Here’s a bit of my story…

Hello – bio’s are awkward and so here we go… I’m a 3rd generation mixed european white settler. I grew up on Treaty 4 territory which includes the traditional territories of nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda, and the homeland of the Métis/Michif Nation. I’m now living on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver, BC.

Growing up, I struggled to feel like I fit in to any particular box that I ‘should’ fit in to as a white settler cis-gendered female growing up in Canada. I went to business school and had a few different business school jobs. But I found myself continuously moving in and out of depression, anxiousness and disconnection from self. It was time to listen that thing inside of me that was pushing me towards my heart path. Finding Expressive Arts Therapy was like finding home inside of myself. I was able to start embracing all my parts – the messy, dark, scared, along with the light, playful and open parts.

I’ve always been considered goofy and awkward which wasn’t always easy growing up and I experienced bullying as a teenager. I was also deeply dedicated to the practice of Ballet and other dance forms. I believe having that outlet as a young person helped me to connect to strengths that I had and was a place I could escape from everyday pressures. However, the world of dance and Ballet is not an easy one to fit into either. I eventually found myself leaving and needing space from it as a young adult. When I reconnected with dance and movement practices later on as an adult, I became curious about how it can be used for healing and self-discovery. Expressive Arts Therapy weaves together my love of movement, the arts and curiosity for empowerment and healing.

In my spare time, I like to explore the world through different things like books, writing, poetry, dancing and experientially - whether it’s walking around my neighbourhood or biking around somewhere on the other side of the world.

My Approach

I have a playful approach to using the arts as a tool for exploration. I have always been one to test conventions and I believe in creating a safe, non-judgmental environment to do so. I believe working in the arts allows us to drop into a way of exploring the world with new lenses. By tapping into our senses we can start to examine our patterns for holding on to experiences and find new ways of release that can result in resiliency. I also remain deeply curious about our relationships with the natural world and seeking ways to weave this connection into our healing journeys.

In sessions, I guide clients through a creative process that allows them to step away from the everyday to connect with their imagination and intuitive flow. We approach art making with curiosity rather than worry about making something pretty. We use the art that emerges to speak to us and help us to see how things can be different. The creation process helps uncover our strengths and inner wisdom.