Meet the psychologist

I didn’t come to be a registered psychologist in the typical way. My PhD from Simon Fraser University is in Developmental Psychology where I specialized in the study of infants, toddlers and pre-school children’s development. I was particularly interested the relationship between children’s temperament, behaviour problems, and parenting stress. My early training and studies gave me the desire to work therapeutically with children and their families, and so after graduating with my PhD, I returned to SFU to obtain a second Master’s degree, this time in Counselling Psychology. My internship was completed with children, youth and their parents, and I continue to counsel children and families, as well as individual adults and families in my private practise in Chilliwack. 

As a service provider for The Employee and Family Assistance Program since 2004 I have worked extensively with health care professionals in the Fraser Valley. In addition to my private practise I have provided psychotherapy on a First Nation’s reserve, and an agency specialising in the support of families experiencing divorce. Since 2005 I have worked as the Early Childhood Psychologist for Child and Youth Mental Health in Chilliwack where I do psychoeducational assessments, individual therapy and lead parenting groups. For the past 19 years I have been a faculty member with the department of psychology at the University of the Fraser Valley. 

My qualifications and experience aside, there are two important things I would like to convey in this small space where you learn a little about me: one, I have a wealth of experience and am comfortable with many diverse people; and two, I’ve been there. I’ve had a very rich life with challenging experiences, losses and change. Change is often distressing, and my hope is to come along side you unconditionally, without judgement, disapproval or approval, as you engage in the complex and dynamic process of change.

I engage in continuing education throughout the year as well as continuing competency requirements of the College of Psychologist.

Some certifications:

•  Completed certification in EMDR

• Completed training on The Invisible Wounds of War from  the University of  North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

• Obtained a Certificate in Telebehavioural Health from TBHI.

• Kids have stress too! Certification for preschool aged. Psychology Foundation, Ontario.

• Infant Mental Health, Levels 1, 2 and 3.  Evelyn Wotherspoon.

• Certification in CBT for Anxiety. UBC/CYMH

• Attachment-based intervention: Watch, Wait, & Wonder. Nancy J.Cohen, Hincks-Dellcrest Centre and U of Toronto.

• Advanced clinical preschool assessment of attachment. Family Relations Institute. Patricia Crittenden, PhD.  

• Certificate of Mastery in the DIR/Floortime  Model from the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders.

• Trained in the assessment of attachment in preschool children by Patricia Crittenden founder of the  Dynamic-Maturational Model (DMM) of Attachment and Adaptation.

I am registered with the College of Psychologists of BC # 01977.
I am a member of the BC Psychological Association and the BC Play Therapy Association.