Yes! I work with both youth and adults. While Youth Wellness Therapy has “Youth” in the name, my practice is open to people of different ages. I work with youth, teens, and adults around concerns such as anxiety, self-esteem, emotional regulation, trauma, relationships, substance use, life transitions, and more. My approach is tailored to the individual, so sessions can look different depending on your age, needs, goals, and what feels most helpful for you.

Counselling doesn’t have to feel intimidating, overly clinical, or like you’re being judged. My approach is warm, practical, and down-to-earth. I want you to feel comfortable being yourself while we work together to understand what’s going on and find strategies that actually fit your life. I work with youth and adults experiencing things like anxiety, low self-worth, emotional overwhelm, trauma, relationship difficulties, substance use, and life transitions. I draw from approaches such as CBT, DBT, ACT, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed practice, while adapting our work to what you need. You don’t have to have everything figured out before coming to counselling. We can start wherever you’re at, work at your pace, and focus on what feels most important to you.

I’m a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the BC College of Social Workers and have experience providing counselling and mental health support to both youth and adults.I have a Bachelor of Social Work and am currently completing my Master’s of Counselling Psychology through City University of Seattle. My education and clinical experience have included individual and group counselling, mental health and substance use services, crisis intervention, assessments, treatment planning, and working with people experiencing a wide range of challenges.My professional experience has included work in mental health and addictions, forensic community services, child and youth mental health, employment and education support, and private practice.My counselling approach draws from CBT, DBT, ACT, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed practice, and interpersonal approaches. I also continue to build my knowledge through ongoing education and professional development.Most importantly, I believe good counselling is about more than having credentials. I bring a warm, practical, non-judgmental approach and work collaboratively with each person to understand what they need and what will actually be useful in their day-to-day life.

I work with youth and adults experiencing a wide range of concerns. Some of the areas I most commonly support include:Anxiety, stress, and feeling overwhelmedLow self-esteem and self-worthEmotional regulation and intense emotionsTrauma and difficult past experiencesRelationships, communication, and attachmentSubstance use and changing your relationship with substancesLife transitions and major changesDepression and low motivationCoping with difficult emotions and life circumstancesYouth mental health and behavioural concerns I also work with people who aren’t sure exactly what’s wrong but know that something doesn’t feel right. You don’t need to have a diagnosis or a perfectly defined problem before reaching out. We can start with what’s happening in your life right now and work from there.

Both social workers and counsellors can provide counselling and mental health support, but their education, professional training, and scope of practice can differ.As a Registered Social Worker (RSW), my training is grounded in social work, which looks at both the individual and the environment around them. This can include mental health, relationships, family dynamics, trauma, substance use, housing, employment, systems, and other factors that can affect a person's well-being. I have also completed extensive counselling training and am currently completing my Master’s of Counselling Psychology, which further develops my clinical counselling knowledge and skills to become a RCC. A Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) is typically trained specifically through counselling or counselling psychology programs and registered through the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). In practice, there can be a lot of overlap between the two. The title and educational pathway are different, but both professionals can provide counselling. What matters is finding someone whose training, experience, approach, and personality feel like a good fit for you.

My approach is non-judgmental, practical, and focused on where you’re at right now. You don’t have to be completely abstinent or ready to stop using substances to talk with me. We can explore your relationship with alcohol or other substances, including what you get from using, what may be contributing to your use, and how it is affecting different areas of your life. From there, we can work toward whatever your goals are — whether that means understanding your use, cutting back, taking a break, reducing harm, or stopping altogether. I draw from approaches including motivational interviewing, CBT, DBT, ACT, and harm-reduction principles. We can also work on triggers, cravings, emotional regulation, coping strategies, relationships, and the underlying experiences that may be connected to substance use. There’s no expectation that you have everything figured out before you come in. We start where you’re at and work from there.

If you’re already abstinent, counselling can provide a space to maintain your recovery, work through challenges, and build a life that feels fulfilling beyond substance use. We can work together on:Maintaining your recovery and strengthening your confidenceIdentifying triggers and preparing for high-risk situationsManaging cravings, urges, and difficult emotionsDeveloping healthy coping strategiesNavigating relationships and boundaries in recoveryWorking through guilt, shame, or experiences from active useRebuilding routines, confidence, and self-worthFinding healthy ways to manage stress, boredom, loneliness, or overwhelmProcessing trauma or other experiences that may have contributed to your substance usePreparing for setbacks or difficult periods without viewing them as failureBuilding connection, purpose, and meaningful goals in your lifeRecovery isn’t just about stopping substance use. It’s also about learning how to live, cope, connect, and feel like yourself without relying on substances. My approach is non-judgmental and individualized. We can focus on whatever part of your recovery feels most important to you right now.