My Practice

I believe that counselling presents an opportunity to understand ourselves and others better, to harness our strengths and move towards a more fulfilling life.

About Me

I have a B.A. in Psychology (Honors) from the University of Victoria and an M.A. in Counselling Psychology from McGill University. For the last 15 years I have been helping people with family and relationship difficulties, child behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and other challenges. In addition to private practice, I have worked with residential treatment programs, school support services, and community mental health agencies. I provide services in both English and French.

I have been a member of the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors since 2005 and work in accordance with its Code of Ethical Conduct. I am dedicated to ongoing professional development.

Therapeutic Approach

I use an integrative approach in my work with clients, drawing from several different psychotherapeutic frameworks. I adapt the approach to best meet the needs, goals, preferences, and situations of my clients. I believe strongly in the importance of the counselling relationship and strive to create a safe, non-judgmental, and collaborative environment.

Some of the approaches that guide my work include the following:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the idea that inaccurate thoughts and beliefs can lead to negative emotions, such as anxiety and depression, and unhealthy behaviors, such as overeating and substance abuse. Through exploration and observations you can gain a greater awareness of your thoughts and beliefs and learn how they shape your experiences. With this awareness you can learn to adopt more realistic viewpoints and healthier behaviors that can lead to a greater sense of well being.

Person-Centered Therapy
In person-centered therapy the emphasis is on developing a therapeutic relationship that is characterized by non-judgmental caring, empathy, and trust. Within this relationship clients are encouraged to harness their strengths and can be empowered to bring about meaningful self-directed growth.

Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on developing awareness of feelings and thoughts that were previously not a part of conscious awareness. These “unconscious” states may be based on past early experiences and can lead to negative feelings and actions in our everyday lives. When these unconscious states are brought into conscious awareness in therapy, a person can have valuable insights that help him or her move towards more effective ways of dealing with problematic situations and a greater sense of well-being.

Emotion-Focused Therapy
Emotion-focused therapy emphasizes the role emotions play in influencing motivation and actions. It provides clients with the opportunity to develop emotional awareness skills through exploration and focused awareness exercises. The approach can be especially helpful in establishing or repairing bonds between couples and family members.