About Me

My husband and I married and raised our children while traveling across Canada, the United States, Australia and Peru for over 20 years. During this time, we met people from all walks of life who were of different backgrounds and cultures. I learned that regardless of
our background, we all struggle with similar issues. I saw people who struggled with relationship issues, parents from different countries who all wanted their kids to be safe and happy, and women who needed the support of community to nourish their relationships and find balance in their lives.

In 2005, once back in Nanaimo, I went on my own personal health journey which reinforced the importance to me of being able to communicate openly and honestly with people. My days of travelling taught me the importance of having a close knit community that is warm and understanding to share our struggles with and provide support.

I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology in 1988 at UBC. From there, I volunteered for the Northern Arctic Helpline in Yellowknife, the Canadian Cancer Society’s peer telephone counselling program, and the Vancouver Island Crisis Society as a crisis counsellor. In 2004, I received my diploma as an Education Assistant and went on to complete my Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree at Yorkville University in 2016. More recently, I worked at the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association, the Nanaimo Family Life Association, and at North Island College where I worked with students of all ages.  I am a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).  I have also completed additional training in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and supporting first responders.