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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 life transitions, personal
and spiritual growth, past and present life trauma and interpersonal relationships.

The core of my work is the facilitation of the development of a strong sense of Self, 
clarity about what matters most to my clients, and a greater experience of
meaning in their lives. 

I am very excited by 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.

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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 13 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 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 see myself as a facilitator of that process.

Selected Areas of Counselling Experience

* Life Transitions 
* Past and present trauma experiences 
* Self Esteem and Interpersonal Relationships
* Spiritual Companioning
* Grief and Loss 
* Issues related to People of First Nations 
* Life enhancing creative expression
* Caregivers of the ill and elderly 

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