A little more ABOUT ME and HOW I practice…

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (RCC-ACS) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. I have over 20 years of experience providing clinical treatment as well as psychotherapy in a variety of therapeutic contexts, with folks of diverse ages, identities and backgrounds.

Most of my clinical experience has been in hospitals and community psychiatric clinics, as well as with non-profit agencies and in schools, with children and youth.

A significant percentage of my therapeutic practice has been dedicated to trauma work, including responding to crises and supporting the process of managing (and living with) the impacts of traumatic events, generational and complex trauma and post traumatic stress (PTSD). I have offered services to survivors of residential schools, adults and youth with experiences of severe mental illness and addiction, as well as individuals, families and communities living with the effects of systemic violence, marginalization and stigma. My practice is grounded in the principles of Recovery, Harm Reduction and Social Justice.

I have certifications and training in a number of therapeutic modalities, which I integrate to create a unique therapeutic engagement that tailors to the needs of the person, couple, family or group. I commonly utilize approaches from Cognitive Behavioural (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural (DBT), Narrative, Emotion Focused (EFIT, EFFT), Somatic and Play Therapies. I’ve worked for most of my career with trauma, including generational, childhood, sexual, transgender, queer and gender-based violence and systemic oppression. I have training in EMDR and response-based practice (a social justice-based response to personal and systemic violence and oppression). No matter what method we are working with, it will be trauma-informed.

Additionally, my training as a yoga instructor gives us the option to incorporate mindful movement and breath work, as well as techniques in relaxation and mental focus into our work together.

Whenever possible, I aim to incorporate nature into the therapeutic process. This can mean going for a walk in a park (walk-and-talk), finding a quiet spot outside to sit and talk, nature-based play with children (though not just) and even adventure-based therapeutic groups.

Simply being in nature is therapeutic. For example, trees regulate our vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate); the colours blue and green resonate with the parasympathetic system to support a calm and peaceful inner state. When combined with therapeutic work, nature-based therapy can facilitate awareness of body (soma) and the nervous system response; it can offer a sense of safety in and connection to the natural world and increase the confidence in one’s ability to achieve this in the world at large. It can also be an experience of choosing: to observe, explore or engage with the nature, at your pace. You get to choose to simply “be” or to participate, that is to exert influence and allow to be influenced by the natural environment. Nature-based play with children can be an engaging and often effective way towards resource-building and experiencing trust and mastery.

I view any therapeutic approach as a tool, a means to an end, that allows us to gain new insights and open up possibilities for alternative ways of being and engaging with our lives. I view the therapeutic relationship and the space of trust we create between us as the medium of change.