I am a counsellor working in Vancouver, British Columbia. My primary area of work is with substance use clients, although I work with clients in the area of life requested. Throughout my work as a counsellor, I have developed a personal counselling style based on a Rogerian client centered approach that I find helpful in the development of a therapeutic alliance. It is my belief that people can, sometimes with assistance, discover and develop their own inner resources that make change possible. My job as a counsellor is to assist in that process. Sometimes people are discouraged and turn to substance use as a means of coping with the aggravation and despair in their lives. Over time, this coping strategy becomes the trap from which there appears to be no escape. Counselling can help to guide the client towards an individual solution. Like Rogers, I believe that all people have an inner drive towards growth and fulfillment. Assisting in reactivating the motivation for that drive is a primary function of substance use counselling.

I received a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology in 2008 from City University of Seattle. I also have a Diploma in Educational Counselling from the University of British Columbia, and a Certificate in Substance Abuse Counselling.

I began my counselling career working with adult males in the criminal justice system. However, I have now broadened my scope of practice. In private practice, I see clients with many personal dilemmas. Many of these clients have no substance use problems. My counselling philosophy and clinical approach, however, remains much the same, employing techniques that are consistent with my Rogerian principles.