High Conflict Team

I’m a certified comprehensive family mediator (which also makes me a certified family relations mediator), pre-mediation coach, New Ways for Families coach and co-parenting coach. 

Those who work with me often mention that I’m soft-spoken, and get things done. 

Holding safe spaces for my clients to be themselves is integral to my work. I will seek to understand as well as accommodate each person’s unique needs so that they can come to the table at their most comfortable. I practice from a trauma-informed perspective. I’m culturally humble and actively seek continuous formal and humanistic education with regards to diversity and inclusion. I’m an ally across many spectrums. 

My role is to guide folks, and facilitate conversations that help to figure out the unfigureoutable. 

I began my career at assault services, and throughout the past two decades, I’ve been fortunate to have led a wide variety of local, regional, domestic and international teams towards the elevation of support and equity for those navigating challenging circumstances inclusive but not limited to: mental illness, family violence, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, substance use/misuse, homelessness, poverty, crisis and trauma. 

At the heart of the matter, I’m focused on your kiddos, and removing obstacles from your path.

I’ve experienced the best and the worst of co-parenting challenges, family dynamic professionals, family law professionals and the family law system as a child and as an adult. Personal and professional lived experience fuels me to help folks bring the opportunity for peace into the sunlight. 

I’m an unapologetic nerd who trains with prolific professionals and renowned educational institutions. 

I’ve been educated by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, University of Toronto, Harvard University, University of Alberta, The Justice Institute of British Columbia, The Crisis and Trauma Institute, The Institute of Child Psychology, University of Michigan, Government of British Columbia, and the High Conflict Institute (directly by Bill Eddy LCSW, Esq.) amongst a plethora of others. 

I qualify as a mediator under s.4 of the FLA (Family Law Act) in BC. I’m a member of the Family Mediation Canada, Hear the Child Society, The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada, The High Conflict Institute, and The Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario amongst others. 

Reach out! I’d love to hear from you. Let’s find real solutions that really work for you and your family.

In addition to working one on one with clients, I am also part of the High Conflict Team at Crossroads. I help support families that are experiencing challenges following any changes. I provide coaching and support to parents, children and youth through therapy. Therapy services include one to one counselling and group/family counselling sessions. This also includes observing family interactions to meet the unique needs of each person; Helping parents plan a safe, healing and therapeutic interaction between estranged parent and child; Beginning initial connection and relationship building while ensuring that the views of parents and child(ren) are acknowledged and considered in decision making. I am trained to complete Hear the Child reports which fill an important role in the separation/divorce and court involved process. Hear the Child reports allow parents and other professionals involved with the family to have the Child’s views to consider when making decisions that impact them.

I am currently a student member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and have completed my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology through UBCO. As I complete my practicum for my Masters in Counselling Psychology I will be guided by an accredited supervisor.

One form of therapy that I offer is one that is music-integrated, using a brief singing lesson at the beginning of the session. This can be helpful with those who are seeking to modulate their autonomic nervous system, reduce anxiety, depression, and stress, while building skills that will encourage mindfulness, self-confidence, and competency.

Some Specific Types of Therapy I Offer:
-Music-integrated Therapy
-Child and Youth Counselling
-Play Therapy
-Couples Therapy
-Seniors Counselling
-Virtual as well as In-Person
Some of the areas I can support you with include:
-Trauma
-Anxiety
-Depression                                                         -Building self-confidence, self-esteem, and sense of self
-Parenting
-Relationships
-Time management
-Stress management
-Goal setting
-Mindfulness-based techniques
-Health and wellness
-Personal development
-Life Transitions
-Burnout

Right now, so many people are tired, worn out and struggling with the day to day, believing that they are stuck and very much alone. My hearts passion is to help you see, that tomorrow always provides a new opportunity.

I believe that every individual has the potential and the capacity to face hardship with strength and resiliency. My passion is to help clients navigate the ever-changing landscape of their lives to discover their own strengths in the face of adversity and to celebrate the best versions of themselves. Through the therapeutic relationship I desire to create a collaborative, safe, non-judgmental and vulnerable space where clients can come to be seen, heard and known. 

Whether through unexpected or planned life transition, challenging circumstances or relationship, the daily battle with chronic illness and/or pain, or simply seeking to become the best version of themselves, my passion is to provide individuals with coping skills, management strategies and resources to gain self-confidence and motivation to move from where they are to where they want to be. I believe that our past influences our present but does not define our future. 

I have completed both my Undergraduate degree in Psychology and hold my Graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

I work most effectively with children and youth who struggle with relationship issues. Having had severe dyslexia at a young age, has given me a wealth of compassion for those who struggle in school or in life.

I have been working with young people for almost 30 years, as both a teacher and as a registered clinical counsellor. 

Being from Newfoundland, I have a profound appreciation for community, learning, and laughter. Growing up on an island, one experiences a unique sense of community that translates into helping one another whenever needed.  My love of learning began from the time I learned to read and write, which was hampered by severe dyslexia, which took me a few years to catch up to my peers.  Because I believe that laughter is the language of the soul, I seek to delight in the person I am working with.  Counselling is a partnership that, at its most effective, is built upon integrity, commitment and an unconditional respect.  

