My counselling work follows from a diverse personal and employment history.

I was the oldest child raised in a family of 5 children and several intermittent foster children on a small-town farm where I learned to work independently, responsibly, and with appreciation for life and natural wonders at an early age. My family was often collectively engaged in supporting service club organizations and community projects, which instilled in me a sensitivity for the needs of others. I worked hard and enjoyed working outdoors.

I joined the army and became a medical assistant as a very young man. I became aware of global issues and human suffering while serving overseas during a United Nations deployment in Yugoslavia. I learned what it is like to endure traumatic stress reactions and about the importance of developing resiliency. I left the army to work on board Canadian Coast Guard Ice Breakers and Buoy Tenders for about five years before starting a family. I left the sea to spend more time with my wife and children. I laboured for a few years at a small sawmill. I am no stranger to hard work and long days.

I broke my back through a car accident during my army years and, over time, aging demanded that I shift my career focus away from the labour industry. I began my university studies focusing on gaining a greater understanding of people and culture. I studied to challenge my points of view and finished a bachelor’s degree with majors in Psychology and First Nations Studies. I have since completed a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and still strive to learn more. Human services work has followed my education.  

To integrate my life experiences and love for the wilderness, I have served as part of the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) from 2008-2024. In recent years, my efforts have been spent less with a pack on my back and more supporting resiliency through a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team that provides support services for 78 Search and Rescue teams across the province. Since March 2020, I have served as Clinical Director for the BCSARA-CISM team.

I have worked with youth since 2004 (16+ years) in various capacities, including: Group Home Youth Worker for high-risk youth, as an Intensive Support and Supervision Worker for youth who have committed crimes, and as a Family Development Therapist at a community non-profit agency in a small town. I also worked part-time at Nanaimo Christian School as a School Counsellor from 2018 until 2022 while developing a private practice in clinical counselling in 2017 and continuing.

I have been married since 1997 and have five children of my own, four of whom I have adopted. Two of the adoptions occurred via marriage, and two of the adoptions occurred via the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). Three of my children are now married adults. So far (2024), I have been blessed with eight grandchildren and look forward to a growing family. 

I am a Christian, but I haven’t always been. It wasn’t until early into the new millennium before life experience and personal examination led me to faith. I continue to explore this relationship.

I was born with British ancestry, and I appreciate diversity. I enjoy learning about different cultures and worldviews. I have spent considerable time and effort learning about First Nations cultures, with emphasis on Nuu-chah-nulth and Island Salish communities. I acknowledge my government’s history and impact on First Nations peoples, as well as the generational struggles that have followed. Exploring intercultural relationships has been an ongoing journey of heartfelt significance.  

I care about all people. My experiences have led me to believe that everyone has value. For anyone who will allow me the privilege, my goal is to support growth in vitality, wellness, capacity, and satisfaction in lived experiences. I am eager to support you.

I grew up in a family that loves music, singing, and caring for others in need. Service was a large part of family life during my early years, while my parents both engaged in community service clubs and often brought my siblings and me along to various community events. I learned early on about the importance of being an active participant within the community and showing care to all people. 

I was the youngest of three siblings until I was ten years old. At that time, my parents divorced, and from that time forward, I quickly learned what it was like to live within a blended family system. For my family, the transition from living within an intact family to a separated and then divorced family system was painful, confusing, and full of conflict. Out of this experience, I developed great empathy for children and parents and the difficulties that often arise from family conflict and family breakdown. As a result, I am passionate about supporting families to navigate the unique complexities they are facing.  

During my late teens and early adulthood, I embraced independence, experienced early motherhood, navigated single parenthood, and faced the challenges of living within significant financial constraints. I juggled work while attending university, striving to balance the demands of family life with my professional responsibilities. During this time, I gained a great familiarity with uncertainty, fear, anxiety, depression, and the discomfort that comes along with it all. All of this personal experience informs my work today as I seek to support others with their own distinct life circumstances. 

With experience spanning childcare settings, preschools, and roles as a child protection and adoption social worker, I bring a wealth of insight into family dynamics. As a wife, parent to five children, and grandparent to eight grandchildren, I’ve navigated diverse family structures firsthand. Additionally, I’ve served as a foster parent and have experience as both a birth and adoptive parent. This rich tapestry of personal and professional roles, coupled with my educational background, equips me with invaluable knowledge and practical skills in family conflict resolution, child development, neurodiversity, marital challenges, stress management, mental health support, and effective parenting strategies.

During my tenure as a front-line worker, I’ve served as a social worker in highly stressful environments where systemic challenges often hindered optimal functioning. Through these experiences, I’ve grappled with burnout and the hypervigilance associated with trauma responses. I deeply resonate with the principles outlined in “The Body Keeps The Score,” fueling my passion for aiding others in finding solace from the lingering impact of traumatic events. This journey has ignited a profound interest in the workings of the nervous system, the body’s mechanisms for processing and retaining trauma, and strategies for facilitating healing.

For those who may be curious, I did not grow up in a spiritual home. However, I did attend church sporadically as a child, and in my adult life, after much searching, I found faith as a Christian. I know what it is like to live on both sides of faith and respect all people, regardless of their beliefs. 

I am a trained play therapist and individual, family, and couples counsellor, and I am eager to serve you. I hope you reach out to me today.