"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride
Inigo's Guide to Networking Success
- 1. Polite greeting
- 2. Name
- 3. Relevant personal link
- 4. Manage expectations
Inigo Montoya is one of my philosophical role models.
I'm passionate about what I do, and I hope you feel that from our very first conversation.
I'm a true believer that therapy is for everyone. There is nothing quite like seeing a client reach that turning point where they start to thrive. The breakthroughs I've witnessed in this work are amazing, and I love being part of that process.
My Path to This Work
I didn't start out as a counsellor. I worked in an entirely different field before changing careers in my 30s, and I completed my university degrees during that decade.
What moved me to make the leap was my own experience in therapy. It changed my life decades ago, and it's the reason I believe so deeply in the power of mental health support and the therapeutic relationship. I know what it feels like to sit on the other side of the room, and that shapes how I show up for every client.
Why I Opened My Own Practice
For years I worked for a large mental health company. Along the way, I went through burnout myself, and I came out the other side.
That experience made one thing clear: mental health and emotional safety needed to come first in my own life. I was feeling stronger and healthier, and I didn't want to put that at risk by returning to the corporate race. So I took a leap of faith and focused on growing my private practice.
There were growing pains at the start. It's also been the best decision I've ever made. And it means that when you tell me you're running on empty, I understand it from the inside.
My Why
I see mental health as the great equalizer. It affects everyone. The past influences everyone. We all carry something that shapes how we live today.
And yet many people never reach out for support because of the stigma that still surrounds it. I want to help change that, one person at a time, by making therapy feel approachable, human, and accessible.
How I Work
My approach is holistic and trauma-informed. I look at the whole person: your background, lived experience, personality, family, work, and what gives your life meaning. Together, we draw on what fits you best, including:
Therapy is real work, and it can still feel good. I like to bring warmth and even a little humour into the room, because healing and lightness can exist side by side.
Experience
Before entering private practice, I gained diverse experience supporting clients across a range of settings, including pediatric hospital care, domestic violence shelters, Indigenous health organizations, and police victim services. My experience also includes grief support facilitation, critical incident stress debriefing and psychological first aid.
Education and Credentials
- Master of Arts, Counselling Psychology (MACP), Yorkville University
- Bachelor of Arts, Honours Psychology, University of Ottawa
- Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), BC Association of Clinical Counsellors, License #6636
- Canadian Clinical Supervisor (CCS), Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, #11265137
- General Member, The Menopause Society
Curious if we'd be a good fit?
Book a free consultation. It's a relaxed, no-pressure chat about what you're looking for and how I can help.