Feeling anxious, hypervigilant, mistrustful, overwhelmed, or panicky? Do your thoughts race as you struggle to concentrate? Are you turning to substances in order to cope or just get through the day? Maybe you feel empty, exhausted, flat, numb, and disinterested in previously enjoyed activities. Or, more confusingly, do you bounce between these experiences in some combination while wondering “What is wrong with me”?

Whether you are living with one or more of the above, I bring the perspective that these experiences are not symptoms indicating that something is “wrong” with you. Rather, they are survival strategies working with a positive intent in the best way they know how regardless of their effect. They are the lingering legacy of a wound sustained during a recent unexpected situation, a long-standing issue, or a traumatic experience that is calling for your attention.

Having experience working with people from a wide range of identifications both personally (e.g., adult child, parent, partner, sibling, LGBTQ+, straight) and professionally (e.g., education provider, first responder, health care worker, peace officer, public service employee, retailer, support staff, tradesperson), my goal is to provide a safe space for you to explore, to understand the wisdom of, and to eventually work with your survival strategies rather than “manage” their presence.

Educational and Professional Background:

After completing Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) and Bachelor of Education degrees at Queen’s University I embarked on a career as a secondary school teacher at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute where I taught for 30 years. Wishing to retire to, as opposed to from, something while desiring to maintain my connection to The County, I began the journey of transitioning to a new career and in 2020 completed a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology with Yorkville University.

I am a registered member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) as well as a general member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP), a non-certified Professional Member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and both an Active Retired Member and Honorary Member of OSSTF.