Online Counselling in BC

In my practice, I emphasize creating a trusting professional relationship using compassion, empathy and understanding your circumstance more clearly. With added support and education, we can alleviate the current intensity of the struggle or difficult situation.

I am a Registered Clinical counsellor and a Registered Social Worker and have been in private practice for over 20 years. I have worked in the health field as counsellor, advocate, coach, and group facilitator assisting people in the areas of:

• Child development and Parenting Struggles
• Suicide ideation and mental health in Children
• Separation and Divorce
• Depression and Anxiety / Mood Disorders
• Grief and Loss counselling
• Past or Recent Trauma
• Communication / Anger Management
• Assertiveness and Boundaries
• Life Transitions
• Personal development
• Relationship and couples counselling
• Eating disorders and addictions
• Gender dysphoria, LGBTQ transitions & other issues

Some tools/training that I use in my sessions

• CBT
• Emotion regulation
• Resilience building
• Sleep Hygiene

I practice and value the client centered model knowing that you have your own answers. At this time in your personal or professional struggle, you may simply require different and unique questioning to come to a clearer understanding of your current situation. The single most important first step is to align with someone you will quickly know, like and trust so that you can be as open and honest as your forge a new path for yourself.  I am intuitive, astute and personable and would be honored to join you on your journey to a deeper understanding of your resilience and personal development.

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

I found my passion helping people through turmoil and hardship early in my career. I worked in crisis response and coaching for young adults and their families for a decade, supporting people through some of the worst moments of their lives. I’ve worked with individuals with diverse needs, many experiencing mental health crises. I moved into supporting children and youth, exploring how someone’s behaviour and routine can be a tool to supporting their wellness.

I’m currently completing a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. I also have been fortunate to have taken a plethora of training and certification opportunities about crisis response, paramedicine, and leadership.

Some of my focus areas for counselling include: crisis counselling, trauma counselling (acute or historic), grief and loss counseling, LGBTQ2S+ support, anxiety, depression, youth & adolescence counselling, and addictions counselling. I work with individuals of all age groups, despite my experiences lending to younger populations.

Through my professional, personal, and educational experience, I have developed a passion for supporting others through hardships and celebrating their path to wellness. I understand that journey is seldom easy, and requires a lot of effort, dedication, and care to reach what can feel like an ever-changing horizon. I hope to join you on that journey together.

I am a Registered Professional Counsellor- Candidate (RPC-C) through the Canadian Professional Counsellor’s Association (CPCA). I am also registered through the CPCA and hold an RPC-C designation. I completed my Diploma of Applied Psychology and Counselling Specializing in Counselling at Kelowna College of Professional Counselling in July of 2020. While completing my schooling, I volunteered at KCR as a counsellor and outreach worker. Helping all types of people in whatever situation they were in. I believe that with my education and volunteer experience it has allowed me to hone my personal skills to help others and gave me the tools I need to help people get the necessary confidence to create change for themselves.

The following list below are my areas of specialization:

• Personal development
•  Assertiveness / Boundaries
• Depression, anxiety & panic disorders
•  Suicidal Ideation
• Suicide Crisis Intervention
• Past or recent trauma
• Mental and or Physical abuse
• Low self-worth/ Confidence / Self esteem
• Relationship and couples counselling
• Drug and Alcohol Addictions
• Gender dysphoria, LGBTQ transitions & other issues
• Communication building
• Grief/ Loss counselling
• Career planning

Starting the path to healing can be daunting which is why I strive to create a warm and safe place for you to lay down your burden without fear of judgement. I’ll walk beside you as you begin the journey of healing, exploring, and (re)discovering your Self to a stronger, calmer, empowered You.

I am a Registered Professional Counsellor Candidate with the Canadian Professional Counsellor’s Association (CPCA license # 4417), and work under the supervision of approved senior counsellors whilst I accumulate the hours to full designation.

My education and professional background is rich and varied as I have pivoted with life’s challenges; a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts (drama) from the University of Calgary, a global career in finance, and lastly the Applied Psychology and Professional Counselling diploma from Kelowna College of Professional Counsellors bringing me full circle into the exploration and support of humanity.

The following list below are my areas of specialization:

• Grief counselling
• Life transitions
• Assertiveness, boundaries and personal development
• Depression, anxiety and panic disorders
• Anger management and emotional regulation
• Motherhood, identity and women’s issues

I am an intern counsellor, which means that I have completed my formal education, and I am now able to see clients under the supervision of a more experienced therapist. I hold a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta and I am currently enrolled in my last term at Yorkville University in the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology practicum. I am a student member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and both myself and my practicum supervisor are held to the highest ethical and professional standards as determined by the BCACC when working with clients.

I am a passionate professional who continues to strive to improve my skillset while bringing passion to working with both youth and adults in hopes of providing them further opportunities to thrive and grow as they overcome the challenges of life.  My culturally informed style of counselling is a blend of humanistic and client-centered theoretical approaches in which I apply a variety of different techniques based on the need of the individual client.

 I have been blessed with a vast range of experiences in my professional career as a teacher, program director, athlete, coach, father of 3 adult children, and a small business owner. As a result of these opportunities and experiences, I feel I have a balanced perspective and a wide range of skills, interests, and abilities that make me very adaptable to any new challenge set before me. I also feel that this well-rounded skill set, coupled with having overcome challenges in my own life will serve me well as I continue to seek new opportunities to connect with and help people as a counsellor.

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