This information is intended to help you become more aware of my background, experience, theoretical orientation and approach to services. My goal is to assist you in becoming a more informed consumer regarding these aspects of my clinical practice.

Certification

I am Internationally certified (I.C.A.D.C.) by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation, which is the Canadian examining body of the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium / Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse (USA), to practice professional addictions counselling. My membership number is 750646. Certification indicates that a practitioner has met education, competency and supervision standards; however it does not endorse a practitioner’s particular approach to counselling nor does it imply the necessary effectiveness of that approach.

I am also a member of the Canadian Guidance and Counselling Association.

Professional Background

My educational background includes three substance use certificates in counseling. I completed the Conflict Resolution Certificate Program from The Justice Institute as well. I also have extensive training /supervision from various therapists and educators. The focus of my training has been primarily in the area of addictions & mediation (both youth and adult). In addition, I continue to broaden my experience through continued professional development and workshops. I am also pursuing academic training that will lead to an eventual Masters degree in counselling psychology.

My professional experience includes more than 14 years as a counsellor in various settings, including the Alcohol & Drug Services system of care (ADS) and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.

See Credentials.

Therapeutic Approach

I work from a client centered focus and believe strongly that you should have the freedom to express your own feelings, thoughts and intuitions and be supported in your own healing journey. My approach involves trusting in your ability to establish your own direction and maintain your own individual wisdom. I feel that you already possess the answers to your problems and need only be assisted in the process of accessing those answers.

My practice involves working with individuals, couples and groups. I generally describe my treatment approaches as being creative in nature; that is giving you a safe environment in which to allow your own inner spontaneity and wisdom to emerge. I am dedicated to helping you discover the necessary resources to move forward into a larger range of choice and action.

Above all, I am concerned with providing safety and comfort so that your needs and resources can emerge and be addressed.

The length of treatment will vary according to your situation. Sometimes I work with people for only a few sessions and often for much longer periods. I see some clients weekly and others at longer intervals.

Practice Standards

I emphasize the importance of keeping regularly scheduled appointments; this is essential to effective counselling. I book my appointments every month and will notify you at the beginning of each monthly period which appointment times are available. Normally, long term clients occupy the same time slot each period.

If you need to discuss, clarify, receive support or bring up an issue on the phone between appointments, please feel free to do so. I will not charge you for any time less than 15 minutes, but if the call exceeds this you will be charged for the additional time in 15 minute segments pro-rated on your regular fee. In addition, should an emergency arise between your scheduled appointments, please do not hesitate to call. If I am unavailable, leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible.

Client Rights

As a client, you can raise questions about my therapeutic approach or request a referral if you believe you might make more progress with another counsellor. I will be glad to discuss these matters with you and refer you to another counsellor at your request.

You have the right to confidentiality. I am ethically bound not to release any information to anyone without your written permission. The only exceptions to this are consultations with other clinicians or if I suspect you are involved in child or elder abuse, are in danger to yourself or others, or are unable to meet your own basic needs in taking care of yourself.

** See the PDF for more detail on each of these areas, including the fee schedule.