enAAAAs a Registered Social Worker with over 20 years’ experience in both private practice and community mental health organizations, I’ve worked with hundreds of people experiencing mental health difficulties stemming from childhood trauma, intimate partner violence and coercive control, along with the systemic oppressions of racism, sexism, ableism and classism, the effects of which often lead to people using numbing behaviours to cope with their pain.
When I started working in community mental health with unhoused people who were using substances to cope, I came face-to-face with the observation of Dr Gabor Mate - that almost everyone with a substance use concern or other numbing behaviours is dealing with unresolved trauma. Today, in my “day job”, I provide counselling and psychotherapy to low-income adults experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties, from pandemic-related grief and loneliness, to severe and persistent mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
My approach is warm, compassionate and caring. I commit to holding you in unconditional positive regard, and also to bringing a sense of humour to our work. When you are in counselling with me you will know that I am on your team, listening to what you need, checking in to see whether I’ve heard what you said, and carefully and gently exploring, challenging, and overcoming the difficulties you face, together.