When not at my office, I love to spend time with family, reading, and playing tennis. I am insatiably fascinated by peoples’ choices and motivations. I am deeply grateful to participate in this work.

The following list below are my areas of specialization:

• School Issues
• Coping Skills
• Teen Violence
• Peer Relationships
• Stress
• Relationship Issues
• Family Conflict
• Trauma
• Self Esteem
• Spirituality

There are times where the challenges we face in our daily lives become too difficult to manage on our own. We may need someone to talk to. I can help navigate those who are looking to add meaning and purpose to their lives, generating motivation, and driving direction. The ability to achieve wellness and stability in our lives, exists somewhere inside each and every single one of us.

The disconnection we experience from the things that bring us happiness and joy may cause us to feel overwhelmed and paralyzed by stress. My aim is to provide a supportive, non-judgemental, and safe environment to help support you through life’s difficulties that may have you feeling stuck and under pressure. Lifes challenges result in emotional and psychological stress in our lives and my mission is to support you in regaining control.

My work stems from a holistic and integrative approach which includes mindfulness, breath work, and evidence-based modalities such as CBT, ACT, and DBT. I believe it is important to have a well-stocked arsenal of techniques as it enables me to effectively meet my clients needs. I assist my clients in accepting life challenges, discovering their strengths and abilities, and committing to change. My warm, gentle, empathetic, and attentive approach allows my clients to feel validated, empowered, and hopeful. I work from a variety of perspectives and work towards building self-compassion into your daily life.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Counselling. I have several years of experience working with youth on the Autism spectrum as a Behaviour Interventionist.

I have experience working with a broad range of mental health difficulties along with life challenges. I have worked alongside parents and teachers. My main areas of focus are those who present with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. I also work with those who have experienced grief/loss, life transitions (school, work, moving), anger, and conflict resolution. I have experience helping support clients in setting boundaries in place, regaining control in their lives, and practicing self-compassion and mindfulness. My background provides me with an understanding to work with couples and families through a range of issues. Throughout my years of experience, I have also worked with those who identify as LGBTQ.

My warm, gentle, and compassionate nature allows me to build trust/rapport with my clients and allows me to create a safe place to openly share all thoughts and feelings. Ever since I incorporated self-compassion and mindfulness into my own life, I have responded to challenges in my life with kindness and understanding towards myself. By soothing and comforting ourselves when we’re hurting, we offset self-criticism and feelings of failure. I believe mental health is just as important as physical health. My duty is to join you on your path towards creating space for healing, change, and improved sense of well-being.

I am a Certified Canadian Counsellor through the Canadian Counselling Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and hold a CCC license. I completed my Masters of Counselling at the University of Lethbridge in 2017. 

In the space of counselling, therapists can exhibit the traits and behaviours that our clients are missing in their daily lives. It is through these genuine connections, and feelings of care and compassion that individuals can begin to feel worthy and cared for. That they’re capable of achieving their goals and improving their sense of well-being.

The following list below are my areas of specialization:

• Assertiveness/boundaries
• Support for queer and trans folks, children, youth and couples
• Depression, anxiety & panic disorders
• Past or recent trauma or abuse
• Relationship and couples counselling
• Eating disorders
• Grief support
• Life transitions

I also utilize approaches such as CBT, SFT, mindfulness, experiential, art, and play therapy techniques.

One of the things I enjoy most about this work is being able to help adults and youth become empowered again– remind them that they are stronger than they think, that many of the resources or answers are already there, waiting to be uncovered.

Some of the hardships I have assisted people with are:

• Past traumas that they feel “stuck” with.
• Recent traumas and feeling overwhelmed.
• Working through panic attacks and other anxiety disorders
• Improving communication in relationships
• Working out boundaries and creating plans for difficult conversations

I have had the good fortune to be supporting people since 2007, when I began working in Mental Health and Addictions. I always knew that I wanted to be a trauma counsellor (growing up with a first responder for a father was bound to do that to one of us 4 kids), so I knew I needed to continue with my education and experience. In 2010 I obtained my Bachelor of Social Work degree and began working as a Probation Officer. While I enjoyed working with people and facilitating groups, probation was not where I ultimately wanted to be so I pursued my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University. After completing that practicum in 2013 and facilitating trauma groups, I began work as a trauma counsellor in a local non-profit, assisting women who had experienced childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault and/or domestic violence. More recently I have been working as a generalist counsellor, supporting people with a wide variety of issues/concerns.

My areas of specialization are:

• Addictions
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Communication/Boundaries
• Critical Incident Stress
• Depression
• Domestic Violence
• Self-Esteem
• Stress Management
• Trauma

I use the following modalities when working with clients:

• Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
• Dialectic Behavioural Therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
• Mindfulness
• Motivational Interviewing
• Narrative Therapy
• Psychoeducation

Remember changing your life takes courage, I am here for you and provide a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere to support your growth. Reach out if you are:

• A new parent or having parenting challenges.
• Struggling with your mental health or addiction.
• Facing a career change or feeling unsatisfied with your current career.
• Feeling stuck.
• Unsatisfied in your relationship.
• Scared you are not reaching your full potential.

