My Background
Having been born and raised in Chilliwack, I am so thrilled to be offering mental health services to our community as a Canadian Certified Counsellor. I have a graduate degree in Counselling Psychology and a further educational background in Health Sciences and Therapeutic Recreation. I am passionate about working with individuals with chronic pain and in supporting others to connect with who they are and who they want to be. My areas of focus include: emotional expression, life transition, body image & embodiment, and chronic pain. I have training in Existential Analysis (EA) and am a trained provider of the trauma-therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
My Approach
“You have been given questions to which you cannot be given answers. You will have to live them out - perhaps a little at a time."
"And how long is that going to take?"
"I don't know. As long as you live, perhaps."
"That could be a long time."
"I will tell you a further mystery," he said. "It may take longer.”
― Wendell Berry, Jayber Crow
Each day, life presents us with questions that may be difficult to answer. Sometimes we know the answer but do not know how to get there, at other times the answer may feel out of reach. Counselling can help.
In two words I practice existentially and experientially. When the word existential comes up people often think of death and, yes, this can be part of existential therapy, but so is life. What is it like to be alive here and now? What does it mean to be who we are? Do we have spaces to be ourselves in the world? Where do we feel most fulfilled? Exploring these questions can bring us closer to who we are and who we want to be. From an experiential standpoint, counselling is the opportunity to welcome emotion and experience something new in relationship. We do not become who we are without the presence of others and a focus of our work together can be for you to experience safety, trust, warmth, and non-judgmental care. Depending on your needs and preferences I also incorporate lens of attachment, CBT, and DBT, always using trauma-informed practice. Traditional talk therapy isn't for everyone, and that is why I also use techniques like Sand Tray, play, and art to help meet your goals for yourself or your family.
I believe that each of us holds our own answers to life already, but along the way we may benefit from having someone accompany us as we move towards healing. It is a great privilege for me to walk with others through times of suffering and times of strength. May you know and feel that you are worthy of such accompaniment.
Unsure if we would be a good fit? Contact me to set up a free 15-minute consultation.