I b​elieve that wellness is more than the absence of disease. It involves the wholeness and interconnectedness of our mind, body, emotions, and spirit. As someone who has learned to thrive with a significant mental health issue, I am passionate about creating awareness, healing, transformation, and lasting wellness in the lives of my clients. Respect, empathy, collaboration, and empowerment guide all of my interactions.

 

I have over 25 years experience teaching and counselling in community settings. I have over 15 years of clinical expertise treating a variety of mental health concerns like complex trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, addictions, and other mental health concerns. In addition to talk therapy, I use therapies that go beyond the 5% of our decision making that is our conscious mind to support you to repattern your subconscious for lasting wellbeing.

 

Some of the the therapies that I may use, depending on your challenges and preferences, are Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed Therapy, Body Based (Somatic) Therapies, Mindfulness and Meditation, and Self-Compassion.

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I am a spiritual seeker, and find that openness and curiosity can be invaluable when approaching the mysterious life force that the Eastern ancients called qi or chi or kundalini. Often the questioning can be valuable even if there doesn't seem to be definite answers. I am committed to meeting you where you are at with whether you will find it helpful to explore connection to perhaps your own core Self, nature, all beings, or the even the greater universe.

 

I continually improve my knowledge and skills by taking professional trainings to support you with leading edge integrative therapies that tend to achieve outstanding results. I have taken many additional trainings in EMDR and trauma, mental health and wellbeing. I have both hatha and kundalini yoga teaching certificates, and a qigong teacher training certification and have been teaching yoga and/or qigong classes since 2007. I also use these and utilize other body based (Somatic) therapies with individual clients.

 

You will see me with my two dogs, Princess and Mocha, who will double as "co-therapists" in session. One of my passions is taking the dogs on hikes on some of the many wooded trails that Guelph offers.

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I facilitate a free drop in qigong group focused on mental wellness through the Waterloo/Wellington CMHA peer support in Guelph on Friday mornings at 9:30 am. Please see this link for further information: https://cmhaww.ca/programs/group-and-peer-support/

 

Organizations that I belong to include:

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

The Ontario Association of Social Workers

EMDR Canada

EMDR International Association