Welcome.

I'm a mother of three school-aged children and a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in Ontario. I have a Bachelor's degree in Child, Youth, and Family studies from the University of Guelph (2008) and a 2-year Masters degree in Social Work from Carleton University (2010).

I am licensed with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) in good standing and am a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. I continually update my professional skills by participating in multiple trainings each year.

My Experience and Approach.

I began my paid career working as a Child and Youth Worker in schools (UCDSB, HPEDSB) and a community program (Better Beginnings, Better Futures), an Early Childhood Educator in daycare/preschool (YMCA Guelph), and through working with teenaged parents within a community program. My psychotherapy experience began in schools (including with OCDSB) and my initial training focused on play therapy, sand tray, CBT and narrative therapy. I then spent a number of years working at a community agency with children and families facing a variety of struggles and trauma before opening this private practice. I also spent many recent years volunteering with a local distress crisis line.

I tailor my approach to what best fits you or your child's needs and preferences. I am quite eclectic in my approach, utilizing evidence-based modalities. I aim to create a supportive space for you and/or your child or teen to show up exactly how you are. I will not be shocked by what you may be thinking or experiencing. I want to normalize the true experiences and struggles of raising children.

My work is strengths-based, client-centered, and trauma informed and is primarily influenced by Attachment theory and Systems Theory. My clients generally find me to be warm and compassionate, genuine, and down-to-earth. My primary strength is in engaging children and youth.

I primarily utilize the following approaches in my work:

-Play Therapy/ Sand Tray (I am trained through multiple trainings but not a Certified Play Therapist at this time)

-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) as needed

-Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

-Solutions Focused Therapy

-Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

-Somatic and Polyvagal Theory Informed