My path to becoming a counsellor and psychotherapist was not a straight line, but I am so glad it has led me to where I am today.
When I was young, growing up in Victoria, I thought I wanted to become a doctor, so I focussed on the sciences and getting top marks in school. That path got a little bumpy though, and began to steer me in a different direction. I started to pay attention to and nurture my creative side, which led me to the Alberta University of the Arts (formerly the Alberta College of Art & Design). After graduating with a Bachelor of Design, I moved to New York City, where I landed my dream job as a Graphic Designer in the magazine publishing industry. It was an exciting, fast-paced, highly competitive, and stressful lifestyle. I loved what I did, but I hated what it was doing to me. After four years of the rat race in New York, I returned to Victoria to reconnect with my family, my friends, and myself. My path had hit a fork in the road and I wasn't sure which way to go.
I continued working as a freelance graphic designer, but was unfulfilled. My attention was being pulled in another direction. I began to face some of the obstacles that had been thrown into my path along the way— anxiety, depression, abusive and narcissistic relationships, toxic work culture, and trauma. As I began to heal, I remembered that part of me who wanted to help others heal. So I began volunteering and working at a local transition house for women fleeing abuse. This work filled me with a new sense of purpose, and motivated me to go back to school and make a career change.
As a new path unfolded in front of me over the years, I earned a Masters of Art in Counselling Psychology, gained experience working as a counsellor for non-profit organizations, and in 2020 started my private practice. I have held a registered clinical counsellor (RCC) designation with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) since 2013. I have completed several trainings, including Attachment-Based Somatic Therapy for the treatment of trauma, and continue to take courses and trainings for ongoing professional development and continuing education.
I am always honoured to sit with folks and listen to their stories. I am grateful to have been called to do this work, and I strive to continue to grow and learn. I look forward to accompanying you on your healing journey and the many paths you travel.