Connect with your potential

Do you feel like you’ve lost your identity?
Are you tired of repeating patterns that aren’t serving you?
Is there a “real you” that hasn’t been shining through?
Is your confidence in need of a boost?

If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions, therapy can help.

It’s not uncommon for us to feel like we’ve lost our way as we move through life. We may forget what our passions are. Or we may stuff them down in order to live a more pragmatic or “realistic” life. But living that way can take its toll and lead to a gnawing sense of dissatisfaction with life, and – sometimes – depression and anxiety. Suppressing your authentic self can be detrimental to our psychological health and well-being.

It’s never too late to rediscover your passions and let the person you were meant to be shine through. You deserve to live a joyful and fulfilling life. You may just need some help in getting to that place.

I understand. I’ve been there myself.

When I was nearing the end of high school, I was struggling to decide what I was going to do with the rest of my life – or at least that’s how it felt! At 17 and 18 we were being asked to have certainty about the path of our lives and choose the right university and programs. But I didn’t know what the “right” thing was. I felt uncertain and a total lack of confidence in what I wanted. I didn’t trust my own wanting, liking, or tendencies. I didn’t know what I “should” do. So, I got others’ opinions. Many thought a Phys Ed program would be a good fit for me – based, it seemed, solely on the fact that I was an athlete. So many people suggested this that I finally agreed and I entered a Human Kinetics program. I struggled through this program, apart from my mandatory first year psych and sports psych classes. It was only then that I felt something come alive in me, feeling deeply engaged and interested.

I completed the program, but I had no idea what to do next. I felt lost until I had my first child. Becoming a mother brought profound meaning and purpose to my life. Yet, after several years I began to yearn for something more, an identity beyond that of a mother. However, as in High School I didn’t really know what that identity was.

I kept thinking, imagining and searching until a friend told me about a masters in counselling program, hosted in a local community. Not fully understanding how or why, I felt a strong – and rare – sense within me that this was something I needed to pursue. I didn’t overthink it. I just knew if I did not chase this opportunity, I would regret it. I also knew if I started to rationalize the decision, I would allow doubt to creep in and I couldn’t afford to feel uncertainty if I was going to move forward in my life. Although the path wasn’t always easy, my instincts were right and I found a career that now truly feels like a deep part of me; work I feel passionate about.

In this condensed version of how I discovered my way in life, there is a theme of choosing poorly when I allow myself to be influenced by external sources. But when I follow my intuition, I find fulfillment. I did a lot of searching within and without. I needed guidance that helped me connect with my innate likes and dislikes, helping me understand what lifts me up and excites me. I also had to experience more of life to help me figure these things out.

The people who told me what they thought I should do were well intentioned. But that wasn’t what I needed to help me make the right decisions for me; to help me connect with my authentic self and realize my potential.

I continue to work hard at this. There are many influences that have taken me away from my own knowing – social constructs, culture, media, family of origin messaging, and educational and professional systems. There is a lot to sift through to get to the information that comes from a deep, authentic part of myself and there are times when I need the help of others for this work. It is a constant commitment of becoming aware of the external influences and expectations and then tuning those out so that I can tune in.

Now, as a clinical counsellor, it’s my mission to support you in managing your mental health. I have a diverse background in counselling, having worked for the Vancouver and Interior Health Authority, as well as a non-profit organization. I have had the privilege of supporting both youths and adults over the years. I assist people who are struggling with all types of mental health challenges, such as:

• Connecting with your true self
• Developing self-confidence
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief and loss
• Trauma
• Issues related to sports/athletic activity

I understand firsthand what many of life’s challenges are like. I’ve come out the other end a better person and I can help you get through it too.

Along the way, I have pursued several professional development and training opportunities. I will continue to do so, as I feel that being able to draw on an in-depth knowledge base allows me to offer the most comprehensive approach and the best care to my clients.

I practice a variety of therapeutic approaches and paradigms – including, but not limited to:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
• Attachment theory
• Trauma-informed practice
• Somatic Relational theory and practice

I help individuals achieve life-changing results by exploring and uncovering patterns in thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. I am non-judgmental, while identifying and compassionately addressing unhelpful patterns. I believe that it is not enough just to have insight into problems but to develop strategies for new ways of thinking and behaving.

Above all, I recognize that no two people are the same. I consistently tailor my approach to meet the specific and unique needs of the individuals I work with. This can range from brief solution-focused therapy to longer term in-depth work.