The Counsellor's Coach
....To anyone who asks, I tell them I followed the breadcrumbs and they led me here.
In my teacher training at UBC back in 2008, I finally learned how to learn, as I was learning how to teach. The years I spent in a high school classroom expanded my mind, my understanding of the world and my patience. When it came time to thinking about a Masters degree, I pivoted into the counselling space where I learned (and continue to learn) about myself. It transformed me, my relationships, and the way I wanted to work and be in the world
I began my private practice career as an associate in the practice where I completed my internship. It was here that I learned about the complex dynamics that exist between the business of private practice and the art of therapy. I applied these learnings as I launched a small solo practice where I was further challenged to expand my comfort zone in building systems and processes while narrowing my focus on identifying my ideal client and putting myself out in the world in order to attract them.
After 3 short years, Shoreline Counselling, the group private practice that I co-founded and co-own was born. Running a group practice with 20+ clinicians - and growing annually - is an immense privilege. It has also been challenging, it has provided some of the greatest learning in leadership and it has helped me gain more clarity around, and live in more alignment with, my values.
My work as the 'Counsellor's Coach' has evolved over the years as I have mentored and supported countless new therapists in the world of private practice. Walking alongside therapists navigating the complex world of business, leadership and therapy in pursuit of living more value aligned lives is an honour. I feel privileged to play a role in providing more safe, research informed, ethically guided clinical private practices for individuals to seek support.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Calgary, a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from UBC, a Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology from UBC and a Certification in Organizational Coaching from UBC. I am a member in good standing of the BC Teacher Regulation Branch, and the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. I am also an Approved Clinical Supervisor with the BCACC and I am an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation.
I have clinical training in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I completed the foundational 2 years of Dr. Lisa Mortimore’s Bringing the Body into Practice Somatic Attachment Psychotherapy (SAP) training in 2019. I completed the year-long advanced SAP training in 2022 and will be a facilitator for a 2 year cohort beginning in March 2024.
Before venturing into counselling, I worked as a secondary school teacher in the Richmond public school system. It was in this role that I was privileged to be involved in curriculum development with the Ministry of Education for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and again in 2014 with the creation and implementation of the new Core Competency curriculum.
I live in Vancouver with my husband and beloved puppy, Stanley.
