About Me
I’m an experienced counsellor with more than 15 years in the field. I’ve worked in a variety of settings: cancer care, mental health + addictions, sexual + domestic violence, and reproductive health to name a few. I have a Master’s in Social Work from the University of British Columbia and I’m registered in good standing with the College of Social Work and the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
My work in Cancer Care has served as a frequent reminder of how precious this life is. My hope is to support my clients to find a greater sense of inner peace, harmony in relationships, and alignment with their values. I consider it a great privilege to be led into the intimate lives of people and I’m constantly inspired by my client’s capacities to cope with life’s changes and challenges. When I’m not working, I can be found chasing around my 2 young children, exploring BC’s beaches and forests, singing, or cooking up something new in the kitchen.
More about my practice & professional background
I’ve spent the past decade working on the counselling team at BC Cancer with patients and families living (and dying) with cancer. I support people to adjust to serious/chronic illness, process anticipatory loss, cope with caregiver issues, and bereavement. I have expertise in supporting parents to support their children to adjust to illness in the family, and/or prepare for death/dying. I have specialized skills and training in children’s grief.
Prior to my work in oncology care, I worked as a Stopping the Violence counsellor in a Northern First Nations community. In this role I supported survivors of all kinds of abuse, including intergeneration trauma. I have training in a variety of trauma-informed approaches to address both its’ somatic and psychological impacts. As with all my clients, my focus, first and foremost, is on establishing safety, supporting emotion regulation, building coping skills. I support people through a variety of life transitions as well as to manage anxiety and depression.
My practice starts with building a collaborative therapeutic relationship; we work together to make sense of the problem(s), identify sources of strength/resources, and safely process painful feelings to reach a greater sense of understanding, relief, and inner peace.
I draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities to support my clients. I have training in: emotion-focused therapy, AEDP, existential therapy, bereavement, serious illness, children’s grief, IFS, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, narrative therapy, EMDR, somatic approaches, and trauma recovery.