About Me

 

I have been a registered social worker since 1997. I completed a Masters of Social Work (Wilfrid Laurier University), Bachelor of Social Work (University of Victoria), a Bachelor of Arts (Memorial University), a Criminology Certificate (Memorial University) and specialized training in Basic Accelerated Resolution Therapy (Rosenzweig Center for Rapid Recovery).

I have experience counselling couples, individuals, groups and families through their difficult issues including anger, depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, childhood and adult traumas, anxiety, PTSD, divorce, self esteem, child sexual abuse, parenting, grief and loss and adjustment to a chronic disease, eating disorders, and health issues.

I have a background in developing and facilitating psycho-educational and therapeutic groups relating to depression and anxiety, chronic disease self management, parenting, stress reduction, sexuality, gender identity, mindfulness and relaxation therapy. I provide mindfulness walks upon request. For example, in 2017, I independently developed and facilitated a 180 page workshop presentation for first responders on PTSD at their provincial annual general meeting.

I am passionate about supporting individuals and their families as they navigate and manage many ongoing or acute mental health issues, including trauma responses relating to flashbacks, dissociation, memory problems and nightmares.

I have primarily focused on PTSD, childhood sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, anger management, suicide intervention and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing.

I employ Accelerated resolution Therapy to quickly resolve PTSD, depression, anxiety as well as other mental health issues. I also employ brief, solution focused interventions, as well as CBT informed and DBT informed approaches. Personable and genuine, I have a solid reputation as a counsellor and facilitator both locally and regionally, with individuals and professionals contacting me regularly for therapeutic consults. I am also employed with Eastern Health addressing exclusively complex mental health issues.

I have completed enhanced and advanced levels, as well as SAF-T levels of training in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). This therapy resolves PTSD, OCD, sexual and physical assault/abuse issues, depression, anxiety and many other mental health issues in 1-5 sessions per issue.  See link below for more information on ART.

https://acceleratedresolutiontherapy.com

Education:

• *Masters of Social Work- Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, On*
• *Bachelor of Social Work- University of Victoria, Kamloops, BC.
• *B.A.- Major-Sociology, Minor English, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL.
• *Criminology Certificate- Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL*Accelerated Resolution Therapy (Basic), Rozenweig Center for Rapid Recovery, Orlando, FL.
• Professional membership: 
  Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers Membership #2007

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