When I started the ascent up the volanco, I was positive that I could run up to the summit. However, along the way the walk got harder and harder. My feet ached, I was out of breath, it was cold. I started feeling negative towards the volcano and what it was doing TO ME. I started to slow down and not care that the younger people were way ahead of me looking cool as cucumbers. I finally made it to the top and there the volcano offered me wisdom. As the lava - powerful and Earth-core hot - flowed gracefully downwards, the hill made way for the it. At times, difficult life events can feel like they will 'burn' us up, but if we learn to accept and let life flow, putting one foot in front of the other towards our goals, we can find contentment. Once I let go of accomplishing my 'perfect' climb and focused on the beauty around me, I started to really enjoy the experience. 

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I got interested in psychology in mid-life after being a university tutor and lecturer in Australia and Singapore. After completing a Master's in Counselling Psychology at the University of Toronto, I worked with a wide range of people from many walks of life: prisoners, cancer patients, seniors, persons with disabilities, and tertiary students. 

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At Solaris Cancer Care, South West office, I had the privilege of working with cancer patients and their loved ones. I learned that journeying with a serious illness such as cancer, people can and do live good lives as long as they have strong psycho-social supports. 

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Most recently, I have moved into focusing on trauma, in particular, childhood trauma (including both abuse and emotional neglect). People experiencing childhood trauma have Complex PTSD, a chronic and long term form of PTSD accumulated over the span of their childhood and beyond (beyond refers to the patterns which evolved in childhood which continue to play out in their adult lives). Recovery requires patience and time to heal the abandonment depression, fear, and shame which are hallmarks of childhood trauma. Ultimately your goal is to reprocess and integrate the trauma memories so that they are no longer triggered in present time as if happening now, even though, they happened in the past. Before any of this reprocessing can begin, you will work with me to build safety and stability in the body and mind developing your inner resources and strengths.