Professional Experience

21 years experience including over 21,500 clinical hours providing counselling and therapy to people profoundly impacted by complex mental, emotional and physical health problems, challenging occupational and life situations, difficult life transitions, relationship issues, crisis issues, trauma experiences, addictions and grief. 

 

It is not just my profession, it is my passion to help people overcome hardships, reduce suffering, enhance well-being and progress towards a better life - a more stable, happy, fulfilling, meaningful, purposeful, enjoyable and engaged life.  

 

I have been in full-time private practice providing psychotherapy and counselling to individuals, partners and family systems since 2014 and am concurrently a mental health service provider for Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife and HVE Healthcare Assessments. Prior to this, I engaged in full-time private practice specializing in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, counselling and rehabilitation services for individuals from 1999 to 2013. 

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Professional Development​

• Level 1 Trauma Counselling Certification, SickKids - Learning Institute (2019)

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy training, SickKids - Learning Institute (2019)

• Teenagers Today - Suicide & Psychotherapy, SickKids - Learning Institute (2019)   

• Registered Social Worker, Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (2014) 

• Masters of Social Work/Juris Doctor, University of Windsor (2011 to 2014) 

• Cogntive Behaviour Therapy training, Dr. Christine Padesky, Cognitive Workshops, Toronto (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015)

• Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP), Dr. Michael Sullivan, University Centre for Research on Pain and Disability, Montreal (2009)

• Complex Disability Management & Behaviour Therapy Program, Dr. Harvey Anchel, King's Health Centre, Toronto (1999)

• Certification in Lifestyle Counselling, York University (1998)

• Bachelor of Science, Specialized Honours Kinesiology and Health Sciences, York University (1994 to 1998) 

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Volunteering and Personal Interests

Outside of work, my passion to help, motivate and inspire others led me to become a volunteer at the Oshawa YMCA, where I have the ongoing pleasure of instructing group fitness classes every week. My mission is to ensure everyone feels welcomed and wanted, to ensure each person challenges themselves at their own level, and to make sure participation makes people feel good. I strive to see people leave with a big smile and a greater sense happiness and contentment than when they arrived. Truly such a great opportunity to add positive value and support to the lives of many! Beyond the group fitness classes, I have also hosted mental health group workshops at the YMCA and I actively participate in several annual fundraising initiatives to support children's programs as well as provide children, individuals and families in need with membership assistance and access to activities, sports and life-enhancing supports such as camps, employment programs and housing initiatives.    

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Personally, I challenge myself to overcome adversity with sport challenges to enhance my own well-being, life enjoyment and feeling of empowerment. I always benefiting from the journey and process of training, always benefit from the supportive people I meet along the way, and always cherish the experiences and memories race days bring about. 

 

My sporting history includes completing several marathons (Niagara Falls, Boston, Mississauga and Muskoka), several duathlons, a few running races (Sporting Life 10k, Toronto Harbourfront 10miler, Harry's Spring Run Off 8k), a few mountain bike races, several multi-sport adventure races (Storm Racing and Wilderness Traverse), one 4-day expedition race (Untamed New England), and one triathlon (Ironman Canada).  This year I completed my second Boston marathon in April 2022 and I am about to start training for Chicago marathon that will take place in October 2022.  

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I do not just talk-the-talk, I walk-the-walk.  I believe in facing fears, setting goals, putting in effort to achieve change, accepting and coping with the ups and downs as part of the journey, and both recognizing and being proud of achievements. I know it takes courage, effort, dedication, commitment, strength and resiliency to make change happen in life, sport and wellness alike!

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