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I grew up parentified in a family with mental illness, addiction, and physical disability. I’m in recovery for mental illness, behavioural addiction, developmental trauma + relational trauma, and grief. I also have a chronic illness, which is a whole story of its own. I didn’t always require mobility aids. Up until 2023, I was extremely active and fit. As a therapist, I can see all the intricacies and interconnectedness of it all.
Much of the work I do is meaning-making for me. I have a drive to understand what, why, and how we - as humans - do the things we do, and what we can do to rewire, heal, and recover.
Quite frankly, human beings and family systems fascinate me, and I’m deeply passionate about the work I do.
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I’ve been told I’m casual, humorous, empathetic, compassionate, and diplomatic, yet direct when needed.
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I am a registered social worker (RSW) with the:
British Columbia College of Social Workers (#15526)
Alberta College of Social Workers (#17617)
Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers (#3246)
I am, therefore, registered to provide therapy, counselling, and assessment services to BC, AB, + SK residents.
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Training in love addiction and love avoidance - ‘Your Love Keeps Me Alive: Treating Love Addiction and the Trauma that Sets it Up,’ by Havi Kang with the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals.
Associate Multiple Addiction Therapist (AMAT) with the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals with a specialization in sex/porn addiction and substance use disorders.
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. Presented through the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals.
EMDR-Trained Clinician with an EMDRIA-approved Basic EMDR Therapy program.
Associate Sex Addiction Therapist (ASAT) with the International Institute for Trauma & Addiction Professionals.
I will be completed my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree with the University of Regina by summer 2026. My thesis is a qualitative study exploring the lifelong experiences of Canadian 2SLGBTQ+, disabled, culturally diverse, and chronically ill adults with two phenomena, enmeshment and emotional (covert) incest. Methodologically, my study is grounded in transcendental phenomenology. I employed methodological pluralism to explore the pre-reflective, embodied, and neurobiological dimensions of experience, in which I adopted micro-phenomenology to "bridge" lived experience to neurobiological interpretations, revealed through neurophenomenology. My interpretive frameworks were social constructivism and queer phenomenology.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from the University of Regina with practicums in youth detox and stabilization and adult mental health counselling.
Extensive addictions treatment training:
Professionals in Residence program with Hazelden Betty Ford in Rancho Mirage, California.
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’ with Dr. Gabor Maté.
Motivational Interviewing
Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Counselling/Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Previously licensed to provide a high conflict divorce program called New Ways for Families®.
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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, various cultural and ethnical backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, + monogamous and polyamorous relationships.
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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 Geriatric Assessment.
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.
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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, transactional analysis, and neuroscience under an integrative, trauma-responsive, and culturally-attuned lens.
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Up until July of 2023, I was very active. I enjoyed the gym and getting outdoors for walks, hikes, runs and paddle boarding, but then I non-consensually joined the chronic illness club. I have a chronic neurological disorder and still on a path to diagnosis. I’m currently learning what my new personal interests are. What I can say is, I feel most at home near a body of water. I’m a vegetarian. I love plants. I love to learn and I’m committed to ongoing education and professional development. 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.
