About Me
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If I were in your shoes looking for a counsellor, I’d want to get to know a bit about what they are like as a person and how they interpret the way the world works. Let me help you fill in the blanks to see if we’re a fit.
Growing up on the east coast surrounded by the roar of the ocean lit a fire in me from a young age. I’ve always been a no nonsense person with a take no prisoners attitude. When it comes to counselling, that translates to me being the therapist who is here to work diligently alongside you in your journey, and I expect you to work just as hard.
Accountability is very important to me. My clients not only accept accountability but also look for where they can take responsibility. This is a key component to the success of our work together. Some may call me tough, yet in the same breath I’ve been told they’d also call me fair, loyal, dependable, and fiercely committed to helping you achieve whatever you set out to in your life.
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I work primarily under the specialty umbrella of life transitions, not only because I have extensive training in ways to help those going through transitions but also because I have gone through many myself.
I have moved to live in many cities, gone to multiple universities, opened and closed the book on a few friendships and intimate partnerships, worked in countless different jobs, lost many loved ones and pets to death, grieved friends I’ve had to leave or who have moved away from me, gone through medical and physical conditions that have changed my identity as well as the potential future I could have, dealt with suicide attempts of family members, loss of income and housing security… and so with all of these transitions as well as my education I believe I’m well suited for helping others who are going through any type of transition.
I do believe it is important to know that although we may not have gone through the same thing, it is my belief that the underlying ways in which anyone can learn to cope successfully with transitions share some commonalities. In the 5,000+ hours I’ve spent counselling people, many similarities have popped up. Connection brings about commonalities and although we aren’t the same, I can most likely relate to a lot you are experiencing. I won’t fill your shoes the exact same way you do, but I will certainly step into them, work hard to understand your experience, and help you figure out the best way to deal with whatever you are going through.
My ultimate goal as your counsellor is to make you feel comfortable, to connect and empathize with you. I want you to feel as if you have someone to support you and fight for you. I want you to feel validated and heard. I want you to grow strong through our work together and to feel as if you can accomplish whatever you set out to. I like to view myself as a bit of a safety net: if you can envision yourself taking a leap of faith and trusting that I have your best interest at heart, I will commit to be here for you if you should need help through the process. In learning new skills and trying new ways of overcoming problems we all stumble. It is my belief that how we look at that stumble really matters. I’m a fan of the idea that we take two steps forward and then take one step sideways, never losing our progress just getting off-track occasionally.
Together we can get you back on track and taking fewer side steps.
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My approach to counselling is very constructivist. What that means is that I custom build the way we will work together based on how you view and operate within the world. There isn’t one mold that fits all people and so we will work together to find what works best for you. I pull from a bunch of different therapeutic models to help create our custom plan.
If you are wondering about my educational and experiential background, here is a little information for you. I hold a Masters of Counselling degree and am also a Canadian Certified Counsellor through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Prior to achieving my Masters and certification, I completed two undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Criminology.
I have also volunteered at many amazing places including The Vancouver Crisis centre, 1-800-suicide, various soup kitchens, cancer fundraising events, rehabilitative horse encounters including Rainbow Riders and Shamrock Equine Counselling Centre, as well as Habitat for Humanity Women Build days.
Through all of my education and volunteer work my primary goal was to learn more about people, get connected with them, help out wherever I could, and solve any problems I am capable of solving.
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Registered Clinical Counsellors
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Low-Cost Counselling
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A little about Strong Counselling
I started this private practice over 7 years ago and have loved every minute of it.
Some clients I only see for a couple sessions whereas other I’ve been with for the duration of my practice. This year Strong Counselling was fortunate enough to have been selected for the Consumers Choice award for counselling services in Vancouver, BC.
I was very shocked and humbled to have been chosen to receive this award and greatly appreciate anyone who voted for Strong Counselling to be chosen as the winner. If you’d like to learn a little more about the award please feel free to visit the CCA website.
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Link URL: https://www.ccaward.com/award-winners/vancouver/best-counselling-services/strong-counselling/