My Story

I was born and raised in a small, rural community in northern BC by immigrant parents of French and Belgian heritage. I made Vancouver my home soon after graduating high school. I have travelled extensively in Africa, Asia and Europe and lived in various parts of the world learning about life from the perspective of different cultures. 

For as long as I can remember I have had a passion for understanding human nature, a love of listening to human experiences and a desire to support others wherever they may be on their life journey .

Professional Life

I have worked in the human service field for over 18 years. 

I became a social worker after completing a degree in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria. I worked as a social worker with children, youth and families in Vancouver, northern BC and internationally. 

I went on to receive a Master of Counselling degree from the University of Calgary. I am a registered Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. I am in private practice in Vancouver and in northern BC. I also worked as a Child and Youth Mental Health Clinician with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and as a trauma therapist for youth with a non profit organization called BC Borstal Association.

Furthermore, I am a certified yoga instructor. 

I have extensive work experience and training in trauma. Trauma is defined as the reaction to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. Trauma can result from a single event such as a car accident or the death of a loved one, or multiple events (chronic and re-occurring) such as neglect and other forms of abuse. The emotional and psychological impact of trauma can be long lasting. Nonetheless, people are resilient and can discover ways to heal and live a full and healthy life. Counselling is one of ways to get support along this journey.

My Philosophy

“Relationships are the single most important source of satisfaction in life while also being the most potent source of human misery. “

Reis, HT, Gable SL: Toward a Positive Psychology of Relationships

My years of study and work in trauma and resiliency has taught me that our personality is always being shaped by the environments we live in. Our families, friendships, culture, society and our experiences influence our beliefs about ourselves and others.

Relationships play an important role in shaping who we are and who we become. We may adopt both, healthy and maladaptive beliefs and behaviours learned from our experiences and relationships.

Connections to others matter. If you have been wounded in relationship with another (parent) or lost a loved one, you can also heal in relationship with others (a friend, a beloved dog).

Change is possible at any stage of life (our physical body/brain, thoughts and emotions are malleable). Even if you have experienced trauma, have been wounded in relationships and/or have maladaptive beliefs and behaviours you can change. You may not always be able to change the situation but you can change the way you think, feel and act.

As a therapist my aim is to provide support and guidance to help you wherever you may be in life - to live well, to heal, to find meaning and to be your authentic self.