My formal introduction:

I’m a registered psychologist with a PhD in counselling psychology from the University of Alberta.  I’m a member in good standing with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia (CPBC #2261). I’m a retired member of the College of Alberta Psychologists. I specialize in anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and work exclusively with adults.

I’ve provided psychological assessment and counselling services for eighteen years in a variety of settings in British Columbia and Alberta, including elementary and middle schools, post-secondary counselling centres, psychiatric hospitals, the Workers’ Compensation Board (Alberta), occupational rehabilitation settings, and numerous community mental health agencies. I’ve worked extensively with adolescents and adults from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, including clients from non-majority populations (e.g., immigrants, refugees, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ2IA, etc.).

I’ve been in private practice since 2011. I had offices in Surrey, Coquitlam, and Kamloops before relocating my practice to Kelowna in August 2019 where I continue providing psychological assessment and counselling treatment services.

Education
PhD Counselling Psychology- University of Alberta
MSc Counselling Psychology- University of Calgary
BA Honours Psychology and Extended Minor in French- Simon Fraser University

My Informal Introduction

People often ask me what therapy is like. I reply by asking, “Do you mean what is therapy like, in general? Or what is therapy like with me?” (leave it to a psychologist to answer a question with another question!). I can only provide you with an answer for the latter (unless you want to know how other therapists operate. I can’t tell you since I’m not a fly on their wall).

What Therapy Is Like with Me

The best way to describe therapy with me is that I take my job seriously, but I don’t take myself seriously. I’m warm, genuine, empathetic, gentle, direct, informal, and have a dark sense of humour. I send a meme or two to some of my patients when it’s relevant to their therapy goals (yes, memes are absolutely relevant to therapy. If you don’t believe me, check out the Facebook page Therapy Memes Group). I’m an introvert which surprises a lot of people because I can become quite animated in session. I swear. There is a lot of laughter during sessions. I believe that using humour is an effective way of challenging core beliefs or thinking traps, changing unhelpful emotional states, and encouraging new perspectives. I don’t use psycho babble. I explain things in ways that make sense to my patients and their worldview. This often involves analogies using firearms, smoke, fire, sirens, knives, tanks, compasses, and what have you. I also love to use South Park, Family Guy, and The Simpsons as teaching tools during sessions so if you’re a fan of these shows, you’re in luck – I can quote most episodes.

How I Actually Do My Job

I was trained as a scientist-practitioner in graduate school which has allowed me to embrace the scientific process of discovery, hypothesis testing, and learning. This has given me opportunities to obtain specialized training in empirically supported treatments to ensure that I’m remaining up to date on research. While empirically supported treatments are an important part of my work, I know that they’re not the be all, end all to therapy. I use complimentary healing methods with my patients who are open to learning them. Chakra clearing, energy clearing, energetic cord cutting, and visualization are just a few examples of the complimentary methods I use. More and more people are open to, and requesting, these complimentary methods which not only help with symptom reduction, but also help shift their view of themselves, other people, and the world. As a result, a patient’s vibrational frequency rises which allows for new ways of thinking, feeling, seeing, doing, and being. Isn’t that what healing and growth are all about?

Who I Work With

Since 2016, my practice has focused on working with first responders, the Canadian Armed Forces, and veterans (I’ve been working with these groups since 2009 prior to opening my practice). Because these are highly specialized groups with their own idiosyncrasies, I have taken the time (and continue to do so) to learn their languages and about their respective cultures (they’re not all the same). Just as a newly arrived immigrant in Canada must learn English or French (or both), an outsider such as myself working with these specialized groups requires a certain level of understanding of their jobs and job duties which involves learning about their unique cultures, their rewards, and challenges. As a result of working with the RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces, I started target shooting, which is really fun (I particularly enjoy shooting a Jericho and a 7mm. A .22 is always fun for plinking).

I continue to work with civilian adults in my practice.

Who I Am

I’m love and light with no bullshit.

I’ve witnessed and experienced the dark side of human nature as a war survivor. I know firsthand the effects of trauma and the importance of compassion and awareness when healing from trauma which I bring to my work with all of my patients. Seeing and experiencing the dark side of humanity has allowed me to embrace the light and empower others from a place of authenticity. I don’t let my life experiences define who I am. I share this information about myself as I’ve comfortably resolved these issues and to reduce the stigma associated with therapy. I’m not a survivor. I’m a thriver. I’ve let go of the trauma, fear, anxiety, and doubt that held me back for many years. No longer living in fear has allowed me to become the person I am and provide a unique therapeutic experience to all that come my way.