I am Registered Psychotherapist within the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, and a CCPA Canadian Certified Counsellor with a Masters Degree in Counselling founded on a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Sociology. In addition, I am certified in Complex Trauma and Child Sexual Abuse Intervention, have on-going training in areas of Somatic Experiencing (post advance level), Expressive Therapies, Mindfulness and in the area of Animal Assisted Therapy in Counselling.
My experiences as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist stem from a variety of mental health environments, educational settings, and in the community working with various marginalized and vulnerable populations including youths and adults struggling with mental health challenges/serious emotional difficulties,
addictions or concurrent disorders, recovery and relapse prevention, individuals with behavioural or cognitive challenges, child and adult survivors of violence and sexual abuse trauma,
individuals in debilitating psychological crisis, students in need of vocational support and guidance, individuals and families mandated by court or ministry, and populations who seek general counseling support to help manage day to day stress.
(Please take a look at Services Offered)
I have found that an eclectic approach, with a mindfulness and strength-based foundation, tailored to each individual, is essential in assisting clients with various overlapping challenges, which motivates me to continuously engage in research and professional development.
My experiences as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist stem from a variety of mental health environments, educational settings, and in the community working with various marginalized and vulnerable populations including youths and adults struggling with mental health challenges/serious emotional difficulties,
addictions or concurrent disorders, recovery and relapse prevention, individuals with behavioural or cognitive challenges, child and adult survivors of violence and sexual abuse trauma,
individuals in debilitating psychological crisis, students in need of vocational support and guidance, individuals and families mandated by court or ministry, and populations who seek general counseling support to help manage day to day stress.
(Please take a look at Services Offered)
I have found that an eclectic approach, with a mindfulness and strength-based foundation, tailored to each individual, is essential in assisting clients with various overlapping challenges, which motivates me to continuously engage in research and professional development.
The area of Animal Assisted Therapy in counseling has been an aspiration of mine for some time, and am enthusiastic to promote the therapeutic benefits of AAT in my Psychotherapy practice. As one of the founding members of the AAT in Counseling Chapter of the CCPA, I worked collaboratively to establish a standard for both training and certification of AAT in Canada, recognizing the ethical implications for counselor/therapist, client and therapeutic animal alike. There are many diverse items to consider in this endeavor, and I am pleased to be working alongside a competent group of professionals to ensure best practices for AAT in C. There is much we can learn about ourselves by working with animals, broadening internal and external awareness, helping to regulate our nervous system, and making connections on different levels to enhance our journeys in life. Stated in their mission statement, one of the primary objectives of the AAT in C Chapter is to promote, and advocate, with full consultation with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, for the acceptance of AAT in the treatment of mental health and for greater understanding and recognition of our animal therapeutic assistants as “colleagues” (legitimacy of their working roles).
In my Complex Trauma and Childhood Sexual Abuse Intervention certification I was formally introduced to Somatic Experiencing, founded by Peter Levine. One of the inital challenges in the recovery process for those who have experienced trauma(s) is the inability to access the cognitive tools and strategies while in survival mode. As trauma is stored in the body and nervous system, it makes sense to me how effective this modality is as the first step in trauma work. During the three years of study with the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute and utilizing my own nervous system in my learning, I can attest to the incredible benefits of the modality.
