Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Disability Benefits Assessments and Consulting for Trauma Therapists
Philosophy of Healing from Trauma
I’ve always been drawn to people’s stories: what makes them tick, why they make the choices they make, and their innate resilience.
That resilience means that healing is always possible after traumatic experiences. Rather than pushing the trauma out of your mind, healing involves working through it and making peace with it, so that you’re free to live, love, and experience the world fully without being held back by the past.
More Than 2 Decades of Experience with Complex Trauma and Psychological Assessments
I bring 24 years of clinical experience, including 17 years providing psychological assessments and treatment to RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, veterans, and first responders. I have also been providing VAC disability benefits assessments for 11 years.
Throughout my career, my work has focused on clients experiencing trauma and PTSD, operational stress injuries, chronic pain, workplace injuries, and other complex clinical issues. It has also included occupational rehabilitation and return-to-work planning.
In addition, I’ve trained and mentored other health professionals, taught advanced clinical hypnosis skills to health care professionals, and facilitated workshops on working effectively with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and multicultural counseling competencies.
Arriving at an accurate diagnosis is central to all my assessments because it leads to the most tailored recommendations for clients.
During my training, I completed 6 times the required number of assessments while maintaining a high standard of quality and thoroughness. This experience has sharpened my diagnostic accuracy and refined my ability to produce rich, evidence-dense narrative reports that hold up to institutional scrutiny.
I take great pride in the quality of my work and hold myself to high standards of dignity, objectivity, and professional integrity.
In 2026, I was appointed to a 3-year term as a Professional Member of British Columbia’s Health Professions Discipline Tribunal. In this adjudicative role, I serve on an independent regulatory panel dedicated to upholding ethical standards, professional accountability, and the enforcement of public protection frameworks.
Education and Professional Development
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Counselling Psychology
University of Alberta - Master of Science, Counselling Psychology
University of Calgary - Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Psychology, with a French Extended Minor
Simon Fraser University
Licensure, Certifications, and Professional Memberships
Licensure:
- College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia
- Nova Scotia Regulator of Psychology
- Newfoundland and Labrador Psychology Board
Certifications:
- Certified Brainspotting Therapist
- Core Gift Discovery Master Facilitator
- University Teaching Certificate, University of Calgary
Professional Memberships:
- British Columbia Psychological Association
- Canadian Psychological Association
- Brainspotting Canada Association and Brainspotting (USA)
Publications
I have authored or co-authored 6 academic and professional publications, as well as blog articles on topics including stress and trauma, psychological assessment, career development, and occupational transition.
A Commitment to Service Beyond My Practice
I believe in philanthropy and in making a meaningful difference in others’ lives. A portion of the proceeds from every VAC assessment funds the Veterans Transition Network, a national Canadian charity dedicated to helping veterans transition from military and RCMP service to civilian life.
I have also established 2 scholarships that will begin being awarded annually in 2028: one for a psychology undergraduate student in the Honours program at Simon Fraser University and one for a British Columbia Institute of Technology student entering the MRI program.
A Life of Curiosity, Growth, and Exploration
Outside of work, I love spending time in nature: long walks, hikes, the beach, swimming, snowshoeing, bird watching, and taking in the autumn leaves. I also enjoy writing and travelling.
I speak 4 languages, am currently learning Italian, and plan on learning American Sign Language next.
I make a point of regularly stepping outside my comfort zone because I believe that’s how we continue to grow.
Interested in Working Together?
VAC Disability Benefits Psychological Assessments:
If you’re an RCMP or CAF member or veteran looking for a comprehensive VAC psychological assessment, I invite you to book a free 15-minute consultation to learn more about the process and whether we’re a good fit.
Book your free 15-minute inquiry call.