Since completing my Masters in Counselling Psychology with Yorkville University, the collective at Crossroads has supported me to strengthen my clinical skills through creating opportunities for personal growth and reflection.

I completed my Bachelor of Arts with a Psychology Major from Simon Fraser University in 2001 and between then and now I have acted as a personal counsellor, a group facilitator, a visitation & access supervisor, a family worker and a parent educator which entailed completing parenting assessments.  Further to this I foster parented a youngster who had fetal alcohol syndrome and have worked with neurodiverse populations across all faucets of my professional career.

I believe that we all have the capacity for personal excellence and it is my contagious enthusiasm for life that I hope to pass along to you during our session time together. I am empathic, genuine in my interventions and compassionate to all cultural, sexual orientation and socio-economic backgrounds. I will meet you with warmth, trust and respect.

You are not alone, every journey starts with a single step.

At times, we all wonder if our present-day realities are aligned with our intended paths. Was it the right time? The right job? The right relationship? Is this as good as it gets? Am I happy? Am I fulfilled? If you experience anxiety, depression, confusion or simply feel alone, counselling can offer opportunities for a deeper sense of connection to yourself, your relationships, and your life. I am here to walk alongside of you, to listen to your goals, desires and needs. Whether it is sharing long kept secrets, traumas, or personal revelations I am here to connect with you.

The following list below are my areas of specialization:

• Supporting change/transitions.
• Overcoming barriers.
• Building confidence, self-esteem and sense of self.
• Depression & anxiety.
• Managing intense feelings, emotional regulation and anger management.
• Past or recent trauma or abuse.
• Parenting challenges.
• Relationship and couples counselling.
• Infidelity.
• Addictions.
• Divorce, separation and blended families.
• Navigating strained relationships.
• Life transitions.
• Gender dysphoria, LGBTQ transitions & other issues.
• Communication building.
• Grief counselling.
• Career planning.
• Family planning at transitional ages: birth, school age and adult.
• Personal goal attainment.
• Issues with body image, health & ablism.

I have experience with children, youth, individuals, couples, and with family systems.

I completed a Bachelors in Psychology, Counselling and Human Development from Simon Fraser University and have pursued my Masters in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. I have been working in the helping field for several years and have specific training in areas of child development, children with special needs, parent coaching, attachment, and trauma. I come from a family systems background which understands the various challenges within a person’s life, develops goals to address these, and increase overall wellness for themselves and in their relationships.

Below are the areas of specialization:

• Individual work: boundaries, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, healthy relationships, emotion regulation, trauma, anger management, neurodivergence, life transitions
• Family Systems: Family conflict, family violence, divorce and separation, blended families, parenting skills and parent coaching, therapeutic access, family enhancement for families involved with MCFD, attachment, co-parent coaching.
• Play therapy, children with special needs, neurodivergence, attachment, developmental trauma, child development, parenting skills, behaviour support, support with school-based teams, mental health challenges, anxiety, and more

My focus areas have given me a greater appreciation for relationships with others, including the connection in the counselling room. This process is a very vulnerable one. My goal is to provide therapy with compassion, understanding, and respect for the challenges and hardships that you are facing. Please watch my video and reach out to Crossroads Collective if you feel that we would be a good match.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) through BCACC. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Masters of Counselling from City University and currently, I am working towards becoming a Certified Play Therapist. Prior to counselling, I worked as a Kindergarten Teacher for nearly 10 years. It was this role as an early childhood educator that ignited my desire to help children through the challenges of life with more depth and meaning. It fuelled my curiosity around attachment theory and how adverse childhood experiences affect the developing brain, impacting children’s emotional and developmental trajectory. Which ultimately filters into our lives as adults. 

I am passionate about helping young children, youth, and adults process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a way that grants them the awareness that they are truly capable and worthy. Through a person-centered, holistic and collaborative approach, my practice aims to help shift unhelpful thinking and exercise healthy coping. I’ll help you identify the physiological responses, process the root cause and learn effective self-regulation to make daily life feel lighter and more enjoyable.  I am equally as enthusiastic to work with caregivers and families to support in better understanding the why behind behaviours, strategies for dealing with diverse needs, and personal struggles.   

My approach is integrative and based on your unique needs; I may utilize CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, Somatic Practices, Play Therapy and Psychoeducation. I work within a range of areas such as:

• Emotional Regulation
• Coping Skills
• Boundaries
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Early childhood development
• Parenting
• Pregnancy, prenatal, postpartum
• Trauma
• Divorce/Separation
• Life Transitions
• Family dynamics
• Self-esteem
• Grief and loss

Everyone deserves a safe, trusting space to share and unpack their story. It would be an honour to walk alongside you as you rise through this and find inner peace.