MY STORY

I have been working in the field of community mental health for the past 11 years, completing my formal education in Criminology (BA, MA) and Social Work (MSW).  I have developed a passion for working alongside individuals as they embark on their journey of self-discovery, personal growth and healing. Navigating the terrain of our inner struggles to create lasting meaningful change is one of the most courageous things we can do as human beings, and continues to inspire me in my work as a therapist.

I have also completed extensive mindfulness training over the past 6 years.  Through this training I have become qualified to teach Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) (University of Massachusetts, School of Medicine), Mindfulness Integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (MICBT) (MICBT Institute, AU), Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) (Center for Mindful Eating, NH), and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Training Course (University of San Diego, School of Medicine).  These trainings have been highly instrumental in my own personal growth, and in the work that I do with individuals and groups. 

​

My passion for mindfulness practice stems back to my childhood years, finding a sense of refuge and peace in the present moment while going for nature walks with my dog in the woods located behind my house in rural New Brunswick.  Being the youngest of 3, I recall savouring the simplicity and connectedness offered by nature.  It was during these outings that I could find balance within myself, connecting with the simple pleasures that life has to offer amidst the ups and down that life presents.  It was during my mid-20s that I began my formal mindfulness practice.  Fed up with spending most of my time hung up on the past and ruminating about the future, mindfulness allowed me to re-learn my own innate capacity to find refuge and balance in present moment awareness. I have attended over a dozen silent meditation retreats in the Vipassana tradition since being introduced to formal meditation practice, and have participated in a number of mindfulness groups.

​

My mindfulness training has paired nicely with the therapy approaches that I gravitate towards in my private practice.  They all place an emphasis on relating to ones’ inner and outer experience from a place of non-judgement, acceptance and kindness.  This approach allows individuals to come out of the trance of habitual judgment and reactivity, and creates space for a wiser perspective and more skillful response.  

​

I feel very honoured to have the opportunity to share the knowledge I have learned through my therapeutic and mindfulness training with the community of Ottawa.   I continue to recognize myself as a life long learner, deepening my own wisdom and practice through the knowledge and wisdom shared by all those I have the honour to work with through the services I offer in my private practice.