ABOUT ME
I started counselling with two goals in mind: to help others improve their quality of life, and help them become the best version of themself they can be. Having lived experience using alcohol and drugs to self-medicate and cope with life myself, I know firsthand what people are going through. It may feel like a relief, or that it’s “helping” at first, but as time passes, it starts destroying people’s families, relationships, education, work, and entire lives. We enter a vicious cycle of using alcohol & drugs to try to cope with and suppress the things we don’t want to feel, think of, remember, or deal with. Next thing you know, the snowball effect takes hold and we are using more and more to deal with the new issues the substance abuse creates. Soon, our emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health begin to degrade- and further sickness and issues follow which may lead to death. This lifestyle isn’t sustainable and it doesn’t have to be the only way.
As a person living with ADHD and being “neurodivergent” since childhood, I’ve also experienced stigma in society, and from the very people we go to for help. I understand what it’s like to have reservations about opening up and sharing, or fearing judgement from people we go to for help. When working with clients I often hear “ How do you understand me so well?”, or “I feel like YOU JUST GET IT”. It’s because I truly do, and it’s why I entered this profession. I want to be one less person someone goes to for help and leaves feeling stigmatized and unheard- especially when discussing their mental health and addiction is already scary.
Having also experienced interpersonal relationships with people living with alcohol & substance abuse disorder, I understand what it’s like to live with and love someone in active addiction and recovery. Addiction often causes difficulty for both the person experiencing the addiction- and those around them. Because of this, I take an empathetic approach and work hard to help my clients and their families(when involved). I know personally how alcohol and drugs affect all the people involved, and how everyone deserves to be heard, respected, and given the help they ask for to make positive change. I work with a very trauma-informed approach and see my clients as individuals trying to cope with problems in their life- and feeling like they can’t without the use of alcohol or drugs. I’ve seen how recovery can create new beginnings and give people the life they want and deserve for themselves and those around them.
I have formal post-secondary education in Addictions Counselling, Criminal Psychology and Behaviour, continuing education in various types of Counselling Skills and Intimate Partner Violence training, and more. My career brings years of Individual and Group Counselling and Case Management work which provides my clients with professionalism and experience. This, combined with my personal interest in spirituality, philosophy, and finding meaning in life, helps me to assist my clients in focusing on their needs and strengths, and achieving their goals in life through recovery. I help my clients develop self-awareness and how to reflect in order to understand the reasons for their use. Also, to build new skills and develop healthier habits in order to change their lives. Through hard work and dedication, individuals can and will recover. I’m here to help you learn how to cope healthily with stress and day-to-day struggles, adopt a healthier way of living and being, and succeed in your recovery journey. “You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Proud Member and Professionally Certified By CACCF. Professionally Licensed and Insured. Psychology Today Verified Addiction Counsellor.
Proud Member and Professionally Certified By CACCF. Professionally Licensed and Insured. Psychology Today Verified Addiction Counsellor.
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Education
Addictions Worker Program, Honours Student, CDI College 2004-2005
Criminal Psychology and Behaviour. Sheridan College, Brampton, ON 2016-2017
Project Development and Management. Hamilton Community Foundation & Mohawk College, Hamilton, ON 2017
Trauma Counseling and Support Certificate. Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute- 2022
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Professional Credentials, Certifications, and Professional Involvement
Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation: Board Of Directors- Secretary (2018-2019), Member at Large (2020 to current). General Professional Membership (2018 to current)
International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor+
Canadian Certified Addictions Counsellor*
Canadian Certified Telemedicine Addiction Counseling Professional*
Medication-Assisted Treatment Specialist*
CACCF Harm Reduction Committee Chair
CACCF Committee Member: Community of Practice, Psychedelics Committee, Curriculum Review Committee
CACCF Membership Committee- Co-Chair
The Bridge Program From Prison To Community-Hamilton, ON, Chair 2023, Board Member 2022
City Of Hamilton Drug Strategy Team (2020 to present)
SafeTalk Training (suicide awareness).
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).
First Aid and CPR
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (In renewal)
Canada Data and Privacy Protection Laws Training
*Certified and Credentialed by CACCF, the Addiction Counsellor Regulatory Body in Canada.
Certified and Credentialed by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium
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Continuing Ed, Workshops, Skills Training
Motivational Interviewing
CBT Skills Training
DBT Skills Training
Narrative Therapy Skills Training
Solution Focused Therapy Skills Training
Working with Family Violence
Working with Clients with Concurrent Disorders
Addictions and Grief in Recovery
Relapse Prevention for Criminal Offenders
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Identifying and Treatment Options
Trauma and Spirituality in Mental Health and Addiction
Intimate Partner Violence Training
Domestic Violence, Effects of IPV on Children in the Home, Building Resilience in Children who Witness Violence, and Trauma- Workshops & Webinars through Western University, London, ON
Pharmaceutical Treatment Options in Mental Health and Addiction
Workshops and Webinars on Inclusion and Diversity, Working with LGBTQ+ Communities, Working with Native Communities and Vicarious Trauma in Native Communities, Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Mental Health and Addictions, and Refugees and Trauma.