About

I use a couple of different core counselling theories in my work:

• Existential Psychotherapy – This is sort of the counselling “philosophy” I operate in, which says that as human beings we all have to deal with some core problems in our lives, including death, making hard choices, and finding meaning in our lives. There aren’t easy solutions to these problems, but it’s easier to face them bravely together rather than alone.
• Social Justice Theory and Critical Consciousness Theory – While we all deal with some core problems as human beings, there are systems of oppression in place that are bad for all of us but hurt some people much more than others. This includes sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, and ableism. Part of healing is learning about how these systems of power impact you and those around you, and how (even in small ways) you can challenge these systems.
• Interpersonal Processes Theory – If you have experienced abuse or other kinds of emotional or physical danger, you likely developed ways to survive unsafe situations that are making it hard to live your life when you are safe. Building supportive relationships that meet your emotional needs consistently, whether with a therapist or other people in your life, can help you heal over time from harmful past relationships.
• Integrative approach – People are incredibly complex and unique, and there isn’t a “one size fits all” type of counselling. Every time I work with a new client we go through the process of figuring out what works best for them, taking tools from different counselling approaches and trying them out to see what fits. If a tool that we need is from an approach I have not used before, we can figure out if it is reasonable and safe for me to try it with you. Sometimes I will get supervision from a therapist more experienced with using the tool, and if it is not safe for me to use the tool with you but you need it, we can work together to find you a therapist who can provide what you’re looking for.

If you like the sound of my approach I would be happy to have a free 15 to 20 minute consultation with you to see if I am the counsellor for you. I work with people living with depression, anxiety disorders, grief, and who are struggling with problems with relationships, setting boundaries, or just living their life the way they would like to. I work with people living with past trauma, and people in recovery from addictions. I have experience working with both individuals and families.

I have specific interest and experience working with disabled and neurodivergent people, including autistic people, people with ADHD, people with intellectual disabilities, and people with progressive physical and cognitive disabilities.

I am at the beginning of my career, so there are some issues I have not worked with yet. If you are interested in working with me but I have not described your situation here, feel free to contact me for a free consultation and we can discuss it further. If we determine I’m not the counsellor for you, I have a network of colleagues who I can refer you to, or we can chat about how to find a counsellor that is a good fit. It can take a lot of courage to reach out for help, and I want to make sure you find the support your looking for.

There are a few issues that people can come to counselling for that have associated safety risks, and I do not currently have the training to help people with. They include:

• An active eating disorder
• Active psychosis
• Anger resulting in violence against others

If you have experienced any of the above in the last six months, I am likely not going to be able to provide you with the support you need. However, if you are currently getting treatment from another counsellor/psychologist/psychiatrist for those specific issues and want to work on other concerns in your life with me, we can have a free consultation to see if I can provide what you need.

I am a member of the LGBTQ+ community. If  you want to work with a counsellor familiar with basic issues that you face day to day because of this part of your identity, I might be a good fit. I am familiar with many issues facing gay men, lesbians, bisexual people, trans women, trans men, two spirit and non-binary folks. I am slightly less knowledgeable about issues specifically faced by intersex, polyamorous, aromantic and asexual people,
although this is something I am working on. I am happy to discuss this
further with you.

I am a bisexual and gender diverse person, but I usually “pass” as a heterosexual woman day to day. If you are looking for a counsellor with closer lived experience in what you are going through the information and referral service with Qmunity might be a good place to start.

• 2023 – Online Course: San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training (Provincial Health Services Authority)
• 2024 – Workshop: Working with Addictions Online: There’s Always More Than One Elephant (BCACC)
• 2024 – Online Course: Indigenous gender diversity: creating culturally relevant and gender‐affirming services (Provincial Health Services Authority)
• 2024 – Workshop: Working with Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (BCACC)
• 2024 – Workshop: Supporting Families Going Through the MAiD Process (BCACC)