I am a Registered Occupational Therapist and a Registered Psychotherapist with over 28 years experience working in mental health, in a wide range of settings including Post-Secondary organizations, hospitals, community, and private practice. I hold my bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto in Occupational Therapy, and an undergraduate degree in Psychology. In 2002, I graduated from The Gestalt Institute of Toronto, after five years of Advanced Training in Advanced Gestalt Leadership.
I co-authored several publications including the “Compendium of Counselling & Psychotherapy Resources for Occupational Therapists” ( 2nd edition, 2015), “Psychotherapy: A Profile of current occupational therapy practice in Ontario, 2013; and “Supported Employment: Evidence for Best Practice in Psychosocial Rehabilitation”, 2003, in addition to being a Guest Lecturer and Speaker at several provincial conferences over 23 years.
In 2015, I completed a Certificate in Mindfulness-Based Group Practice at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. Since 2018, I have completed levels 1 & 2 of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Single Session Narrative therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Trauma. My clinical experience has included supporting a diverse clientele of adults, young adults, and seniors as they work through depression, anxiety, life transitions, loss, stress, relationship difficulties, and/or trauma (post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD).
I have pioneered the first Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT) Training in Supervision of Psychotherapy program. I have both co-created the program and attended the training and has advanced training skills in the provision of psychotherapy supervision. I have also had the privilege to be formally supervised by some internationally renowned Psychiatrists with expertise in Group and Individual Psychotherapy.
In August 2020, after many years of training, I completed my certificate in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) with the Centre for Mindfulness Studies, in Toronto. I provide expert facilitation of individual and group therapy with 23 years of clinical experience working in mental health. Currently, I work at the University of Guelph, as a Counsellor/Therapist.
I have been told by clients and colleagues that my warmth, genuine compassion, intuition and extensive advanced training is the gold of the therapy I provide. I bring an embodied wisdom, and empathy to the therapy process. I believe that this has blossomed inside of me, in part, from years of my own personal therapy discoveries, spiritual practices, personal losses, vulnerabilities and celebrations within my own life.
I am a parent, to one incredible, (soon to be teenage) daughter, who daily, teaches me, how to let go, become more grounded, and trust that within the most difficult times in life, there is also the greatest heart opening moments. In my spare time, I love to play in nature, practice mindfulness, ski, and spend time with my daughter and my dearest family/friends.
I look forward to connecting with you. Thank you!