Hello Students,
It is my honour to be a part of counselling services and to meet with you during your time at VIU.
In a pressure-filled and productivity-focused society, and due to the active and complex nature of the human mind, spaces of pause and reflection can be important in our lives. Sometimes, we benefit from spaces in which to more clearly hear our voices and the truths of our strengths and our struggles, our histories and our hopes. Counselling can serve as one of these spaces and I consider it a privilege to sit with you as a listener, witness, and collaborator in a way that feels right for you. Coming from a conflict resolution and cultural studies background, I deeply believe in the connections between inner investigation and our capacities to respond in our relationships and wider communities. Learning about our own minds and exploring how to consciously and compassionately be with the stories of our lives is, I believe, a step of health and possibility, and I recognize the courage it can take. I value the uniqueness of each individual and respect that you carry a lifetime of experiences and wisdom.
I hold a Master's degree in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario and am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. My prior education is a Master's in Cultural Studies and Critical Theory and an undergraduate degree with majors in Conflict Resolution Studies and English Literature.
I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and am new to Vancouver Island. I am embracing the beauty of the landscape here and am thankful to be living and working on Snuneymuxw, Quw'utsun and Tla'amin traditional lands.