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 the area of 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 play a part as the CCPA AAT in Counseling Chapter has come together to collaboratively establish a standard for both training and certification of AAT, recognizing the ethical implications for counselor, 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 Animal Assisted Therapy in Counselling. There are many things we can learn about ourselves by working with animals, broadening internal and external awareness, and making connections on different levels to enhance our journeys in life. Stated in their mission statement, one of the primary objectives of the Animal Assisted Therapy in Counselling Chapter of the CCPA is to promote, and advocate, with full consultation with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, for the acceptance of Counsellors working in Animal-Assisted Therapy in Counselling as mental health professionals and for greater understanding and recognition of our animal therapeutic assistants as “colleagues” (legitimacy of their working roles).
