About Me
Ever since I was young, I was one to reach out to those in pain and come alongside those who needed support. As I grew older, I often found myself looking beyond surface appearances and behaviours to who people were at their core. I had a developing passion to see others thrive and connect with the fullness of who they were meant to be. I have also experienced the beauty of therapeutic support in my own healing journey, both personally and with my family. I hold much hope for the possibility of healing and restoration in families after experiencing what I had thought was impossible with mine.
Eventually these various experiences led me to pursue a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Trinity Western University and become a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). I had the joy of working for a number of years as the Director of Counselling at a residential counselling program for women facing a variety of life-controlling struggles prior to transitioning into private practice. My clients are some of the most courageous and resilient people I know, and it is an ongoing privilege to be part of their journeys.
In my spare time you would find me soaking in the beauty of nature, particularly hiking in the mountains or playing in the ocean. I also like to read, explore new foods and places, and connect with friends and family.
A Little Extra
I often am drawn to trees and plants when I ponder images that depict the growth and healing journey. Plants flourish when they are in conditions that support and nurture their growth. In a similar way, humans are designed to heal, grow and flourish when in a relational environment that cultivates this process.
When I think of flourishing plants, the image that immediately comes to mind is the lush beauty of the countryside in Rwanda. This image seemed appropriate as I reflected upon what I have learned about growth and healing from visiting Rwanda. When I learned about the Rwandan genocide and subsequent healing process, I was impacted by the stories of a people who have been through so much suffering and loss, yet chose to courageously face their pain together rather than deny, avoid, or justify what had happened. They did not want the past to repeat itself, so they have intentionally engaged in a healing and reconciliation process that has led to the ongoing restoration of vibrant and joyful communities. I think we have a lot to learn from the Rwandan people. As we lean into our pain and process through it in community, the possibility of healing and restoration opens up to us. While it is important to acknowledge that reconciliation is not possible in all circumstances, it is possible to experience healing from the impacts of past or present pain in order to flourish.
My hope is to offer a relational environment that would provide a safe place for you to process through pain as well as cultivate healing and growth. Where possible, I would also hope to support mutual flourishing in your other relationships as well.
I wanted there to be intentionality and meaning behind what I chose for a logo to represent this counselling space. My logo includes a banana leaf, as banana trees commonly contribute to the lushness of the Rwandan countryside, and reminds me of what I shared above. I also found it appropriate that in many cultures banana trees symbolize life, healing, and fruitfulness. The other part of my logo is an evergreen branch. One of the reasons I included this image is because evergreen trees are green in every season. It reminds me that it is possible to learn to grow and flourish in every season, which is what I hope for both myself and my clients.