I am a lifelong learner and helper who genuinely cares about other people. I want you to succeed and live “the good life”. I am a proponent of Humanistic, Cognitive-Behavioural, and Solution-Focused methodologies. I am also a strong advocate of positive psychological approaches.
I believe living well requires more than just fixing your problems. It is equally important for you to appreciate what is going well in your life. This means recognizing and finding new ways to capitalize on your strengths and personal resources in new ways that contribute to your overall well-being and happiness.
Over the years, I have worked with older youth and adults who are experiencing challenges including anxiety, depression, life transitions, LGBTQ2S+ and coming out, relationship difficulties, self-defeating behaviours, grief and loss, stress and burn out, low self-esteem, and self-advocacy. Also, I’ve spent many years counselling and supporting people with disabilities, including physical, intellectual, learning, and developmental, and with multiple disabilities.
As a therapist, I seek to gain a complete understanding of who you are and how the challenges you experience impact your life. As we continue to explore various topics, I will work with you to help you to understand how it all fits together and how your thoughts, actions, and even your body’s natural response to situations may be getting in the way of what you hope to achieve. I will then work with you to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique situation.
I also believe that living the good life means that we build in time for ourselves – to focus on self-care, stress reduction, and relaxation. I am passionate about self-care and highly knowledgeable in a variety of stress reduction and relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, inter-nostril breathing, and diaphragmatic breathing.
As a lifelong learner, I have spent several years at university and have a substantial background in counselling psychology. Prior to obtaining my Ph.D. in Education, I completed both my Master’s degree and a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Education in Counselling Psychology at the University of Manitoba. My training included individual and group counselling at the Student Counselling and Career Centre at the University of Manitoba, which is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association. I also have a Baccalauréat ès Arts from l’Université de Saint Boniface where I majored in psychology.
During my time at university, I was the recipient of two major scholarships, several smaller scholarships, and awards. I have published articles in several academic journals such as the British Journal of Learning Disabilities, Exceptionality Education International, Intersectionalities: A Global Journal of Social Work, Analysis, Research, Polity, and Practice, the American Association for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, Manitoba Journal of Counselling, and the Manitoba Association of Resource Teachers. I have also co-published a chapter in a book published by the American Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and have two chapters pending in a A Practical Guide to Transformative Inclusive Education.
In addition, I havepresented on topics related to counselling and education in academic and professional settings. I also teach courses in counselling and behaviour at the University of Manitoba.
Qualifications
- Canadian Certified Counsellor
- Master’s Degree in Education in Counselling Psychology (M.Ed., Counselling Psychology)
- Ph.D. in Education (Ph.D.)
Professional Associations
- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
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