Personal Background

Academic

My academic pursuits began on the east coast of the United States and continued in British Columbia. I've also participated in non-academic trainings that have included numerous workshops and conferences throughout the years related to general health, complementary health care, pregnancy, birth and midwifery, parenting, couples therapy, psychotherapy, energy healing, energy psychology, ecopsychology, spirituality, neuroscience, separation and divorce, mediation, parenting coordination, and collaborative practice.

  • M.Ed. in Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia:
    Areas of Focus: Psychospiritual Approaches to Counselling, Separation and Divorce, and Cross-Cultural Counselling.
  • B.A., University of British Columbia:
    Psychology, Counselling, Family Studies, Fine Arts
  • A.A., Colby-Sawyer Junior College, New Hampshire:
    Major: Fine Arts; Minor: Psychology
  • Dartmouth College, New Hampshire:
    Social Studies, Fine Arts, Music

Presentations

I have presented on the following topics within the context of Collaborative Practice. These topics reflect an interest in spirituality or the meaning of life that I also bring into my general counselling practice.

The IACP stands for the International Academy of Collaborative Practitioners. It is comprised of lawyers, mental health professionals, and financial divorce specialists from countries around the world.

  • Mindfulness: The Essence of Collaborative Practice, 2011 IACP Networking Forum for Collaborative Practitioners, San Francisco, Cal.
  • Deepening Collaborative Connections: The Spiritual Dimensions of Trust, Commitment, and Competency, 2010 IACP Networking Forum, Washington, D.C.
  • Reflections & In-Visioning: Celebrating the Spiritual Component of Collaborative Practice, 2009 IACP Networking Forum for Collaborative Professionals, Minneapolis
  • The Spiritual Dimension of Collaborative Practice: Stepping Out & Reaching In, 2008 IACP Networking Forum for Collaborative Professionals, New Orleans
  • Realizing Joy in Collaborative Practice, 2007 IACP Networking Forum for Collaborative Professionals, Toronto
  • Raising the Bar: Collaboration With Our Higher Selves, 2006 IACP Networking Forum for Collaborative Professionals, San Diego
  • Tapping Your Way to Health and Well-Being, 2006 7th Annual Prevention Forum: "The Strength Within Us", MCF, Nanaimo
  • Into the Fourth Dimension with Collaborative Practice, 2005 IACP Networking Forum for Collaborative Professionals, Atlanta
  • The Spiritual Dimension of Collaborative Practice, 2004 IACP Networking Forum for Collaborative Professionals, Boston

Work Experience

I include a description of my employment history which began with teaching in a small village called Telegraph Creek in northern British Columbia, then branched out into part-time jobs as I parented four children in Smithers and Vancouver, and then finally evolved into full-time counselling employment.

Vancouver, B.C.

  • Individual, Couples, and Family Therapist: Private Practice
  • Collaborative Divorce Coach, Mediator: Private Practice
  • Collaborative Divorce Trainer: Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C.
  • Workshop Co-Facilitator: Collaborative Practice Training Pilot, MCF
  • Counsellor: Family Services of Greater Vancouver
  • Family Support Worker, Parenting Educator: Westcoast Family Resources
  • Rehabilitation Worker: Assistant to Nurse-Therapist
  • Supervisor & Counsellor: Mt. Pleasant Kivan Boys & Girls Club

Smithers, B.C.

  • Holistic and Pre-natal Counsellor: Smithers Medical Clinic
  • Doula and Birth Assistant
  • Group & Workshop Facilitator: Smithers Mental Health Network & N. W. Community College
  • Supervisor & Counsellor: Smithers Community Services Program for Pregnant Teens
  • Childcare Worker: Smithers Community Services Association
  • Tutor: private practice

Telegraph Creek, B.C.

  • Teacher: Tahltan Band School

Volunteer Experience

I would also like to include some of my volunteer activities which have focused on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, growth, and well-being.

Collaborative Practice

  • Former Board Member, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
  • Former Co-Chair & Founder, Collaborative Divorce Association of Vancouver
  • Nomination Committee, Collaborative Divorce Association of Vancouver
  • Presenter, 2004 - 2010 IACP Annual Collaborative Practice Networking Forums
  • Presenter, Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice
  • Co-Chair & Planner, 2004 IACP Annual Networking Forum in Vancouver
  • Former founding member Board of Directors, B.C. Parenting Coordinators Roster Society

Health and Counselling

  • Community Advisory Group - Alzheimer's Project
  • BC Women's Hospital Ethics Committee
  • Child Health Study Group
  • AIDS Conference
  • Hand in Hand: Community Outreach Health Program, Vancouver
  • Narrative Therapy Conferences (Vancouver, Toronto)

Global Concerns

  • Board of Directors, Compassionate Eye Foundation
  • Summit on Spirituality & Sustainability

Music

  • Vancouver Jazz Festival