ABOUT ME
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor, with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. Currently, I am pursuing a Doctorate at the University of Victoria in the Faculty of Human Development, School of Child & Youth Care. Through my graduate studies at the University of Victoria I focused my practice on child and youth mental health working for a year at one of the Vancouver Island BC Child & Youth Mental Health clinics. I have arrived at this work naturally, having been inspired by the years I’ve spent raising my four children.
I enjoy and hold precious the opportunity to work with people during sensitive and transitional stages of life. I am particularly enamored with connecting with clients in the natural world. When it suits, some clients may choose to spend sessions in the garden or forest. My theoretical vantage point is broad with an emphasis on keeping my heart open and not judging others. I work from a psychodynamic and attachment-based perspective and take inspiration from the work of Donald Winnicott among others. On occasion, my small labradoodle, Angie, works alongside me as a co-therapist and companion.
Child Therapy
Just like adults, children can also benefit from therapy. There can be times that children need help with family issues, a death, illness, divorce, or economic troubles. There isn’t always a direct connection between what is making a child withdraw, seem anxious or worried or experience emotional stress. I focus on developing a strong connection with the individual child to help build self-esteem, and improve their relationships and communication. I believe that play is the language of communication for children and that children thrive with a stronger connection to the natural world around them. With children, I partner with nature and in the world of play. Sessions may take place in the garden or inside the playroom. Nature play therapy is a way of engaging with children in a natural setting to help them express themselves, exercise their imagination, stimulate poetic expression, and begin to understand the workings of the world around them.
Issues of Concern:
Anxiety
Self Regulation
Depression
Behavioral concerns
Social anxiety
Health related issues
High Functioning Autism spectrum disorder (formerly Aspergers Syndrome)
Emotional regulation
Teen Therapy
Teens can also benefit from therapy. Issues that may arise include school stress, violence, or bullying, Some teens need help navigating family transitions, a death, divorce, moving, a serious illness or other trauma. Other teens may experience anxiety or depression without a specified cause. I focus on connection, building self-esteem, improving relationships and communication. Together I help teens find their creative inner selves and talk about their thoughts and feelings in a safe, collaborative and non-judgemental space. Exploring the natural world will be led by the client. We may have some sessions outdoors in the garden, walking or hiking. Other teens will prefer meeting inside and our work together will be more metaphorical with an awareness of the natural world. I enjoy using mindfulness meditation techniques to help teens experience their own inner sense of calm and presence in the moment.
Issues of Concern:
Anxiety
Depression
Relationship concerns
Behavioral concerns
Social anxiety
Health related issues
High Functioning Autism spectrum disorder (formerly Aspergers Syndrome)
Emotional regulation
Adult Therapy
Psychotherapy can help clients discover their inner strengths and develop insight through reflecting on past and present experiences and discovering ways of developing greater control and consciousness about choices for the future. Working through emotional issues and life transitions I emphasize providing a safe environment to explore deeply the issues that bring clients to therapy, where there is no fear of being judged. Nature based approaches form an integral part of my practice. Exploring the natural world will be client led. For some adults this may mean choosing to have some sessions outdoors. For others therapy will take place in a traditional setting and our awareness of the natural world may be a metaphor for inner work and growth. Some clients may find mindfulness meditation and other visualization techniques are helpful in increasing the experience of their own inner sense of calm and presence in the moment.
Issues of Concern:
Anxiety
Depression
Relationship concerns
Parenting concerns
Behavioral concerns
Social anxiety
Health related issues
High Functioning Autism spectrum disorder (formerly Aspergers Syndrome)
Emotional regulation