I was raised primarily by my mother and grandmother in a single household. It was these women who taught me that genuine warmth, compassion, and humor can create space for trust and healing to occur, and I strive to express these qualities in our therapeutic relationship. Before I returned to school to practice therapy, I spent six years in different roles at a local rape crisis center working with women, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming survivors of sexual violence. There, I had the opportunity to learn from some of the wisest and most generous people committed to building a better world and experienced what an honour it is to be a part of one’s healing. I am also a white, cis-gendered, queer, able-bodied, neurotypical, third-generation settler on the occupied lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I approach all my work with thoughtfulness around social and cultural contexts and pay attention to how access to power and privilege can shape relationships. I deeply believe all healing takes place in relationships in one form or another and that our healing supports our loved ones and communities. On one last personal note, I feel most at home with myself when my feet are on the earth, particularly in forests or when I’m immersed in the ocean. In my downtime, I’m often hanging out with my cat in the garden, making playlists, or cooking for the people that I love. I’m also often caught up in a podcast or a book that captures the complexity and beauty of what it means to be alive.
