Welcome
"We are always in the place of beginning.
Everything we've been leads us to who we are becoming.
Like a strand of beads, the memories exist separately
but join in concert to form the whole of who we are."
-Ellen Ann Eddy
My work is focused on supporting clients as they explore transitions related to aging, significant life and interpersonal relationships and personal and spiritual growth.
The core of my work is the facilitation of the development of a strong sense of Self,
and the enhancement of clarity about what matters most to my clients. The purpose of our work together is to support the client shifting toward a greater experience of
joy, contentment and meaning in their lives.
I am always enthusiastic about the appearance of a greater sense of personal power, fulfillment and a passion for life which seems to emerge in the individual as a result of
our sessions together.
My Education
I graduated from Concordia University, Montreal, QC. (1972) with a B.A.
in Fine Arts and Psychology and an MEd., counselling, University of Victoria, B.C. (2003).
I have had a successful private practice for 15 years. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor
with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors.
I am a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (S.E.P.), having completed certified
training with the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute, Boulder, CO.
I have also completed certification in Somatic Transformation with Dr. Sharon Stanley.
in Fine Arts and Psychology and an MEd., counselling, University of Victoria, B.C. (2003).
I have had a successful private practice for 15 years. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor
with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors.
I am a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (S.E.P.), having completed certified
training with the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute, Boulder, CO.
I have also completed certification in Somatic Transformation with Dr. Sharon Stanley.
My Goals as a Counsellor
I encourage an atmosphere of absolute confidentiality, sharing and support.
I believe each of us has the right to feel safe and respected in an unbiased environment.
The empathic response of another human being often results in a feeling of worthiness and empowerment.
I believe all of us have the longing, and are entitled, to be acknowledged and appreciated.
The importance of maintaining a relationship of collaboration with my clients is vital to my work,
as is the importance of trusting the client's ability to choose the path which they see, at that moment,
as being best suited for their growth, sense of safety and emotional health.
I believe each of us has the right to feel safe and respected in an unbiased environment.
The empathic response of another human being often results in a feeling of worthiness and empowerment.
I believe all of us have the longing, and are entitled, to be acknowledged and appreciated.
The importance of maintaining a relationship of collaboration with my clients is vital to my work,
as is the importance of trusting the client's ability to choose the path which they see, at that moment,
as being best suited for their growth, sense of safety and emotional health.
My Current Focus for Counselling Sessions
I believe that many people suffer from the loss of a sense of purpose in their lives, particularly in their later years. We are encouraged culturally to believe that "more is better" of the exterior things in life and less and less importance is attached to our internal sense of our strengths and well being. The things that offer a deep sense of joy and meaning are often put aside in the busy-ness of life and we may often feel lost and out of touch with ourselves and what matters to us. Particularly as we age, we really need to draw on those strengths to begin to cope with the inevitability of our declining years.
Spirituality, by my definition, is the essence of those things which are meaningful to us and which provide us with a sense of deep connection with spirit, self and others. While formal religious beliefs may be included in one's spirituality, they are not an essential part of it. The profound connections which have sustained us over time are, I believe, at the root of our ability to negotiate all stages of life in a healthy, joyful and productive way.
With these ideas in mind the focus of conversations with clients will be:
* Negotiating life transitions
* Developing deeper spiritual awareness and practices
* Addressing issues around grief and loss
* Enhancing current interpersonal relationships
* Exploring the benefits of creative expression
* Addressing aging and end-of-life issues
Spirituality, by my definition, is the essence of those things which are meaningful to us and which provide us with a sense of deep connection with spirit, self and others. While formal religious beliefs may be included in one's spirituality, they are not an essential part of it. The profound connections which have sustained us over time are, I believe, at the root of our ability to negotiate all stages of life in a healthy, joyful and productive way.
With these ideas in mind the focus of conversations with clients will be:
* Negotiating life transitions
* Developing deeper spiritual awareness and practices
* Addressing issues around grief and loss
* Enhancing current interpersonal relationships
* Exploring the benefits of creative expression
* Addressing aging and end-of-life issues
Selected Work Experience
* Board member, VIDEA-Victoria International Development and Education Association, 2015 to present http://videa.ca
* Contract counsellor, Bridges for Women, 2014 to present www.bridgesforwomen.ca/
* Continuing Studies instructor, Guest Presenter: University of Victoria, 2008-2013 http://www.uvic.ca
* Volunteer health care worker, Lesotho, Rwanda, Kenya - Africa, 2007-2011
* Workshop presenter: Citizens Counselling Center, 2009/10 http://www.citizenscounselling.com/
* Consultation and workshop presentation: The Cridge Center for the Family, 2006-2010 http://cridge.org/
* Instructor, Counselling Skills for the Clinician, Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, 2007
* Counselling services: Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Health Services, 2005- present
* Disaster relief work, TOP: Trauma Outreach Project, New Orleans LA, 2005/06
* Contract counsellor, Bridges for Women, 2014 to present www.bridgesforwomen.ca/
* Continuing Studies instructor, Guest Presenter: University of Victoria, 2008-2013 http://www.uvic.ca
* Volunteer health care worker, Lesotho, Rwanda, Kenya - Africa, 2007-2011
* Workshop presenter: Citizens Counselling Center, 2009/10 http://www.citizenscounselling.com/
* Consultation and workshop presentation: The Cridge Center for the Family, 2006-2010 http://cridge.org/
* Instructor, Counselling Skills for the Clinician, Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, 2007
* Counselling services: Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Health Services, 2005- present
* Disaster relief work, TOP: Trauma Outreach Project, New Orleans LA, 2005/06
