I am a counsellor and mental health professional with more than thirty years of experience working with individuals, couples and family groups. Crescent Beach Counselling is the home of my private practice.
I have worked as a clinician, consultant, program developer, director and educator in a wide range of health care and mental health organizations serving people of all ages at all points of the lifespan including: hospitals, inpatient and community mental health, palliative care, residential care programs and services for older adults and other social service agencies. A common thread is my ongoing passion for learning about self and relationship and the many ways that people create connection and “family” for themselves. The twists and turns in my professional life in many ways parallel the learning and experiences in my own life – we are all fellow travellers.
The diversity and breadth of my experience are the strength and foundation of my private practice. Over the years I’ve walked beside people at both the best and most challenging points of their lives. It has been my privilege to witness the human ability to create change and shape meaning from many kinds of life events including those that are difficult or traumatic, sometimes at the time, and often much later.
I continue to be both inspired and honoured to do this work.
Qualifications and Training
I am a Registered Social Worker (03705) approved for private practice by the British Columbia College of Social Workers. Since completing my Masters of Social Work (MSW) at UBC in 1992, my professional development and advanced skills training has focused on relationships, trauma work and body centered psychotherapy.
Family Systems: Pacific Coast Family Therapy – two year certificate program in theory and supervised practice
Family Systems: Pacific Coast Family Therapy – advanced clinical supervision
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing): EMDRIA approved Parts One and Two
Bodynamic Canada: Foundation Training
Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: ICEEFT approved externship
Relational Trauma Therapy (three year certificate program) and ROST (Resource Oriented Skill Training) – Moaiku / Bodynamic Brantbjerg
My training also includes Gottman approach to couples work , cognitive behavioural, narrative, solution focused and mindfulness therapies and interventions.
In our work together, one of my responsibilities is to have clear “roadmaps” of the how, the why, and the when, of the counselling process. I am committed to continued learning to enhance and expand my clinical skills and knowledge, both about myself and my work, through peer consultation, clinical supervision and mentoring, and professional development.
Counselling | family & relationships | couples | life transitions | trauma | grief & loss | stress & illness | anxiety | depression | career and workplace issues | later life | health & wellness | personal growth
