Services
Passionate Counselling Professional
CAREGIVER SUPPORT
In offering services to caregivers I use the word "caregiver" in the broadest sense of the term - you could be a biological, step or foster parent, a grandparent, a partner or even a close friend. As a caregiver you have a unique position from which to provide the support necessary to help create positive change in your loved one's life, even if they are not involved in any treatment. I specialize in helping caregivers gain a better understanding of what their loved one might be going through and teach specific tools that help you provide optimal support to your loved one. I also help caregivers explore their own beliefs and the impact these may have on the relationship and their loved one. This is in no way placing blame on loved ones, but simply recognizing that relationships, along with the people within them, are complex and dynamic, and caregivers are incredibly powerful agents of change in their loved one's life. While I utilize an eclectic approach (meaning I tailor my therapeutic technique to the individual and their specific needs), when supporting caregivers I work from the underlying framework of the neurobiology of attachment and often use Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT).
Consultation/System Navigation/Advocacy
After working in the mental health system for many years I have come to realize that it can be difficult for individuals and families to know where to turn for help when their loved one is struggling. There are so many agencies and services and yet it is often difficult for families to know what services to access or how to access them. Given this, I also provide consultation, system navigation and advocacy to individuals and families who aren't sure where to turn for help. I am aware of many referral options in the community that are free or low cost, so this option may be a good fit for you if you don't have extended health benefits to cover the cost of counselling and your are looking for free or low cost services in the community. If cost is a barrier for you in accessing this service I do offer a sliding scale so please feel free to message me for further information.
Anxiety/OCD
In additional to offering services to caregivers, I have a special interest in supporting individuals experiencing anxiety/OCD. When working with these individuals I utilize an integrative approach that draws heavily upon Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and exposure response prevention (ERP).
About
I am passionate about helping people and feel so lucky that I get to follow my passion as a career! Working from a trauma informed, culturally sensitive, anti-oppressive stance is important to me both personally and professionally. Given this, I would first like to gratefully acknowledge that I live, work and play on the traditional territory of the people of the Sumas (Sema:th, Sum-Aht) and Chilliwack (Ch.ihl-kway-uhk, Chilukweyuk) tribes of the Stó:lō and Tzeachten Salish First Nations. I feel incredibly privileged to be here on these lands and strive to live and work in a way that shows my commitment to supporting Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
I began my career in 2006 doing outreach in the downtown eastside of Vancouver and fell in love with the work of walking alongside people during difficult times in their life. Since then I have worked for non-profit and government organizations along with health authorities in the fields of mental health, criminal justice and addictions. This work has included supporting children, youth and adults along with their caregivers.
After having my own children I became more interested in the role of caregivers in supporting their children to develop emotional intelligence and in the recovery of their loved ones who are struggling with emotional or behavioural difficulties. This led to me pursuing independent and formal training in the areas of parenting, attachment, interpersonal neurobiology, and complex trauma.
My professional qualifications include a bachelors degree in psychology, a master's degree in public health and a master's degree in social work. I am a registered social worker with the BC College of Social Workers. I have post graduate training in complex trauma, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Cultural Sensitivity, and Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT).
While a solid education is necessary in order to practice ethically and effectively, I truly believe (and research backs me up!) that the most important part of counselling is the relationship between counsellor and client. I also believe that much of what makes someone a great counsellor isn't what they learn in school, but is instead about the things that can't be learned from a book - true passion for helping others, a non-judgmental stance, and the ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and beliefs. I believe I embody these qualities and bring them into my work in a way that is warm and authentic and (hopefully!) helps people feel comfortable working with me.
Given my belief that finding the right "fit" with a counsellor is incredibly important, I offer a free 15 minute consultation to give potential clients the chance to get to know me, ask questions and determine if I'm the right fit for them (and if I'm not, there are no hard feelings!).
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel"
Maya Angelou
Schedule a Session
Please feel free to get in touch by phone or email to book a free consultation or a session with me.
778 240 8900