I’ve been helping individuals and families work through life’s challenges for over thirty-five years. My journey into this work began in the 1980s when I was a child protection worker in rural Alberta.
I was invited to co-facilitate a group for adolescents who had experienced sexual abuse, and that experience shaped the course of my career. I became deeply interested in understanding the connections between childhood trauma, self-destructive behaviours, and recovery.
This led me to pursue a master’s degree in clinical social work at the University of Calgary, where I focused on systemic, structural, and strategic family therapy. My thesis centred on developing a framework for helping families in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD).
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of training with some of the world’s leading experts in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), including Judith Beck, Adrian Wells, David Clark, Melanie Fennell, Jeffrey Young, and Gillian Butler. I earned my certification as a CBT practitioner under Aaron Beck himself (a truly humbling experience) and later became certified as a CBT teacher and supervisor through the University of Oxford. I’ve also trained extensively in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to share my knowledge with others. While working in Norway, I taught an 80-hour seminar on treating SUD and co-occurring disorders at every psychiatric facility in the country. I also presented on this topic at an international conference in Italy—an unforgettable experience where attendees literally jumped out of their chairs and cheered after my talk! I even contributed a chapter to a Norwegian CBT textbook that’s still widely used today.
At the heart of my work is a deeply client-centred approach inspired by Carl Rogers’ principles of empathy and collaboration. I believe that building trust and rapport is essential, and I strive to create a safe space where clients feel genuinely heard and supported. My style combines evidence-based practices like CBT and DBT with systemic family therapy, which allows me to tailor treatment to each individual or family’s unique needs.
I work with people navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use disorder, relationship challenges, or the effects of difficult childhood experiences. Once we’ve established clear goals for change, I’ll help you strategically address obstacles while teaching practical skills to create the life you want. It’s incredibly rewarding to see clients discover their strengths and move toward lives that reflect their values.