Trauma and grief are two types of experiences I have known for a long time. A difficult home life and early loss led to a lifelong journey in dealing with these experiences. Most especially, the loss of my father led to my desire to understand more about human experiences and suffering at a young age, awakening a calling that has led me here today. We are often driven to helping others because we first had to help ourselves, and after a lifetime of walking through my own trauma and grief journey, I might be the right person to assist you in walking through your journey. As a trauma-informed therapist, I aim to help empower clients and to be attuned to their needs as best I can.

As a therapist and a person, I am authentic and you can expect to be with the real me. I value being direct and honest and also very importantly, humorous. I don’t believe therapy should be any more grim than absolutely necessary, and I believe in appropriately balancing the tough work with some much needed levity. I strongly value compassion and wholeheartedness, and hold these values close in my approach to therapy.

I believe trauma and grief work are so important, and especially enjoy helping people with difficult experiences in close relationships. This is more formally referred to as Attachment-related concerns, which encompasses my present area of special interest. As such, I am very interested in working with adults interested in addressing early-life wounds. Presenting issues I am interested in working with include but are not limited to emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, interpersonal challenges, issues in romantic relationships and relationships with one’s children, as well as domestic violence and abuse.

To know me a bit better, I’ll share that I am very dedicated to my family and to personal growth, and, of my million rotating hobbies, I am presently most fulfilled by my love of reality TV, gardening, gaming, going to concerts, and sewing. If you think we might be a good fit to work together, please book in for an introductory session.

For more information about my professional training and background, click here.

Trauma and grief are two types of experiences I have known for a long time. A difficult home life... Read More

Everyone’s experiences with grief are nuanced, painful, and unique. I have grieved the loss of loved ones, relationships, careers, and hopes and dreams .In times of grief, I have felt alone and isolated with so many emotions and questions. Through my own journey of healing and recovery I discovered that we do not have to grieve alone, and healing is possible. I am passionate about the individuals knowing that they are not alone, healing can happen, and there is hope.

I believe in establishing a safe non-judgmental environment where all clients feel welcomed and empowered to share their stories. I listen with compassion and empathy and utilize several different therapeutic modalities to best serve the unique goals and needs of each individual. I am deeply honoured and committed to working with those who are experiencing difficult times and working with them through their recovery.

In my free time, I enjoy going for walks in the river valley, travelling, making music, and spending time with friends and family.

Everyone’s experiences with grief are nuanced, painful, and unique. I have grieved the loss of lo... Read More

My passion for The Grief Recovery Method first started during one of my psychology undergraduate courses at Concordia University of Edmonton. In my heart, I knew this was a training that I wanted to complete, as grief and loss is a universal experience. Little did I realize four years down my journey, how transformative and healing this training would be in my life. Healing from the loss of a family member with an alcohol addiction, to healing from the loss of pets. My healing journey from The Grief Recovery Method has been transformative, and having the honour to help others on their grief and loss journey providing tangible action- oriented steps is a privilege.

As a therapist, grief recovery specialist, and registered provisional psychologist, it is an honour to guide clients through The Grief Recovery Method. Working from a client-centered approach, it is a privilege to help clients develop tools and strategies to heal from grief and loss, anxiety, life transitions, all while developing emotional regulation strategies. My work includes working with teens, adolescents, and adults rooted from foundational theories of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Based Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.

I love travelling, one of my favourite places to travel include Mexico, Prince Edward Island, and the Caribbean. I enjoy working out, attending spin classes and circuit training classes. Family is very important to me, along with having pizza and baking nights with friends. All of these aspects are part of soul care.

My passion for The Grief Recovery Method first started during one of my psychology undergraduate ... Read More

My most significant encounter with loss came in 2019, when I suddenly and unexpectedly lost my dog, Sally. I struggled with this loss more than any other, but it taught me about grief and how each person will have their own individual healing process. This personal experience sparked a desire to help others along their journey. As a mother, I experienced postpartum depression with both of my daughters but found little support and was often left feeling overwhelmed and isolated. I am passionate about supporting people as they embark on their new roles as parents. Working with individuals who are experiencing infertility and pregnancy loss is another area that inspires me and I hope to let those people know that they are not alone. I hope to work with clients using a person-centered approach that allows them to be heard and seen without judgement. Creating a space for those who are grieving is essential to their healing journey and I feel honoured to be a small part of that journey. In my free time, I can be found playing with my daughters, running, and spending time outdoors with friends and family. I enjoy listening to music, attending live theatre, and singing in the car to my favourite tunes!

For more information about my professional training and background, click here.

My most significant encounter with loss came in 2019, when I suddenly and unexpectedly lost my do... Read More

Online booking is available to current clients only. If you are a new client, please call 780-288-8011.

My personal experience with trauma as a young adult is what initially motivated me to pursue my Master of Counselling. I recognize that the experience of trauma and loss can be extremely isolating; therefore, I strive to offer individuals the opportunity to explore difficult aspects of their life in a space where they feel seen, heard, and valued. I am continuously inspired by the strength and resiliency shown by clients, and I believe it is an absolute privilege to support individuals on their healing journey.

My approach to counselling is integrative, which means that I draw from several evidence-based approaches to support clients in a way that is best suited to their unique needs. I adopt a client-centered approach and draw heavily from cceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. As a trauma-informed therapist, I prioritize creating an environment that is safe, collaborative, and empowering. I believe each client is the expert of their own life, and my role is to guide clients in finding solutions that best fit their needs and goals.

