Anxiety – anxiety affects many of us at different points in our lives, often showing up in ways like overthinking, avoidance, and difficulty focusing (to name a few symptoms). While these experiences can feel overwhelming, they are common responses to stress and can be understood and managed with the right support
Working through anxiety in sessions may include (and more):
- Exploring where your anxiety may be coming from
- Learning and practising ways to calm the body
- Developing skills to settle the mind and manage unhelpful thoughts
- Building practical tools to cope with current and future worries
Therapeutic approaches that can support this work include CBT, DBT, somatic approaches such as SP, and EMDR. And these can be discussed in your sessions
Mood – If you’re finding it difficult to regulate your mood, you may notice experiences such as persistent sadness, crying spells, frustration, or avoidance, among others. These challenges can feel overwhelming, but they are understandable and support is available.
Working through mood concerns in sessions may include (and more):
- Exploring where these mood patterns may be coming from
- Learning tools to manage sadness and other difficult emotions
- Building practical strategies to support a more balanced and regulated state
- Strengthening awareness of emotional patterns and triggers
Therapeutic approaches that can support this work include CBT, DBT, somatic approaches such as SP, and EMDR. And these can be discussed in your sessions.
Relationships – relationships are an integral part of our lives and wellbeing. They shape how we feel, grow, and connect with the world around us. Whether it’s with our partners, our family, friendships, colleagues, and even our relationship with ourselves: we navigate many different connections throughout our lives. Each can be complex and, at times, challenging, requiring ongoing care, communication, and intention to truly thrive.
Sessions could include the following:
- Learning about each individual’s upbringing and experiences
- Discussing individual needs
- Developing a safe communication style
- Developing tools to strengthen relationship
Therapeutic approaches that support relationships include Gottman’s Method, Emotion Focused Family Therapy, CBT, DBT and SP. The method that works for you can be discussed in session.
Family – Family relationships are some of the most meaningful connections in our lives—but they can also be complex and evolving, and at times, challenging. Differences in communication styles, expectations, life stages, and unresolved past experiences can create tension or distance within families.
Sessions can include focus on the following (and more):
- Improved understanding of one another
- Strengthen communication
- Work through conflict
- Stabilize and improve the support system for everyone involved.
We offer support for a range of family dynamics, including:
- Parent–child relationships
- Parent–teen challenges
- Parent–adult children relationships
- Sibling relationships
- Blended families and other unique family dynamics
No matter the situation, counselling can help families move toward greater understanding and connection.
Modalities and training that support families include Emotional Focused Family Therapy, DBT, and Attachment Work.
General stress – Stress is a natural part of life, and when it becomes overwhelming or constant, it impacts your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Whether it’s caused by work, relationships, life transitions, or daily pressures, unmanaged stress can leave you feeling exhausted, anxious, or stuck.
Counselling would offer:
- A supportive space to understand the sources of your stress
- Development of practical tools to cope more effectively including communication style.
- Learning how to balance commitments, set boundaries, and care for yourself.
You don’t have to manage stress alone—support can help you feel more in control and better equipped to navigate life’s challenges.
Please keep in mind that your sessions will be unique to your experiences, needs and goals.
I have been fortunate to attend trainings for many modalities of therapy and I have come to understand that there is something that works for each of us.
While meeting with clients I consider the importance of our past experiences, our current state of mind and our future goals. I believe in compassion and balance, and working towards a better self without judgement.
In sessions, one of my goals is to be mindful and offer a safe place for clients to share personal thoughts and experiences. Being present in each moment allows me to focus on a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients. This relationship then leads to us collaboratively establishing goals as well as working toward goals.
Education and Training:
- San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, 2021-2022
- Indigenous Canada, 2021
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Level 1: Affect Dysregulation, Survival Defenses, and Traumatic Memory, 2019-2020
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 1 2019
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Forum: Building Capacity for Assessment and Treatment of Children and Youth with ASD and Mental Health Disorders, 2019
- Emotion-Focused Family Therapy Training, 2017
- An Introduction to DBT with Adolescents In a Community Mental Health Setting, 2016
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Anxiety & Related Disorders in Children and Youth Training, 2016
- Early Psychosis Intervention Provincial Training Program, 2015-2016
- Connect Parent Group Training, 2015
- Attachment, Self-regulation and Competency Training, 2014
- Selective Mutism Treatment Training, 2014
- Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk Training, 2014
- Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training, 2013-2014
- Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology, 2010-2013
- Practical Dialectical Behavior Therapy Strategies for Self-Injury Workshop, 2013
- Strategies in Working with Suicidal Clients Workshop, 2013
- The Biology of Loss workshop (Certificate of Completion), 2012
- Trauma: The impact of Violence, Abuse, & Neglect on Children (Certificate of Completion) Workshop, 2010
- Becoming a more Effective Counselor Certificate Workshop, 2010
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certificate Training, 2008
- Threat assessment Training Level 1, 2007
- Diploma in Child and Youth Care, 2005
- BSc (Hons.) Psychology and Criminal Justice, 2003
Professional Affiliations: RCC with BCACC
