I practice from an anti-oppressive, liberatory, social constructionist, and trauma-informed lens, using a combination of clinical modalities according to the needs of the client. I take a non-pathologizing, non-judgmental, strength-based, and compassionate approach to counselling that considers the whole person in the context of their unique life.

I believe that each person has an inner self that is compassionate, calm, curious, courageous, creative, connected, and confident. Sometimes experiences of trauma, discrimination, injustice, pain, and life hardships can create protective beliefs, thoughts, and behaviours that mask your inner self for the sake of your survival in our so very broken world.

I believe in dignity, respect, and justice for all persons. I welcome people of all identities to my practice and strive to create a safe-enough space for our work together.

My therapeutic interventions vary based on client needs and include:

• Trauma-focused therapies: Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatics
• Second-wave cognitive therapies: ACT, MBCT, DBT
• Systemic therapies: Bowen Family Systems
• Post-modern therapies: Solutions-focused, Narrative, Feminist
  

I am a White, cis, heterosexual woman of mixed European descent. I have differently-wired, fast-paced, and non-linear thinking brain as well as an oozingly empathetic heart that seeks meaning and purpose in life. My family has been settlers for many generations and I now gratefully make my home on the traditional lands of the W̱SÁNEĆ people. I’ve lived with my family in the area known as greater Victoria since 2005, and grew up in greater Vancouver. I’ve spent extended time living and working overseas – and know for a fact that we are privileged to live in one of the most beautiful corners of the world and with that comes the responsibility to take care of it for the generations that follow us.

I grew up with many privileges and have also experienced pain, invalidation, loss, existential questioning, mental health challenges, and change in my life. I began my adult life working in the technology industry. During this time I experienced recurrent pregnancy loss and chronic pain that motivated me to reconsider my life. This existential experience brought questions of family, culture, patriarchy, capitalism, identity, meaning, values, and purpose. Through this experience I became aware that I needed to reclaim an long-standing passion for psychology, literature, and creativity. I became aware that I needed to open my heart, connect with people, and do something that brought meaning to my life. This led me to gain my Master of Counselling degree and become a clinical counsellor.

My life has woven its way around a myriad of mental health and life challenges of my own and my loved ones over the years. The privilege of higher education in counselling and psychology has given me the language to speak and write about the human condition. I consider my activism to include the de-stigmatization and normalization of what medicine calls mental illness, pathology, and diagnosis. In particular, I am passionate about normalizing what we have labelled neurodivergence as a way of being, thinking, feeling, and relating in the world that is valued, needed, and included.

Outside of the counselling office, I love to spend time with my family and friends, garden, do yoga, play board games, dabble poorly in needlework, read, write, listen to good music, and sail the Salish Sea.

• Anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and shame within capitalism and neoliberalism
• Values, identity, and development of self
• Life transitions and existentialism
• Neurodiversity in adults and families (Autism, ADHD, Giftedness, etc.)
• Reproductive grief, loss, and trauma (infertility, miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth, infant death, traumatic birth)
• Perinatal concerns (postpartum anxiety and depression, family and relationship transitions, parenting)
• Parental mental health, stress, and burnout

Academic credentials

• Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (RCC #21591)
• Masters in Counselling (CityU of Seattle, with Honours, 2024)
• Bachelors of Science (University of British Columbia; 2005)
• Graduate research in reproductive grief, loss, and trauma: Reproductive Loss in the Age of Neoliberalism

Post-graduate training

• Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS; PESI)
• Feminist Therapy Training (Jennifer Hollinshead of Peak Resilience)
• Canadian Perinatal Mental Health certificate (Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings)
• The Do’s and Dont’s of Neurodivergent Therapy with Nyck Walsh (Leading Edge Seminars; 2024)
• Internal Family Systems for Perinatal Populations (Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings; 2024)
• Bowen Family Systems Theory (South Island Center for Counselling and Training; 2024)
• ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (Livingworks; 2024)
• Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy (The Gottman Institute; 2022)

Other training and experience

• Intern and volunteer counsellor with South Island Counselling (2023-2024)
• Community volunteer mentor to single mothers with 1UP Single Parent Resource Center (2020-2023)
• Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss certificate (The Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death, 2020; 15 hours)
• Art of Living Mindfully – A course in meditation and mindfulness (BCALM; 2020)
• Plain Language Principles writing course (SFU Continuing Education; 2019)
• Leadership and management in the technology industry (2002-2021)
• Academic research assistant and teaching assistant (2004-2005)
• 20+ years amateur yogi, including various classes, retreats, and personal practice
• Mother to two young humans

I am qualified to work with a variety of presenting problems, including:

• Anxiety and depression
• Grief and loss
• Trauma and interpersonal violence
• Family patterns and dynamics
• Relationships
• Sexuality and gender identity
• Substance use
• Aging and life transitions