I am a Registered Counselling Therapist with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT), a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), and a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).  

 

I practice from an integrative perspective, simply meaning that I believe each client has individual needs, and I draw on various approaches in my work with each client. I tend to favour a psychodynamic perspective, and use psychoanalysis and attachment theory. There is often a lot going on outside of our awareness, and these unconscious coping strategies and patterns can hijack how we are thinking, feeling, and behaving in the present. I also routinely draw on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, exposure therapy, and Integrated Family Systems theories.

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I entered this profession after a career working as an executive for the federal government, both in Canada and internationally. I left that career when I realized that what really motivated me was bringing out the best in people by helping them to draw on their own strengths, and to focus on helping individuals recover from the cumulative effects of stress and trauma. I am passionate about helping my clients gain insight and make changes that improve their lives.

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Experience and education

 

In addition to receiving a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, I have a Master of Arts in International Conflict Analysis and over fifteen years of experience mentoring, coaching, building and leading teams, and resolving conflicts in the workplace and internationally. My practice combines these skills with my knowledge and training in psychology and conflict resolution. 

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I completed my clinical training at The Peoples' Counselling Clinic under the mentorship of Robert S. Wright. I then concluded my candidacy period with the guidance and support of Dr. Jeffrey Hosick.

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​Specialized training and certifications​

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I have specialized training and/or certification in: ​​​

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• Treating complex trauma, disrupted attachment, and unresolved childhood memories;
• Advanced training in Psychoanalysis;

• Treating dissociation and self-injury;

• Understanding and treating Chronic Shame;

• Narcissism and supporting recovery from coercive control and narcissistic abuse;

• Somatic psychotherapy;

• Treating panic disorder;

• Cognitive Processing Therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD);

• Exposure Therapy;

• Bereavement from suicide;

• Working with the body's nervous system to heal trauma;

• Trauma-Informed Stabilization Therapy (TIST); and

• Parental capacity assessments.

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I continually undertake professional training to improve how I understand and treat mental health issues and trauma, in order to apply the latest scientific research and approaches in my practice.