Welcome

Me…More Accurately

Upon reflection of myself as a psychologist, I notice I have a mix of ideas and ways approaching things that, at first, might seem contradictory - but I see as complementary. I offer you the following section as the most “authentic” telling of what I am like interpersonally and what values inform my clinical work.

I am Warm/Informal and Irreverently Dark Hearted

My way of relating to people is consistently warm, genuine, and practical. I am almost always informal - I go by my first name, I live in jeans and sweaters, and I have been known to use some “spicy” language on occasion (at times, frequently). I value being genuine and “real” with my clients. I feel like this helps us to connect on a deep level and I use my genuine reactions to client material in a clinical way when it is relevant. I work well with clients who are similar and with clients who need a warm and welcoming therapist to feel safe with.

By disposition, I am a playful and irreverent person with a quick mind that is made for finding humor in the darkest of places. I frequently use humor within sessions as a way of shifting negative emotional states, challenging ways of thinking and/or encouraging new perspectives. My clients and I laugh, a lot, in sessions. So much so, that my cackling actually needs to be factored in when considering acoustic controls in my office spaces. A colleague recently described me to another as a “zany extrovert”. That tracks. More seriously, my irreverence and sense of humor has helped me a lot in my own life. As a Psychologist, it helps me to titrate the intensity of my clients’ sense of my “therapeutic gaze”. It is a vulnerable thing, to be seen by another and to spend time under deep emotional waters. Humor helps us come up for air and helps clients’ tolerate the depth of therapeutic work.

I am Scientist/Practitioner, Organized Chaos and Eventually Relevant Associations

I have the heart and soul of both helper and scientist. I love the scientific process of discovery, investigation, learning and testing hypotheses. This translates directly into my clinical work. I offer and value a number of empirically validated treatments, keep myself up to date on research and I believe that the best care is always informed by science. My values around science also mean that I am fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with two booster shots and take precautions during in-person services.

For better or worse, I have a brain that is extremely fast, it has a lot of thoughts and ideas and it processes information rapidly. This means that at any given time, I have a lot of thoughts and ideas about your issues and how to help you. I notice patterns and make connections, I can pivot rapidly, and notice quickly when things in therapy are going a bit sideways and then correct it. These are great qualities to have as a therapist. Anything in excess, however, will always be potentially problematic. While I value efficiency, I will sometimes get very curious about clients’ experiences and ideas. At times, I may guide us into less direct, more “scenic” routes through exploration, understanding and treatment processes.

This tendency has been rewarded enough (but not always) for me to continue with it. I have become more accurate in deciding when to proceed directly with clients and when it might be helpful for us to meander a little. This lets me be open, flexible and willing to shift to something different, or sit with uncertainty that can be absent when one rigidly adheres to treatment protocols. Related to this is my frequent use of metaphor and storytelling in therapy. The narratives people have about themselves, others and the world are important in how we conceptualize what is happening and how we might need to intervene to produce the changes you want. Stories and metaphor help both of us communicate our ideas, perspectives and beliefs to each other as we work together.

I am Direct/Energetic and Validating/Gentle

More often than not, I do tend to be direct, active, and engaged in counselling sessions. This is most frequently experienced by my clients when I am providing you with education to help you think about what you are struggling with, developing a plan with you or cheering you on as you experiment with different ideas and ways of being in the world. Rarely will my clients not know what I am thinking as I value collaboration and transparency in the therapy process. Therapy effectiveness is always at the front of my mind and as such, I actively welcome direct client feedback if an approach is not effective or helpful.

These personal qualities tend to make me a nice fit for people who have had past trouble in therapy. These clients may also be direct, irreverent, reluctant and/or skeptical about psychological services. I am comfortable working with clients who need an assertive therapist who can coach and/or challenge them directly and/or want a therapist they don’t have to worry about offending. I also work in the heavy places of trauma and grief and with people who have seen little kindness in their lives. When needed, I am tender, validating, and have a slower pace that invites emotional intensity and expression. My experience has taught me that healing happens for clients in both the places of directed action as well as in the depth of emotional connection and awareness.

I am an Atheist That Is Drawn to Buddhist Principles

All faiths are welcomed in my practice as it is a deep sense of comfort and strength and guidance for many.  Although I was raised in the Catholic faith, I would describe myself currently as an Atheist. In recent years, Clinical/Counselling Psychology has been heavily informed by some contemplative practices (mindfulness/meditation) that have been taken from the Buddhist faith and “secularized”.  I have a deep appreciation for some of the fundamental ideas of this faith and have participated in some meditation training/experiences that are firmly located in Buddhist practices.  I have personally been deeply helped by these practices (Vipassana Meditation, Mindfulness Training) but I do not identify as Buddhist.  I will often encourage clients to learn meditation skills as there is mounting clinical evidence showing that being able to be aware and observe with equanimity our thoughts/feelings and physical sensations can be very helpful for our perceived sense of physical, and psychological “suffering”.  These skills are particularly helpful for anyone struggling with anxiety.  

My Identities & Privileges

I approach my clinical work from a place of cultural humility rather than cultural competency. I will always be in a process of increasing my knowledge of issues surrounding aspects of identity, community and culture. My learning and need to attend to it will not end at any point in my career. This also means that I expect that I will make mistakes, large and small, regardless of my intentions, as a therapist. As a result, I accept that at times, I will get and need to be open to receiving uncomfortable feedback from clients and initiate conversations about how our unique identities present in session and impact our way of relating and understanding one another. Incorporating these ideas into my practice necessitates that I have awareness of my own identities and areas of privilege. I share with you that I identify as a cis-gender, woman of color. I use she/her pronouns. I am a parent to one child in elementary school. I hold privileged positions by way of my education, socio-economic status, cis-gender, sexual orientation and being able-bodied. Feminist values and ideas are reflected frequently in how I relate to people and how I think about client’s experiences in their life and larger social/environmental contexts. In therapy I am likely to ask about aspects of your identities and intersectionality as it is important for our work together.

The Pandemic Changed My Life

It has been a rough few years for everyone as we have collectively had our lives disrupted and navigated this uncharted territory for ourselves and families. Although it has been a challenging two years, I have experienced tremendous growth as a psychologist. Working virtually has fundamentally changed how I practice and has given so many better access to psychological care. As such, I have left my position I had for over two decades at the University of Alberta Counselling & Clinical Services to pursue full time private practice.

I also have a dog now!  His name is Jasper, but also goes by “the little prince”. Jasper might be the single best thing for me to come from the pandemic.  If you have virtual sessions with me, you may see and hear him.  He is an excellent co-therapist.  However, on several occasions in early 2020, he was seen casually dragging my belongings behind me on camera while I worked.  He has since matured.

Fantastic Colleagues

Is it clear we might not be a great fit? Do you want a recommendation for another local mental health professional? Need someone for a friend or family member? Here are some links to some of my colleagues who are fantastic people and great clinicians!

Dr. Lauren Johnson, Dr. Lauren McCoy, Dr. Shelagh Dunn, Crys Brown, Dr. Agatha Murray, Dr. Tula Paul, Kelty King, Dr. Joanna Bolster, Dr. Olive Okraku, Tory Pino, Kenneth Murdoch, Brittany Budzan, Nicole Perry, Dr. Erica Dunn