Our Team

My training and experience focus around working with individuals and couples, and integrating faith with counselling. I have a passion for healthy marriages and helping people find healing and wholeness.

In working with couples I work from an Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) framework, helping you better understand your patterns of connection and disconnection.  This typically involves looking at the issues, the ways you and you partner pursue and/or withdraw, what’s going on under the surface in your head and emotions, and what you are needing from your partner to bring about greater safety, understanding, and engagement.  This can help bring about healing and connection.

In working with individuals I specialize in depth-oriented, attachment focused, and emotion-focused psychotherapy helping clients not only work on their current difficulties, but also exploring the development of their struggles in order to bring about long term healing and growth. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as one of the ways I work with trauma.

Some of the areas that I work with include:

• Marriage Counselling
• Premarital Counselling
• Relationship Difficulties
• Trauma
• Anxiety and Panic
• Grief and Loss
• Depression and dissatisfaction with current circumstances
• Difficulty emotionally connecting with others
• Men’s issues

Additional Training

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) Externship – Vancouver Couple & Family Institute
Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) Core Skills – Vancouver Couple & Family Institute
EMDRIA Approved EMDR Basic Training – Personal Transformation Institute
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Basic Training – Dave Phillips
Registered PREPARE/ENRICH Facilitator of Premarital Counselling – Enrich Canada

I practice from an Emotionally Focused Therapy and Attachment perspective in which I believe that our emotions are some of our most powerful messages about our needs, desires, and how we are experiencing our world. I help my clients understand their emotional needs for closeness and connection, how unmet needs contribute to disconnection with others, and how more helpful ways of connection are possible.

In the past few years I have worked with over 110 couples for pre-marital counselling. I am a licensed Prepare/Enrich facilitator and use their materials as well as EFT and the Gottman Method in my counselling. I love doing pre-marital counselling and look forward to helping more engaged or thinking about getting engaged couples.

On a personal note, I have been married for over 30 years and with my husband have raised two children. Additionally, I have many years of experience working in pastoral ministry. I have a personable, gentle, and compassionate counselling style which helps you feel supported in a non-judgmental space. I am honored to meet you wherever you are at and be part of your journey of healing and growth.

Some of the areas that I work with include:

• Relationship Difficulties
• Anxiety and Panic
• Burnout and Stress
• Depression
• Trauma
• Women’s Issues
• Women recovering from sexual betrayal (eg. affair, sexual addiction)
• Pre-Marriage Counselling

Additional Training

Master of Arts Christian Studies (MACS) – TWU
Diploma of Professional Counselling – Vancouver College of Counsellor Training
Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy Externship – VCFI
Gottman Relationship Institute – Level 1
Registered PREPARE/ENRICH Facilitator of Premarital Counselling- Enrich Canada
Trauma Counselling Strategies for Healing and Resilience – CTRI

Counselling is making space for understanding, healing, and moving forward. My mission is to provide a safe space for clients to be heard and to experience change. I work with individuals, couples, and families from a systemic, trauma-informed, and attachment-based framework. My clinical approach is informed by Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I believe that the key ingredients for change involve growing in a healthy relationship with one’s emotions and connection with others. I am excited about the opportunity to help clients discover, explore, and try something new.

Along with my counselling experiences, I have church ministry experience serving individuals and families as a pastor for over 10 years.

Dr. Diane Poole Heller writes, “We are not capable of healing in isolation. We need other people. We are hurt in relationship, and we heal in relationship.”  Whether you are experiencing difficulties on your own, with a significant other, or with multiple members of the family, know that you are not alone. I am available and committed to listen and walk alongside you in your journey towards understanding, healing, and growth.

Some of the areas that I work with include:

• Relationship Difficulties (Couples & Families)
• Anxiety and Stress Management
• Depression
• Trauma
• Spiritual Issues
• Pornography
• Life & Career Transitions
• Men’s Issues
• Cultural Adjustment
• Shame
• Pre-engagement

Additional Training

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy Externship- Vancouver Couples & Family Institute
Observed & Experiential Integration (OEI), Level 1- SightPsych Seminars Inc.
Making Sense of Kids, Level 1- Neufeld Institute
Integrating Family Assessment and Play Therapy- Trinity Western University
Registered PREPARE/ENRICH Facilitator of Premarital Counselling- Enrich Canada