I feel most rejuvenated when I stay physically active, am intentional about connecting with friends and family, and take time to organize my home and workspace.

I struggled to find solid ground as a teenager. When I needed it most, my high school counsellor offered me a safe and compassionate place to land. I felt seen and understood. I eventually felt hopeful for the future. This first experience in counselling changed my life’s trajectory and laid the foundation for my commitment to mental health. I became a counsellor with the aspiration of providing others with a similarly safe and non-judgmental space to feel truly seen and understood.

My ability to be courageous in response to anxiety. Like so many others, I too often dread public speaking. Nevertheless, and to my surprise, I always seem to find the courage to perform at my best. With time I have started to view anxiety as part of the thrill! Overcoming aspects of my own anxiety only further bolsters my confidence that other people have the tools necessary to overcome their mental health hurdles.

A drummer in a rock band! I still enjoy drumming in my free time.

I’m grinding coffee beans, biking around the city, or watching cooking shows with my partner in the evenings. During holidays you might find me hiking in the mountains of BC or the deserts of Utah.

While it is completely valuable to seek counselling when a specific concern has gripped you or your relationship, it is worth noting that the process of therapy may lead to feelings, realizations, and paths of exploration that you did not anticipate. Much of therapy is an emergent process. For example, although we work towards specific goals concerning your well-being or relationships, it may also be worth following the thread of, “What feels important to talk about today?”

I always appreciate witnessing the courage people and couples show as we begin to form a therapeutic relationship. As I know from my own experience in therapy, it can be daunting to let someone into your inner world. We start as total strangers and yet often over the course of only a few sessions, we form the foundations of a robust and collaborative relationship that has the potential to securely hold deeply vulnerable and transformative experiences. It is an honour to get to know clients as deeply as I do.

Warm, down-to-earth, and transparent. I’m frequently told that my presence feels safe and inviting.

“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” – Helen Keller

Being human isn’t always easy! It is our capacity to overcome personal and collective hardship that keeps me optimistic about the future.