The Therapist

Originally from Manitoba, I moved back to my home province summer of 2017. Previously, I had a private practice in Central Alberta (2009-2017). In 2003, I relocated to AB from Whitehorse, Yukon (where I lived for 7.5 years). With a 20-year marriage behind me, I have experience with the joys and challenges that accompany building a life together with another person. I am also personally familiar with when things go awry; and the only healthy thing to do is end a long-term relationship.

Education

• Master of Arts degree in Counselling from Providence Seminary in April of 2009 and have been seeing clients since 2008 as part of practicum.
• Bachelor of Arts degree (counselling focus) from Briercrest College in Saskatchewan (1996).
• School of Hard Knocks (see below)

Professional Associations

• Certified in 2014 with PACCP (Professional Association of Christian Counsellors & Psychotherapists)–active member from 2008-2018;
• Certified counsellor of CCPA (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association) in 2018 (CCC designation: Certified Canadian Counsellor);
• Registered with ACTA (Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta) in 2020;
• Currently I serve on the board  (FACT-MB) for counselling therapists to become a registered profession here in Manitoba.

The Journey

My journey towards counselling began as a teenager; and my passion for people has spurred me on over the years leading me down varied paths. This has influenced how I see the counselling process (and life itself) as a journey. I have plenty of personal as well as professional experience with many of life’s lessons from the School of Hard Knocks: from trauma and abuse recovery to living with a chronic health condition. This often helps the counselling process as I can relate to many of the issues that surface during sessions.

Believing in the inherent value of each and every person, I strive to be respectful of ethnicity, culture, religion, socio-economic status, lifestyle choice, sexual orientation, personal/family history, age, worldview, and whatever else each client brings to the counselling journey.

I understand religious or faith backgrounds can be an area of concern. Some of us have struggled to make sense of our faith journey. I am open to exploring this area with you if it is your desire, although a religious or faith background is not required for counselling to be effective. It is up to you how much religion, faith, or spirituality is part of counselling.