My Story
I was born and lived in the Vancouver area until age twelve, when my family moved to a First Nations Reserve north of Winnipeg, Manitoba. I lived on the Peguis Reserve for the next five years until graduating high school. This experience gave me a unique understanding of, and profound respect for, First Nations’ culture. I am forever grateful for this and recognize how incredibly fortunate I am to have had this experience. From there, I moved to Winnipeg where I spent the next ten years in university. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from The University of Winnipeg in 1993 and a Master of Science in Physical Education (Sport Psychology) from The University of Manitoba in 1999. My background in competitive figure skating and singing led me to write a thesis on how performing artists and athletes view excellence and use goal-setting. I only skate for fun now, but I do still sing professionally, primarily in musical theatre. I am a full member of Canadian Actor’s Equity Association and ACTRA. I spent nineteen years working in various frontline and leadership positions at a major Canadian airline. I’ve been everything from a Flight Attendant to a Customer Service Agent to a Station Manager and have lived in places like New York, New Brunswick, Alberta, and Southern Ontario during my aviation career. In 2014, I moved to Vancouver Island, and here, I’ve truly found my “happy place”. A few years ago, I looked ahead and decided I wanted a career change. I wanted the second half of my working life to be focused on helping people, and for it to encompass all of my educational, life, and professional experience. I asked myself, “What would you do if there were no obstacles or limitations in your way?” The answer was clear. I love listening to people’s stories and understanding their experience. Counselling seemed like a perfect fit for me, and so a few years ago, I went back to school and obtained a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. In my free time, I enjoy taking in a show or concert, spending time with friends and family, and exploring this beautiful island we call home. My young Australian Shepherd named Joey is the light of my life, pictured below. He's a great co-worker, but he does tend to sleep a lot on the job, as you'll likely see during our video sessions.
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My Approach
I believe in using a client-centered approach, which emphasizes the role of the client as an equal partner in the therapeutic process. Our sessions will be flexible and tailored around what your needs are on that specific day, while keeping in mind what you have expressed as your overarching goals for therapy. You will always be treated with respect, compassion, and empathy, which are the key elements of any successful therapeutic relationship.
I also utilize a trauma-informed approach, which means that I recognize that there may be underlying trauma in your experience. Trauma-informed practice emphasizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety throughout all phases of the counselling process.
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EMDR
With individuals, I specialize in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). EMDR is a type of therapy that uses bilateral stimulation of the brain in order to process traumatic or unpleasant events that have happened throughout the course of your life. This is similar to what happens when you're in the REM (dream) phase of sleep, except in therapeutic setting, you are completely awake and present. I am EMDRIA Certified in EMDR. Click here to watch a short, informational video on what EMDR is like and how it works. Click here to read my blog about EMDR and my blog about Online Therapy, which includes an explanation of how we achieve the bilateral stimulation for EMDR in a video session.
Note: EMDR sessions are 80 minutes in length.
Gottman Couples' Therapy
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I have completed Level 3 Practicum Training in Gottman Method Couples' Therapy and use Gottman Method Couples' Therapy in my work with couples. The Gottman Method, developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, is based on thousands of hours of scientific research with real-life couples. The Gottman Method can be helpful for couples who are struggling with chronic and perpetual relationship issues and conflict, couples who have “normal” levels of conflict and just want to increase their level of connection and intimacy, or newly committed couples who want to arm themselves with as much knowledge as they can about how to maintain a successful relationship long-term. Click here to book Gottman Couples' Therapy. You can also click here to read my blog about Gottman Couples' Therapy.
Note: Couples' therapy sessions are 80 minutes in length. I also offer an extended 120 minute couples' counselling session.
For more information on the Gottman Method of Couples' Counselling, please click here.
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Education
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, 2018
Master of Science in Physical Education, 1999
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, 1993
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Continuing Education
Flash Technique Training – June, 2025, Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute
Utilization of EMDR Therapy With Grief and Mourning - April, 2025
Complete IFS Therapy Immersion - December, 2024
Solutions Focused Brief Therapy, E.Connie - November, 2024
Intensive ACT Training, Dr. D. Moran - July, 2023
Clinical Supervision: Competence, Professional Standards, and Practice Workshop - June, 2023
Safe & Practical EMDR For Complex PTSD - May, 2023
EMDR in Couples' Therapy - March, 2023
EFT Attachment Science in Practice - July, 2022
EMDRIA - EMDR Certified Therapist - November, 2021
Attachment-Focused EMDR - September, 2021
Gottman: Treating Affairs & Trauma - December, 2020
Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors - Sept, 2020
Facilitating EMDR Online - May, 2020
EMDR Basic Training - Completed March, 2019
Gottman Couples Therapy, Levels 1-3 - October & November, 2018
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Voluntary Associations
BCACC (RCC): Full Member
EMDR International Association (EMDRIA): Full Member, Certified Therapist
EMDR Canada: Full Member
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