and Canada combined. She is an empathetic and active listener who is passionate about helping people move beyond the problems in their lives that impact their daily living.

As a therapist, Kelly is dedicated to developing a strong therapeutic relationship with her clients, believing that it is an essential ingredient in the process of emotional and psychological healing. Through this trusted client/counsellor relationship, she offers her clients a safe space to explore the issues in their lives that are troubling them. She believes that counselling is a journey and not a destination and that each person is on a unique path that requires an individualized approach to their counselling. She believes in the equality of all persons and the provision of good clinical care for each client that she sees.

Her clinical approach is based in person-centred and Attachment Theory. Her areas of expertise include couples therapy, trauma, depression and anxiety, gender-based violence, and cross-cultural living. She is also an Integrative Enneagram Accredited Practitioner. However, she also provides counselling in a variety of other areas.

Kelly is a Christian woman who can incorporate biblical wisdom into therapy if so desired by her clients, however, she also works successfully with clients from a variety of faiths and backgrounds. Kelly is married and has one daughter. She grew up in Victoria, BC and her and her family hope to be able to return to Canada and reside in Victoria soon.