I will be your ally, guide, collaborator and witness. Together we'll look at what's not working, what you want for yourself, and how to get there. And along the way we'll celebrate your progress! (Neuroscience shows that pleasure plays an important part in learning.)
Before training as a therapist, I worked in a technical field (using psychology to design software that is easy to use).
I'm Canadian, have traveled extensively, and I value diversity and social justice.
My psychology master's degree is in Integral Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, in San Francisco. One of the areas of specialization is combining psychology and spirituality.
COUPLES THERAPY TRAINING
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) Externship Training
EFT - Facilitating Forgiveness Conversations for Couples Workshop
EFT - Working with Anxiety in Couples Therapy Workshop
EFT - Sex and Couples Therapy Workshop
EFT - Several quarterly meetings with topics such as EFT with New Parents
AEDP for Couples Immersion Training
AEDP for Couples Advanced Core Training (6 months of small group training with creator, and master therapist, David Mars)
EMOTIONS, TRAUMA AND NEUROSCIENCE TRAININGS
AEDP - Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Immersion Training (AEDP)
AEDP - Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Essential Skills Training
Neuroscience of Polyvagal Theory Workshop, Stephen Porges
Intersection of Neuroscience and Buddhist Wisdom Workshop, Dr. Dan Siegel and Jack Kornfield
Internal Family Systems Training
Trauma and Zen: Studying the Self using Somatic Experiencing Workshop, San Francisco Zen Center
MINDFULNESS, SPIRITUALITY AND CREATIVITY TRAININGS
Six years of weekly study and practice of mindfulness in the Zen Buddhist tradition, including ten intensive week-long meditation retreats and a month-long retreat. Led by Zen teacher Cheri Huber, with a focus on self-compassion, working with the inner critic and self-hate, transforming suffering into freedom, and using depression as an opportunity for self-acceptance.
Five years of weekly study and practice of mindfulness in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, including five weekend meditation retreats and a month-long retreat. Led by the Shambhala Center with a focus on The Heart of Warriorship: Discovering Your Basic Goodness.
Intensive retreat in the Peruvian Amazon with an indigenous healer.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Mindful Approach to Rapid Clinical Change Workshop, Dr. Steven C. Hayes
Process Work Psychology Two Year Training, Langara College
Trauma and the Soul Workshop, Donald Kalsched
Painting Your Personal Mythology Workshop, JFK University
TEACHING
Using AEDP to Help Clients Feel More Secure in Their Relationships, peer presentation at Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center
Introduction to Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples, peer presentation at Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center
Using Emotionally Focused Therapy with Couples, interviewed by Imagery International Association
How Healing Happens, interviewed by Ethosynthesis blog
Volunteer Assistant at EFT Hold Me Tight couples therapy weekend workshop
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Board member of Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center (2016-2018)
International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Northern California Community for Emotionally Focused Therapy
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Institute
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
East Bay Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
