I am in the business of helping people become themselves. In other words, I think that every person has a unique and beautiful core self that holds the blueprint for a deeply fulfilling and meaningful life. However, life can be painful and sometimes we need to move away from who we are in order to survive.
It is my passion and joy to meet people in these places, work towards understanding our defenses, and together move towards whatever lies beneath. I’m honoured that you would consider inviting me to join you in this journey. I consider it a sacred privilege to discover what it means to live fully and freely. I grew up as a sensitive child, but soon learned that expressing my emotions was not acceptable. I didn’t want to be perceived as weak, so I learned to repress my feelings and hide behind a guise of strength and stability. Eventually, however, this become too painful and I could mask who I was no longer. I sought therapy and began to reconnect with my inner child – the free, innocent boy that did not fear the gaze of others. I learned along the way that healing would come through relationships with the caring, trustworthy people in my life. As I slowly learned to be vulnerable with those around me, I decided to pursue the field of counselling to similarly provide a space for others who are hurting. Having experienced the power of human connection amidst pain, I dedicated my time and energy to understanding how best to meet others in their respective struggles.
My Professional Biography
I completed my MA in Counselling Psychology from Trinity Western University and my undergraduate degree in Counselling and Human Services from Columbia Bible College. I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and a member in good standing with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
My Counselling Approach
Human relationships can be a tremendous source of joy and delight. However, they also can be a catalyst for significant pain and suffering. I believe that in the same way that hurt and shame can occur in the context of relationships, so can healing, restoration, and renewal. Because of this, I approach therapy with an attitude of warmth, compassion, and curiosity. I operate from a lens that is highly relational and experiential, as I believe that change occurs when people experience something new and corrective in the here-and-now. I love having the privilege of walking alongside others in this way. My counselling orientation is informed by the trainings I have completed, particularly Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I find these counselling models to be elegant, non-pathologizing tools that harness our built-in movement toward healing and growth. I truly believe that we are wired to thrive, not just survive!
I would love to meet you and hear your story!
