Who Am I

Originally from Aylmer, Quebec, I moved to Rossland, BC with my husband and young daughter in 1991. Our second daughter was born in 1994, after we decided to make Rossland our home. In 2019, my husband and I moved to Galiano Island where we are in semi-retirement and pursuing new interests and activities. I like to walk, hike, ski, read and learn new things every day. I love the snow and cold, and miss that most living on Galiano Island. 

I have worked in the Social Services field since I received my Undergraduate Degree in 1986. I have a Masters in Applied Behavioural Science, with an emphasis in Systems Counselling (received in 2001 from LIOS, Bastyr University, Seattle, WA). This means that I am trained in the Application of Psychology, as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I am a registered member of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). 

I use many different therapeutic techniques during counselling sessions, including Family Systems Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Self-Relations Therapy, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Practice, Theory of Constructed Emotion, some Narrative Therapy, etc. 

My first job within the Social Services field was in Community Living, then with Child Protection and finally, Mental Health and Substance Use for 14 years. In January of 2017, I started working at Selkirk College, teaching Mental Health and Substance Use courses along with counselling. I am now working at Island Health, once again, providing Mental Health and Substance Use support. 

I have worked with people from a diversity of backgrounds and I continue to be humbled and very blessed to be witness to the resilience and strength that people demonstrate in their healing journeys. 

I am currently pursuing the certification process to become an Approved Clinical Supervisor. The hard work involved in obtaining this certification and designation is a wonderful process of rejuvenation and I am looking forward to working with already credentialed practitioners, providing clinical supervision. 

My Provincial Instructor’s Diploma from Vancouver Community College gives me a solid foundation from which to draw for Clinical Supervision. 

I understand the importance of developing a strong therapeutic relationship, built upon trust, respect and understanding of attachment styles, allowing change and growth to occur. I have also had my own personal journey of growth and healing and understand first-hand the vulnerability and courage it takes to walk into a counselling office.