Biography / Background

Welcome to the page that helps illustrate why I love being a therapist… and, more important, how I know first-hand that life can be excruciatingly challenging, but how I also know that there truly are many bright lights along the way to help keep us going.

I grew up in various urban and rural communities in Alberta. It was a desire to change my life and find some stability in my early 20s that led me to Vancouver — with hopes that fresh ocean air and healthy living would help transform me. Fast forward many years later, I’m still taking in deep breaths and trying to make healthy choices, but thankfully with a lot more peace than ever before.

I am a mother, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a therapist, a survivor of sorts, and always a student in one way or another — continuing to learn each day… and very open to the insights of others in this ever-changing world that I hope to continue harmoniously adapting to as needed.

My ancestry includes hard-working Ukrainian immigrants who survived genocidal war complete with bombs, torched villages of communities (family members), and famine.

I also bear survival gifts from having been a child of: divorce, neglect, abandonment, incest, sexual assault, foster care, parents with addiction/mental illness, domestic & partner violence, and parental suicide. I use the term “gifts” to acknowledge appreciation for what I have learned and earned from my experiences — having had the opportunity to heal from them — including a sense of purpose to be here for others on their healing and wellness journeys.

Education / Credentials

My studies in psychology began over 35 years ago. This journey has included several years of deeper study into my own personal growth — inner work — and much-needed healing and self-development.

A few decades ago, my life perspective was transformed through a discovery of the true history of this country: the socially sophisticated and culturally rich societies of Indigenous Peoples — along with, unfortunately, all of the subsequent atrocities and injustices suffered at the hands of colonizers, clergymen, and politicians. An understanding of healing in the face of racism, oppression, and trauma in our communities took on more meaning than it ever had previously. I also recognized that Original Nations’ values resonated more with my core values and spirituality than those of mainstream society.

For over 20 years, my work in the community has been with adults, parents, families, elderly, children, and youth. For many years my heart has been, and still is, with the Indigenous community, however my experience also includes diverse populations both apart from as well as within this community.

Certification

I have a Master of Counselling Psychology (MC) from Athabasca University and a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from the University of Victoria.

As a “Registered Social Worker” (RSW), I am accountable to service recipients and the College and governed by the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW #14048) and must adhere to the Standards of Practice, Social Workers Act, College Bylaws and all applicable legislation.

The designation of “Registered Clinical Counsellor” (RCC) means that I am a registered member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC #13171), and that I have completed the education and supervision requirements to the professional and ethical standards upheld by the Association.

Professional Affiliation/Volunteer History

• Member, BCACC (current)
• Member, BCCSW (current)
• Volunteer, Helping Spirit Lodge
• Volunteer, Media Watch
• Volunteer, Youth Emergency Shelter
• Volunteer, PASSP (Public Awareness of Sexual Stereotyping and Pornography)

Professional Development

• Emotionally Focused individual Therapy (EFiT Level 2), Yolanda von Hockauf 2023

• Emotionally Focused individual Therapy (EFiT Level 1), Ali Barbosa, Robin Williams Blake 2023

• Traumatic Incident Reduction - Expanded Applications, Pauline Carey 2021

• Emotion Focussed Therapy Master Class with Dr. Sue Johnson, 2019

• Life Stress Reduction (LSR), Pauline Carey 2019

• Addressing Addictions & Fostering Attachment with EFT, Michael Barnett 2019

• Introduction to Existential Analysis - Käri-Ann Thor 2019

• Traumatic Incident Reduction - TIR Essentials, Pauline Carey 2019

• Core Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) Mental Health Training 2019

• Externship: Emotionally Focussed Couples Therapy, Yolanda von Hockauf, Veronica Kallos-Lilly 2018

• Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Self-Alienation, Janina Fisher 2018

• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Richard Harrison 2018

• Brief Solution-Focused Therapy: The Mindset & Skillset, Claire Sutton 2017

• Grief - How To Move From Pain To Peace, Pauline Carey 2016

• Healing Attachment Wounds with the AEDP Model, Dale Trimble 2016

• BC Association of Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Don Wright 2016

• C3 Delegation, Caring for First Nations, Laurie McDonald 2013

• Integrated Strategies for Home Visiting 2012

• Stress & the Family: Widening the Lens 2010

• Infant Abuse & Neglect, Safe Babies 2010

• Attachment Workshop & Modified Interaction Guidance Training, Diane Benoit 2010