Counselling Interns

I am pursuing my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University and working as a mental health worker at Options Community Services in the Delta Clubhouse Program. Prior to this, I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Counselling, which I truly enjoyed as I have always been fascinated with human behaviour and have a passion for helping and understanding others. 

I am a biracial, cisgender female, and my pronouns are she/her. I am proud of my Fijian and Italian roots and embrace both cultures wholeheartedly. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, travelling and being in nature, and I love animals. Most importantly, I enjoy supporting others and helping them in their recovery journeys, wherever they may be. 

I can offer support in the following areas:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Women’s Issues
• Relationships
• Divorce
• Burnout
• Stress
• Boundaries
• Self-esteem 
• Life transitions
• Behaviour issues
• Self-care
• Body image

I am currently in a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program at Yorkville University and plan to become a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors shortly after graduating. 

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership degree along with a post graduate Certificate of Applied Psychology from Trinity Western University. I am transitioning into counselling from the food service industry where I have held a variety of professional and volunteer leadership positions in non-profit organizations. In many of these roles, I have had the privilege of serving and working alongside individuals experiencing substance use disorders as well as housing, employment and relationship challenges. 

I am in awe of the resiliency of the human spirit to overcome significant life challenges and rebuild a life and relationships into something a person is proud of. These experiences have given me valuable insight into human behaviour and have profoundly impacted my journey in becoming a counsellor. 

It is my belief that we know what is best for our lives but sometimes we just need help to figure out the way to get there. I am committed to developing a therapeutic relationship founded on trust, respect, and collaboration where you can feel confident and safe to talk freely about your life experiences. My approach is integrative where I draw on both humanistic and behaviouralist perspectives to help you define and achieve your goals. 

I look forward to getting to know you! 

I am a student intern counsellor completing my internship at Crossroads Collective in Langley, BC, in pursuit of my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. I also work as a civilian employee with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). With over 17 years of experience in the first responder field, I am passionate about fostering healing and transformation for individuals, couples, and groups.

Drawing from my background, I offer a compassionate approach. My experience has given me a unique perspective on resilience and the importance of mental health support. I believe in empowering clients to tap into their inner strength and skills.

Whether you are navigating stress, relationship challenges, trauma, chronic illness, or seeking personal growth, I am here to provide supportive guidance. My approach is warm, empathetic, and collaborative. I believe in focusing on possibilities, not problems. 

Reach out if you are seeking to cultivate resilience, enhance coping abilities, and strive for greater well-being. Let us embark on this journey towards healing and possibilities.

I am currently a Master of Counselling Psychology student at Yorkville University. Prior to starting the master’s program, I completed a bachelor’s degree at the University of the Fraser Valley with a major in psychology and a minor in sociology. The knowledge I gained throughout my undergrad allows me to better understand how our minds impact us in how we think and feel, as well as how we are impacted by our environment and society.

Before becoming a counsellor, I worked for a non-profit at an emergency shelter where I worked closely with individuals struggling with active addiction, diverse mental health issues, women and men fleeing domestic violence situations and a general population of people who are struggling to keep up with the fast pace of life. 

My therapeutic approach is rooted in the belief that you already possess the necessary resources within you to foster meaningful change. My role is to guide you in nurturing these existing skills and developing new tools to achieve your goals. I am here to support you, creating a safe space where you can freely express deep thoughts and emotions, even those that may be difficult or uncomfortable to articulate. 

Areas I am able to support you include, but are not limited to: 

• Anxiety
• LGBTQ2+
• Depression
• Women’s issues 
• Boundaries
• Burnout
• Stress Management
• Communication building 
• Confidence Building
• Interpersonal Conflict
• Self-Esteem
• Life Transitions
• Guilt and Shame
• Coping Skills
• Self-Esteem and Sense of Self

I am a Master of Counselling Psychology student at Yorkville University. Prior to pursuing my master’s degree, I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Sociology at Simon Fraser University. My passion and desire to help others within the mental health field stemmed not only from my educational journey but also from personal experiences as well. I myself have struggled with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders thus further demonstrating my ability to collaborate with you on a personal level through similar challenges. My current work as a youth support worker supporting diverse populations in a safe environment while getting to know them on a personal level has only further affirmed my desire to work in this field. I believe that my unique experiences and education attest to my credibility in working in this field and supporting the growth of my clients by helping them improve their quality of life and achieve inner peace and joy.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, attending the gym, and also engaging in other hobbies such as reading and various forms of art including painting and gardening. This creativity also transfers into my practice allowing me to think outside the box and tailor my approach to meet the needs of each unique client by collaboratively developing techniques that work for you. I offer an integrative approach to counselling that combines holistic, humanistic, and psychodynamic approaches. In addition to my empathetic nature and creative mindset, I am committed to providing a safe and supportive space for you to explore your innermost thoughts and feelings in a vulnerable manner, fostering empowerment, self-discovery, and a change in perspective. It would be my honour and privilege to embark on this journey of positive change with you as you overcome life’s challenges and become the best version of yourself.

