BSW, RSW (SK, AB, BC), ASAT, EMDR-Trained Clinician

Why do you do what you do?

• I’ll be the first to tell you that every therapist should see a therapist, and if they’re not…run! I’m being humorous, but I’m not joking (I see a therapist at least monthly, and I’ve been in therapy since I was 15).

• To answer the question though, I grew up parentified in a family with mental illness, addiction, and physical disability.  I’ve experienced my own journey with mental illness, behavioural addiction, and codependency, of which I’m in recovery for, as well as a personal story of grief, loss, and trauma.

• Quite frankly, human beings and family systems fascinate me, and I’m deeply passionate about the work I do.

What are you like as a therapist?

• I’ve been told I’m casual, humorous, empathetic, compassionate, and diplomatic, yet direct when needed.

What licensing/registration do you have?

• I am a Registered Social Worker (RSW) licensed with:

  • Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers (#3246)

  • British Columbia College of Social Workers (#15526)

  • Alberta College of Social Workers (#17617)

  • I also have ‘Approval for Electronic Practice’ (virtual services) in Newfoundland and Labrador.

What education, certification, and training do you have?

• Training in the ‘Best Practices in Treating Adults Enmeshed with a Parent’ facilitated by Dr. Kenneth Adams with Overcoming Enmeshment, and I’m listed as an Enmeshment-Informed Therapist.

• EMDR-Trained Clinician with an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association (EMDRIA)-approved Basic EMDR Therapy training.

• Associate Sex Addiction Therapist (ASAT) with the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals.

• Master of Social Work (MSW) student with the University of Regina, focusing on the neurobiological impacts of parentification, enmeshment, and emotional incest.

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from the University of Regina with practicums in youth detox and stabilization and adult mental health counselling.

• Intensive addictions treatment training:

  • Professionals in Residence program with Hazelden Betty Ford in Rancho Mirage, CA.

  • Professional Residency program with Cedars at Cobble Hill in Cobble Hill, BC.

• Graduate level studies in counselling psychology with Yorkville University.

• 3 years of undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of Saskatchewan.

• Certified in various addictions and trauma assessments.

  • Click here to learn more.

• Certificates in:

  • Healing Trauma & Addiction’ by Dr. Gabor Maté.

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Mindfulness Counselling

  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

• Licensed to provide a high conflict divorce program called New Ways for Families®.

What do you specialize in?

• Sex, Porn, + Love Addiction and Concurrent Disorders

• Substance Addiction + Concurrent Disorders

• Family + Addiction (with a special interest in Sexual Betrayal Trauma)

• Family Systems (with a special interest in Enmeshment + Emotional Incest)

• Areas that I’m not specialized in, but have significant professional and personal experience in:

  • Grief + Loss

  • Relationships

  • Concurrent Disorders (Mental Health + Mental Illness)

  • Stress

• I’m informed, educated, sensitive, and experienced with queer issues.

• Although I only work with adults, I have experience working with people of all ages, cultures, ethnicities, sexual orientation, gender identity, monogamous and polyamorous.

What professional experience do you have?

• Medical Social Worker, in a crisis intervention/crisis counselling role, in various areas of the hospital, including: Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Medicine wards, Vascular/Thoracic/General Surgery wards, Acute Care Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care, Pediatric Palliative Care, Pediatric Cardiology, and outpatient Geriatrics. 

• Addictions Counsellor in detox and youth stabilization.

• Psychotherapist in private practice since 2016.

• Case Aide in Resources and Recruitment, as well as a Youth Care Worker in Long-Term Child Care with social services. 

• My employment in the healthcare/human services field began at the age of 11, where I worked as a Respite Worker and self-administered Home Care Aide.  In my late teen years, I worked seasonally in long-term care as a Recreation Facilitator. 

What approach do you use in therapy sessions?

• It really depends who I’m working with, but typically I use an eclectic approach.  As human beings, I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, so practicing eclectically for me is an incorporation of cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectic behaviour therapy, family systems theory, attachment theory, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, the 30-Task Model, and transactional analysis, under a bio-psycho-social-spiritual, trauma-informed, and culturally-sensitive lens.

What are some of your personal interests?

• Personally, I’m very active.  I enjoy the gym, getting outdoors for walks, hikes, runs and paddle boarding.  I feel most at home near a body of water.  I’m a vegetarian, love plants, and anyone who knows me knows I love dogs.  One method of emotional regulation I use personally is meditation, and I’ve completed a 10-day and 3-day silent meditation retreat at Alberta Vipassana Meditation Centre.