In my personal life, I enjoy exploring new restaurants, hiking, curling up with a good book, and spending time with loved ones.

For more information about my professional training and background, click here.

Online booking is available to current clients only. If you are a new client, please call 780-288... Read More

For child/teen therapy bookings, please contact our office directly at capilano@healmyheart.ca or 780-288-8011 to complete your intake.

I care deeply about walking with people in their grief, and believe that the work of healing is a sacred journey. This belief has been influenced by my own experiences of grief and loss, spanning from various changes in my life, the death of significant friends and family, and the traumatic births of my children. There are times where we as people can feel very ill equipped to navigate these losses, so I seek to walk alongside my clients to remind them that they are seen and heard, their experiences matter, and that there is a way through the pain. Grief, trauma, and loss can cause great disconnection, and my hope is that I can help people feel more connected to themselves, others, and their experiences.

I love working with all age groups, and have specialized experience in the areas of family violence and abuse, developmental trauma, attachment disorders and injuries, death of family members and significant others, and single incident traumas. Some of the modalities I use in therapy include play-based, movement and body awareness, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), narrative, emotion-focused, and internal family systems. I also love using sand tray and art to help my clients express that which is hard to put into words and allow their bodies to process and incorporate loss on a deeper level.

I enjoy spending time with the people that I love, including my husband and twin boys. I love drinking coffee and having meaningful conversations, creating, and practicing gratitude. I value adventure and travel and making memories with my little family.

For more information about my professional training and background, click here.

For child/teen therapy bookings, please contact our office directly at capilano@healmyheart.ca or... Read More

NOT TAKING NEW CLIENTS Effective April 2024

I am inspired by the resiliency and inherent capacity for individuals to heal. Grief has traditionally been misunderstood and concealed, relegated to the shadows. I continue to be grateful for the opportunity to journey alongside others, providing support and authentic connection toward recovery. Throughout the course of life, loss is a universal experience; I too have worked though significant personal losses. My mother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in 2008. This loss was pivotal and life changing for me. It was the catalyst for me to return to school and obtain my Master’s in Counselling Psychology.

I provide a safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate therapeutic space for youth, adults and parents/caregivers. My approach is flexible and collaborative with foundations in Eye Movement and Desensitization (EMDR), Somatic and Body Based Approaches, Grief Recovery Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Ego States, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing and mindfulness. In 2019, I completed a 200-hour Akhanda Yoga teacher training.

I have a specialty in working with concurrent disorders, individuals with a mental health concern and substance use struggles at the same time. Often, unresolved grief and trauma contribute to this cycle; healing is necessary for recovery. I have supported people though a variety of lived experiences including relationship and job loss, childhood trauma and family of origin issues, identity exploration, parent-child relationship struggles, step-family integration, and residential school trauma.

In my personal life, I enjoy travelling and attending wellness retreats across the globe, music, time with family and friends, hiking, yoga, biking, and adventure. Continued learning, balance and self growth are also important to me. I continue to engage in continuing competency learning opportunities.

Please note I have very limited availability after 4pm and am not available on weekends.

For more information about my professional training and background, click here.

NOT TAKING NEW CLIENTS Effective April 2024 I am inspired by the resiliency and inherent capacit... Read More

OFFERING ONLINE SESSIONS ONLY AT THIS TIME.

I am deeply passionate about serving others who have been impacted by loss. It was not my academic or clinical training that propelled me into this work, it was my own painful losses, including my father’s alcohol and substance abuse and his death by suicide. Through my own healing journey, I developed an overwhelming desire to help others move beyond the pain caused by loss.

As a Registered Psychologist and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, I have facilitated thousands of Grief Recovery Method® Programs since 2013. I have supported people grieving a variety of losses including death, divorce, break-up, infidelity, miscarriage, infertility, postpartum depression, financial and job loss, childhood abuse, substance dependence, moving, loss of health, physical injury and paralysis, and loss of hopes, dreams, and expectations.

I am currently completing my third year of the Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) at California Southern University. My heart for grieving people and my desire to serve them in bigger and more significant ways is the passion behind why I am pursuing this program.

In my personal time, I love creating memories with my husband and two sons, vacationing in Hawaii and Arizona, and staying active through running and hockey. I am also a passionate hockey mom who loves spending weekends at the rink with my family.

For more information about my professional training and background, click here.

OFFERING ONLINE SESSIONS ONLY AT THIS TIME. I am deeply passionate about serving others who have... Read More

My first experience of grief and loss came at the age of eight when my grandmother, who was second mother, passed away from a stroke. My own experience of grief created a powerful sense of connecting to both myself and others on a deeper level. This loss compounded by other losses of family members and animal companions in my life were a paramount driving force for me to work in a helping profession.

As a social worker, I practice from a heart-felt and authentic framework and deeply value creating a safe space for people to explore their feelings. I see grief as a human experience that requires self-compassion in the healing process and that it manifests uniquely for each individual. I truly feel blessed that so many people have allowed me to be a part of their journey through various forms of grief including death of people/pets, loss of job, separation/divorce, substance use, financial changes and loss of meaning in life. I have also worked in palliative care settings where I have been able to offer comfort to individuals and their families during life’s transition recognizing the many challenges of losing a loved one.

In my spare time, I enjoy being with my two boys, my pets and keeping active. I have a deep spiritual connection with nature and spend much of my free time in the woods or traveling to the mountains.

For more information about my professional training and background, click here.

My first experience of grief and loss came at the age of eight when my grandmother, who was secon... Read More