The following list below are my areas of specialization:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Eating disorders
• Grief counselling
• Burnout
• Self-esteem
• Life transitions
• Career planning
• Trauma (past or recent)
• Relationship issues
• Play therapy
• Boundaries
• Body image

Do any of these resonate? “I am here to…”

• Feel better.
• Talk to someone who will listen and not judge me. 
• Begin to heal.
• Get clarity.
• Solve a problem.
• Navigate a life transition.
• Find out what I want.
• Find out my purpose.
• Learn about myself.
• Improve my relationship(s).
• Figure out what I can and cannot control.
• Understand my thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviours.
• Make meaningful changes.
• Break patterns and create healthier ones.
• Achieve personal goals.

I am completing my practicum for my Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University, and my previous degree is an Honours BA in Philosophy. As an intern, I receive quality supervision to ensure you experience a high standard and consistency of care. I am a student member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and plan to work fulltime as a licenced Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) upon graduation and certification.

I have over 30 years’ relevant professional experience in service to others as a teacher, facilitator, and mentor. I have had the honour of witnessing people’s vulnerability and courage as we collaboratively explore their inner and outer worlds. As a professional artist, I help people address psychological barriers, learn and practice skills, create meaning, and find their artistic voice. I work with people holistically, and it has been noted by others that I do so with empathy, patience, and warmth. I have worked with people of all ages, including brain trauma survivors, entrepreneurs, 2SLGBTQIA+, skeptics, athletes, and cultural creatives.

Bonus tidbit: For those interested in some positive uses of technology, I have a certificate in UX design from UBC, and I use virtual and augmented reality to design clinical research projects and creative learning experiences. 

Areas I can support include, but are not limited to: 

• Gender dysphoria and transitions
• 2SLGBTQIA+ and their families
• Relationship and couples counselling (partnerships, marriages, business partnerships, friends)
• Separation & divorce  
• ADHD
• Anxiety, depression & panic disorders 
• Coaching (life, business)
• Coping Skills
• Emotional Disturbance
• Grief and loss
• High conflict
• Life Transitions
• Mood disorders
• Parenting
• Relationship issues
• School issues
• Self care
• Self esteem
• Self-Harming
• Spirituality
• Sleep or Insomnia
• Stress
• Trauma and PTSD

Treatment approaches:

• Adlerian
• Art as Therapy – learn about self by assessing artwork by others
• Attachment-based
• Coaching
• Cognitive Behavioural (CBT)
• Culturally Sensitive
• Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
• Existential
• Expressive Arts
• Family Systems
• Gestalt
• Integrative
• Interpersonal
• Motivational Interviewing
• Multicultural
• Narrative
• Person-Centered
• Positive Psychology
• Psychodynamic
• Rational Emotive Behaviour (REBT)
• Resilience-Building
• Socratic questioning
• Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
• Strength-Based
• Transpersonal
• Trauma Focused
• Virtual reality

I strive to create a supportive and empathetic environment. My goal is to help you acquire the necessary tools to enhance your life, develop effective coping strategies, and gain a sense of clarity and self-esteem.

My professional background includes extensive experience as a Youth Worker, during which I dedicated my efforts to helping young individuals navigate behavioural challenges. This role not only honed my ability to connect with at-risk youth but also deepened my empathy and commitment to facilitating change in their lives. Prior to my work in youth support, I held various positions in the hospitality industry, where I cultivated strong communication skills and learned the importance of understanding and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds. I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University, where I am deepening my understanding of therapeutic practices and the psychological complexities that individuals face.

As a South Asian woman, I take immense pride in my cultural heritage. I recognize that culture profoundly shapes our identities, values, and interpersonal dynamics. I am particularly passionate about helping people navigate their family dynamics and reflect on their childhood experiences. I believe that understanding one’s background plays a crucial role in personal growth and healing, and I am dedicated to supporting individuals as they explore and embrace their unique narratives. 

Do any of these look familiar to what you are feeling? Here are some topics I can help with: 

• Anxiety/Depression
• Previous and/or current trauma or abuse
• Grief and loss
• Disability and/or chronic pain
• Parental care – Blended Families
• Relationship Issues
• Boundary building
• Cultural Factors
• Lifestyle transitions
• Self-Esteem issues 
• ADHD/ Mood disorders 
• Self Care 
• Phobias
• Addictions

Some Treatment approaches I specialize in : 

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Narrative Therapy
• Attachment Based
• Culturally Sensitive
• Existential
• Gestalt
• Motivational Interviewing
• Person-Centered
• Positive Psychology

• Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
• Trauma Focused

Together, we can explore your individual experiences, identify your strengths, and work towards achieving your unique therapeutic goals !