"In my early professional years I was asking the question: How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for their own personal growth?"
- Carl Rogers
It takes an incredible amount of courage to reflect on our lives and share vulnerably with another human being. The invitation to walk alongside you in your healing and growth is something I do not take lightly and value highly.
I believe humans are an intricate and beautiful combination of our lived experiences and the relationships that have shaped us. As such, I believe we continue to be shaped and changed by the relationships with those closest to us and in this way are forever invited into further growth and learning. For this reason, I believe the counselling relationship we build together is the most meaningful condition for change in our work together as we all have an innate need to belong and a desire to be both supported and free.
I believe emotions can be an incredible resource that point us to our longings and needs and that as we learn to acknowledge and prioritize these needs, we are drawn into deeper connection with ourselves and others.
I believe some coping strategies that have previously supported us or helped us survive may outgrow their usefulness, and may no longer be necessary in the same way they were in the past. Rather than being critical of these less helpful coping strategies (e.g., anger, perfectionism, avoidance) and shaming ourselves for using them, I believe in the importance of self compassion and gentleness as we practice relating to these parts of ourselves in a different way. With less energy expended on shame and frustration towards ourselves comes the freedom to show up in our lives with greater understanding, integrity, and authenticity.
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and an applicant for registration with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia. I hold a PhD in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. I have over a decade of experience working within the mental health sector, in non-profit, community agencies, and counselling centres at post secondary institutions (Simon Fraser University and Memorial University).
I have experience working with clients with diverse and intersecting identities (race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, class, and more), supporting them through concerns such as: anxiety, depression, trauma, childhood trauma, discrimination, identity and self-confidence, grief, interpersonal relationships, and career and life transitions.
Beyond my academic training, I am committed to engaging in training opportunities to provide exceptional counselling care to the clients I see. Some of the additional trainings I have completed include:
Internal Family Systems Trauma Treatment Program: A 4-Month Intensive Course, 2024-2025
Compassion in Therapy Summit, 2022 and 2023
An Introduction to Embodiment: Theory and Clinical Practice, 2022
Assessments for Mental and Behavioral Health in Primary Care, 2022
Transforming Trauma with Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy, 2022
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional: Two-Day Trauma Competency Conference, 2022
Making Change: Advocating for the Practice of Psychology in Canada, 2021
Perfectionism: A Dynamic-Relational & Evidence-Based Approach to its Conceptualization, Assessment, & Treatment, 2021
University of Alberta Online Course: Indigenous Canada, 2020
Indigenous Reconciliation and Trauma-Informed Counselling, 2020
Gottman Training: Trust and Repair, 2017
Healing Attachment Wounds: Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), 2016
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) Workshop, 2015
Understanding Abuse in Relationships Training, 2013
Since every person is different with their own unique therapeutic needs and goals, I use an integrated therapeutic approach, bringing together the various counselling techniques I have learned throughout my training to let the individuality of clients shape their counselling experience.
I use a trauma informed therapeutic approach and offer a safe and supportive place for clients to unapologetically share their story and lived experience, gain insight into what has been troubling them, collaboratively set meaningful goals, and identify the values that are meaningful to them and the strengths they already have.
Some of the specific skills and techniques I draw on include:
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) interventions to understand various aspects of the self without judgment
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) interventions such as values exercises and self-compassion practices to foster self-acceptance
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) techniques to bring insight into emotional and relational needs
Narrative Therapy interventions to identify the oppressive impacts of dominant cultural narratives and scripts such as racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination, and offering a space where clients can freely express all aspects of themselves.
And Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions to foster change in mindset and actions.
These skills are combined in a gentle and resource filled counselling context with the aim to encourage clients to live a fulfilling life that is congruent with their values, while building deeper connections in their relationship with themselves and those closest to them.
My counselling approach is client led and flexible to best support you and your individual counselling goals. However, in case it helps to demystify the counselling process, here is a typical framework that we can adapt for our work together.
Initial Free Consultation
(15 minutes)
Because the counselling relationship is foundational to our work together, I offer a free fifteen minute consultation so that we can determine the client counsellor fit. After you reach out to me, I will arrange a time to have a brief phone call with you.
First Counselling Intake Appointment
(50 minutes)
Our first full session together is an intake counselling appointment. The focus of the counselling intake includes understanding your presenting concern and counselling goals, identifying your strengths and resources, and reflecting on your background and significant relationships. I approach intake sessions with gentle curiosity and compassion as I begin to understand your story and we collaboratively set goals together.
Working Collaboratively on Initial Counselling Goals:
10-20 Weekly or Bi-weekly Counselling Sessions (50 minutes each)
At the beginning of our work together I typically recommend scheduling between 10-20 sessions, once every week or every other week. This is considered the working stage of counselling where we will meet regularly to build momentum and support you with your counselling goals. The working stage of counselling is collaborative and relational in nature and also requires dedication between appointments to begin practicing new skills and coping strategies, and investing time in reflective practices (e.g., journaling) before our next counselling appointment. Some of my clients have found it beneficial to bring a pen and paper or small journal to our sessions to jot down insights they want to hold onto during the week.
Reflecting on Counselling Goals and Deciding What is Next:
Continued Counselling Sessions as Needed with Gradually Reduced Frequency (50 minutes each)
Following the working stage of counselling we will reflect on your counselling goals and the progress you are making towards them. At this stage in counselling some clients choose to continue with reduced frequency, booking counselling every three weeks or once per month. You always get to determine what is best for you and how regularly you would like to schedule counselling sessions, if at all.
