About me:

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, I support people in listening to the wisdom of their bodies and uncovering new ways of being with themselves. My approach weaves together body awareness, creativity, and connection to the natural world. I believe that rest, joy, and pleasure are not luxuries, but essential human rights. With respect for diverse spiritual traditions and personal journeys, I offer a compassionate space where healing and growth can unfold.

My influences

I am deeply connected to the rhythms of Vancouver Island, where I grew up surrounded by nature, movement, animals, and art. My path has been eclectic—shaped by curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong search for meaning and healing. Living with chronic illness and invisible disability, and walking the road of single parenthood, has taught me the complexity of being human. These experiences ground my empathy and inform the way I work: with respect for the body, openness to many ways of knowing, and trust in each person’s capacity to find what supports them.

Professional Credentials and Qualifications:

My work is shaped both by lived experience and by ongoing professional learning. Here are some of the trainings that inform my practice.

  • I hold an M.Ed from the University of Victoria 2008. In addition, I hold two undergraduate degrees with distinction - a BA in English and a B.Ed in Visual Art Education.

  • I have been a Registered Clinical Counsellor through the BCACC since 2009. My registration number is 3318.

  • I began training in Somatic Experiencing in 2009 and have trained with Linda Stelte, Berns Galloway, Kathy Kain, Dea Parsanishi and Debra Clydesdale. I am now a Practitioner and Registered Member with Trauma Healing International.

  • I am a Registered Teacher in the Province of British Columbia through the BCTF with Specializations in English, Visual Art and Counselling

  • Breathwork and Movement Therapist: Certificate in Breathwork and Movement Therapy for Trauma Healing - The Embody Lab with Dr Amber Elizabeth Gray, Dr. Angela Greyson, Dr. Scott Lyons, Manuela Mischke-Reeds, Dr. Arielle Schwartz, Kai Cheng Thom, Dr. Rae Johnson, Dr Charne Furcron, and Dr Rossario Sammartino (2025)

    Quantum Biology of Trauma - with Dr. Catherine Clinton (ongoing)

    Somatic Experiencing International: Coherence in Motion: An introduction to the Tools of Developmental Movement - with Deborah Clydesdale and Mark Taylor, May 2025.

    Pacifica Graduate Institute: Finding Ourselves in Fairy Tales. Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy with Dr. Sharon Blackie. (Ongoing)

    Introduction to Nature Based Therapy - with Human Nature Counselling, Victoria BC 2024

    Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga: Simple Practices to Enhance Wellbeing - With Dr. Arielle Swartz 2024

    200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification Yoga Renew

    Introduction to Equine Facilitated Wellness - through Generations Farm, Nanaimo BC 2024

    Somatic EMDR Practitioner Certificate - Embody Lab, 2024

    San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training: Core Mental Health First Nations Health Authority

    Introduction to Gender Diversity (2023) Provincial Health Services Authority

    Trans Rights Toolkit (2023) Provincial Health Services Authority

    Polyvagal Theory for Somatic Experiencing Practitioners: 2023 The Polyvagal Institute: Deb Dana and Dr. Stephen Porges

    The Vital Connection: The Power to Parent: 2018 The Neufeld Institute, Vancouver BC with Dr Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D

    Mind Up – Mindful Social Emotional Learning for Children: 2013 Vancouver School District Professional Development Series

    Birth Story Listening: 2012 Birthing from Within Counselling Skills Training With Pam England

    Externship in Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples; 2008 Nanaimo B.C., with Leanne Campbell, Ph.D

    Career and Lifespan Development;2008 Victoria, B.C., with Brad Temple, Ph.D

    Counselling for Grief and Loss; 2008 Tsawassen, B.C., with Nancy Reeves, Ph.D

    Diversity, Culture and Counselling;2007 Tsawassen, B.C. with Norah Trace, Ph.D

    Indigenous Approaches to Helping and Healing: 2006 Victoria BC, with Dr. Robina Thomas

    Group Facilitation; 2006 Victoria, B.C. with Tim Black, Ph.D

Why I Do This Work

For me, healing has never been about striving to become someone new — it’s been about finding my way back to myself. Learning to listen to my body gave me steadiness when the world felt stormy, and helped me rebuild trust, both in myself and in life. It rooted me more deeply in creativity, spirituality, and connection with others. That’s why this work matters so much to me: I know how powerful it can be to have a companion as you find your own way home to yourself.

What It’s Like to Work Together

Clients often describe me as open, curious, and compassionate. I bring intuition, humor, and lived experience into the room, creating space wide enough for the full spectrum of what’s human. I move slowly, with care for pacing, and I’m not bound by social norms when they get in the way of healing. Together, we’ll listen for what you need — adapting and adjusting so the work feels safe, steady, and real.

An Invitation.

If you’ve tried before and felt unseen, or if you carry hesitation about trying again, you’re not alone. Therapy with me isn’t about fixing or forcing — it’s about gently exploring what becomes possible when you are met with respect, attunement, and care. If you’re open to one more step, one more conversation, I would be honored to walk beside you.