Background & Experiences

I grew up in a busy household as the eldest of four children, all very close in age. With both of my parents working full time, I learned early on what it meant to take responsibility, care for others, and adapt to the needs of those around me. These early experiences helped shape my empathy, resilience, and desire to support others.

During high school, I worked as a respite provider for families, supporting children with a variety of needs—including non-verbal autism and physical disabilities. Some of the children I worked with used wheelchairs and needed help with daily living tasks. This experience taught me how to attune to nonverbal communication, honour each person’s dignity, and meet clients where they are — lessons that continue to shape my therapeutic presence today.

While attending university, I was elected to student council for three consecutive terms, advocating for student needs and contributing to campus initiatives. I also founded Delta Alpha Theta, a women’s leadership group that has since grown into three chapters across Canada and hundreds of members—one of my proudest accomplishments. In the summer, I ran the Big Sisters summer camp for teen girls.

My involvement in mental health began immediately after graduation, when I worked for the Canadian Mental Health Association. This experience deepened my understanding of community-based care and strengthened my commitment to increasing access to support and reducing stigma.

For many years, I worked as a French Immersion teacher, supporting students and families across three school boards in Ontario. This role gave me firsthand insight into the challenges families face today—academic pressures, learning differences, parenting stress, and the impact of systemic barriers. I saw how mental health concerns can ripple through a household and affect entire support systems. That experience also opened my eyes to the emotional toll that comes with caregiving and helping roles. I often found myself supporting not only my students and their families, but also my colleagues—many of whom were stretched thin trying to meet the increasing demands of their work.

Before training as a therapist, I worked as a 911 police and fire dispatcher supporting individuals in high-pressure, crisis situations where quick decisions could mean everything. I also worked as a counsellor at a domestic violence shelter, where I supported women and their children as they worked toward safety, stability, and healing.

My time working in refugee and immigrant resettlement offered a deeper understanding of the challenges that come with displacement and starting over. It also deepened my awareness of how trauma, identity, language, and culture shape the healing process. I hold space for the grief of what’s been lost, the complexity of building a life in a new place, and the quiet strength it takes to carry multiple worlds within you.

I also worked as a civilian on a military base, where I came to understand the unique pressures faced by service members and their families—from long absences to high-stakes roles and the quiet toll it can take at home. s the partner of a first responder and former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member who served in Afghanistan, I’ve seen firsthand how the demands of service roles can deeply affect both the individual and their loved ones. The impact of trauma—whether it’s from a single critical incident or the slow buildup of chronic stress—can echo through relationships, families, and daily life. I hold space for the invisible weight that so many carry, including symptoms of PTSD, moral injury, and the pressure to hold it all together.

I’m also a mother of two children. I understand the weight of responsibility that comes with caregiving, decision-making, and trying to balance many roles at once. With no nearby family for day-to-day support, I’ve navigated the challenges of parenting while also learning how to care for my own well-being and relationships. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for stress management and the importance of caring for oneself while caring for others.

I’ve also been involved in humanitarian work in Haiti, where I witnessed the effects of hardship and limited access to essential services. My time spent studying in France further broadened my understanding of how our environments shape the way we move through the world.

Through these experiences, I’ve witnessed resilience—both in others and in myself. My understanding of trauma isn’t just academic; it’s personal. Having lived through profound loss and grief, I carry a deep, intuitive sense of how trauma can shape the body, relationships, and sense of self. I bring this insight into my work, creating a therapeutic space where clients can explore, heal, and grow in meaningful ways.