Background:
I completed a Bachelor of Arts, Honours degree in Psychology in 2010 and subsequently obtained a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology in 2013 from the University of Alberta. My training and experience includes both counselling and assessment with youth and adults. I have found that having knowledge in both areas enriches my ability to identify, understand, and treat some difficulties, especially those relating to attention, learning, and behaviour in the classroom.
I have worked in a variety of settings including private practice, correctional facilities, schools, and public mental health. No matter where I’ve been or who I’ve worked with, I have seen that we all have the same desire to be understood and supported. My goal is to give each of my clients that experience.
Counselling:
Sometimes we just feel stuck with a problem or hit a rough patch. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a psychologist and help people through these times. I feel very privileged to be trusted with people’s most private feelings and thoughts, and strive to help others better understand themselves and their mental health needs.
I work with children, teens and their families, as well as adults individually.
Whoever I am working with, I work in an organized fashion, first gathering information, identifying goals, and creating a plan to meet them. During treatment, I focus on creating a solid foundation of knowledge related to the issue(s), and incorporate a variety of strategies including emotion-focused, solution-focused, cognitive-behavioural (CBT), attachment-based, and mindfulness.
I aim for everyone to leave therapy feeling confident in their skills to manage their mental health. I also focus on increasing feelings of self-compassion and normalcy, as I find most people come to therapy feeling embarrassed and self-critical about the difficulties they or their family are facing.
Areas of Client Challenge May Include:
Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, Stress, Self-Harm, Emotional Regulation (Including Anger-Management), Parenting Challenges (Including Parent-Child Relationship, Discipline),
ADHD and Learning Disorders,
Challenges with Behaviour at Home or at School, and Relationship Conflicts.
