Emotion-focused therapy was the modality I was first drawn to in my graduate training, and informed my initial post-graduate training choices. Some of the main trainings I completed are:

EFT for Couples Therapy Externship, Vancouver Couples and Family Institute

Intro to Emotionally Focused Therapy with Couples, Vancouver Couples and Family Institute

Emotion Focused Therapy for Individuals, Level I and II, Vancouver Couples and Family Institute

I find my foundation in emotion-focused therapy supports my deeper work in the somatic attachment realm.

I completed a two-year intensive somatic attachment psychotherapy training program with Lisa Mortimore (PhD) and Stacy Adam Jensen (MEd) in 2023, and joined their training team as a facilitator in 2024. This modality is described as the “reparation of early attachment injuries through a framework that weaves together: attachment theory, trauma studies, affect regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, interpersonal/relational psychoanalytic practice, somatic psychotherapy, and deepening connections to the sentient world” (https://bringingthebody.ca/)

I also trained with Stacy Adam Jensen on Chronic Shame in Clinical Practice in 2024, deepening my capacity for working with disassociation, dysregulation, and dysfunctional relationships to self- and others.

I resonate with the concept that we contain parts of ourselves that developed to protect us from pain, that may no longer be serving us. In reading a series of books on Internal Family Systems, I have found ways to integrate the language of parts into my somatic practice. I find the language of parts-work relevant to my own growth and healing, and can integrate it into our work where it feels resonant.

My first job as a therapist was with a sex therapy clinic (2020-2023), where I was able to learn from in-service programming, workshops, my colleagues and plentiful online resources - I also completed two significant trainings during that time:

Intensive Sex Therapy Training Program, University of Guelph

Sex Therapy Certificate, The Buehler Institute

I have also completed a Sexual Attitude Reassessment training, meeting all of the course requirements for AASECT certification - I chose to not pursue sex therapy specifically, but my chapter in the sex therapy world and the training/education I received during this time has allowed me to work with clients more deeply re: intimacy, desire, pleasure, consent, boundaries, sexual dysfunction and pain, and with folks exploring kink/fetish/BDSM and non-monogamy.

I started seeing couples during my practicum internship at The Adler Centre. I went on to train with the Vancouver Couples and Family Institute between 2020 - 2022 (see: emotion-focused therapy), which laid the foundation for my relationship work. My sex therapy training also included significant training on working with couples, particularly with desire discrepancy, expanding intimacy, and sexual communication.

My work with dyads (partners, friends, siblings etc) focuses on deepening your shared understanding of each other, safely communicating from more honest & vulnerable places, and allowing space to name hurt & harm in order to facilitate movement towards repair. 

Trauma-Informed Clinical Strategies for Equity, Inclusivity and Client Empowerment: Social Justice, Ethics & Diversity in Therapy (in-progress), PESI

Chronic Shame in Clinical Practice, Stacy Jensen, The Savoy Clinic

Somatic Attachment Psychotherapy (2-year), Lisa Mortimore, The Savoy Clinic

Intensive Sex Therapy Training Program, University of Guelph

The Sexually Competent Therapist, Allura Sex Therapy Centre

Sex Therapy Certificate Program, The Buehler Institute

San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, PHSA

Equity Inclusion and Justice Conference, Stratagem

EFT with Couples (Externship), VCFI

EFT with Individuals, Level I & II, VCFI

IFS/IFIO Treatment Methods for Sexual Trauma in Couples, Dr. Nancy Wonder, PhD

The DBT Skills, DBT Centre of Vancouver

Mindful Self-Compassion core skills training, with Kristin Neff

Trauma and Advanced Empathy, Lavender Counselling

Transforming Trauma through Fierce Love, AEDP Cascadia

Intro to Emotionally Focused Therapy with Couples, VCFI

Intro to Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, VCFI