What is it like to be a counsellor?
Being a counsellor is truly humbling. I am honoured every day by those who are willing to share the darkest and brightest parts of themselves with me.
How to Begin Counselling?
Starting counselling can feel intimidating. The uncertainty of what to expect and how to begin can be overwhelming. Many people hesitate to seek the support they deserve due to fears of the unknown or concerns about being judged or perceived as weak. Sometimes we justify "putting it off" by saying we "don't have the time or the money." Other times, we delay in the hope that we can "figure it out ourselves" or believe that once certain circumstances change, things will improve. Unfortunately, this often results in more of the same difficulties.
There is no right or wrong way to begin. You start with one step: asking for help. Despite what many of us have been told, we are not meant to walk this path alone. The counselling relationship is meant to be your safe place to explore, reflect, transform, and discover the life you were intended for. While this process may require confronting painful emotions, thoughts, memories, and realities we have tried to avoid—sometimes intentionally and sometimes not—it is often through acknowledging our pain that we can truly release it.
Finding a counsellor with whom you feel comfortable and connected is essential to support you on this journey. Allowing someone else to share in both your pain and joy, your strengths and challenges, can foster the courage and skills necessary to navigate this experience. This means don't hesitate to inquire about their qualifications, training, and any other aspects that are important to you. It is not unusual, and even recommended, to meet with multiple counsellors to find the right match for your needs. Research indicates that the quality of the therapeutic relationship significantly influences positive treatment outcomes; often, the strength of this connection is more impactful than any specific technique employed. It is essential to feel safe, heard, and understood in your collaboration with your counsellor as you work toward a more satisfying life. Remember, your journey is uniquely yours, and you deserve a supportive partnership throughout this process.
There is no right or wrong way to begin. You start with one step: asking for help. Despite what many of us have been told, we are not meant to walk this path alone. The counselling relationship is meant to be your safe place to explore, reflect, transform, and discover the life you were intended for. While this process may require confronting painful emotions, thoughts, memories, and realities we have tried to avoid—sometimes intentionally and sometimes not—it is often through acknowledging our pain that we can truly release it.
Finding a counsellor with whom you feel comfortable and connected is essential to support you on this journey. Allowing someone else to share in both your pain and joy, your strengths and challenges, can foster the courage and skills necessary to navigate this experience. This means don't hesitate to inquire about their qualifications, training, and any other aspects that are important to you. It is not unusual, and even recommended, to meet with multiple counsellors to find the right match for your needs. Research indicates that the quality of the therapeutic relationship significantly influences positive treatment outcomes; often, the strength of this connection is more impactful than any specific technique employed. It is essential to feel safe, heard, and understood in your collaboration with your counsellor as you work toward a more satisfying life. Remember, your journey is uniquely yours, and you deserve a supportive partnership throughout this process.
About Me
Throughout my journey, I have been fortunate to witness the rewards of personal healing and have come to know, not just believe, that there is always hope "no matter how far down the scale we've gone." I believe each individual has the right and ability to choose which aspects of their legacy they will carry forward and which parts they will leave behind.
I have been working in the field of mental health and addictions since 2004. I hold a Master of Science in Health Promotion and Socio-Behavioural Sciences from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Calgary. Throughout my career, I have supported individuals facing a range of addictive behaviours, PTSD, complex and inter-generational trauma, and other behavioural and emotional concerns, such as low self-esteem, childhood sexual abuse, relationship challenges and interpersonal violence, family of origin issues, anxiety, depression, and grief and loss.
I am guided by a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach to healing, which means I believe that healing must address all aspects of the self. I believe that each of us is intended to experience wholeness and comfort within ourselves and in our relationships. While uncovering the underlying causes of self-defeating and self-destructive thoughts and behaviours is an important step, I also want to learn about your strengths and resilience that have brought you this far.
I believe that treatment is a collaborative process that requires us to combine our strengths, experiences, skills, and insights to develop a treatment plan that makes sense for you and your specific needs. To support your healing and help you achieve your therapy goals, I integrate components from various therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, mindfulness/ DBT, and polyvagal theory. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and hold certifications as a Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT), and Safe and Sound Protocol provider with Unyte Integrated Listening.
I have been working in the field of mental health and addictions since 2004. I hold a Master of Science in Health Promotion and Socio-Behavioural Sciences from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Calgary. Throughout my career, I have supported individuals facing a range of addictive behaviours, PTSD, complex and inter-generational trauma, and other behavioural and emotional concerns, such as low self-esteem, childhood sexual abuse, relationship challenges and interpersonal violence, family of origin issues, anxiety, depression, and grief and loss.
I am guided by a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach to healing, which means I believe that healing must address all aspects of the self. I believe that each of us is intended to experience wholeness and comfort within ourselves and in our relationships. While uncovering the underlying causes of self-defeating and self-destructive thoughts and behaviours is an important step, I also want to learn about your strengths and resilience that have brought you this far.
I believe that treatment is a collaborative process that requires us to combine our strengths, experiences, skills, and insights to develop a treatment plan that makes sense for you and your specific needs. To support your healing and help you achieve your therapy goals, I integrate components from various therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, mindfulness/ DBT, and polyvagal theory. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and hold certifications as a Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT), and Safe and Sound Protocol provider with Unyte Integrated Listening.
CCPCP-r. with the Canadian College of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists
The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta
Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and Certified Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT) with the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals
MPCC with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association
EMDR Trained Clinician and EMDRIA Member with EMDRIA
Safe & Sound Protocol Provider with Unyte Integrated Listening Therapies
The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta
Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) and Certified Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT) with the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals
MPCC with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association
EMDR Trained Clinician and EMDRIA Member with EMDRIA
Safe & Sound Protocol Provider with Unyte Integrated Listening Therapies