Having been a client myself, I know firsthand that counselling can be enormously transformative and rewarding. At the same time, I understand that it can take incredible courage to come to therapy, which is why I consider it both an honour and a privilege to hold space for the people I work with.
My approach to counselling is client-centered, emphasizing authenticity, trust, connection, and the creation of a space where people feel safe, seen, supported, and empowered to grow. When working with individuals, I tailor this approach to each of their unique needs, incorporating elements from several evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness. In my work with couples, I draw primarily from Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), helping them to strengthen their relationships by developing communication and conflict resolution skills, trust, intimacy, and deeper emotional and physical bonds. Regardless of who my client is, my goal is to help them achieve meaningful growth and change by gaining clarity on their experience and building more rewarding relationships with themselves and others.
As a counsellor, I also strive to show up as my authentic, genuine self and recognize that it can sometimes be intimidating for clients to share so much about themselves. For these reasons, I often find it helpful to share with them a little about myself and my own experience in the world.
I’m a White, heterosexual, cisgender man, as well as a son, brother, husband, and father. I was raised by working-class parents of mainly British descent in the fishing village of Steveston, BC. It was in this culturally diverse community that I was fortunate to be exposed to people from many different backgrounds, leading to my lifelong fascination with human stories and relationships.
Struggling with anxiety throughout much of my childhood, I also found myself incredibly privileged to have the support of family, friends, teachers, coaches, and even counsellors of my own. Recognizing just how much I benefitted from the opportunity to reflect on and share my experience with these caring members of my community, it quickly became my goal to provide similar support to others by pursuing a career in counselling.
This led me, first, to The University of British Columbia, where I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Psychology, receiving the Jean Bolocan Memorial Prize as the outstanding student within the department upon graduation. I then volunteered for several years with a local crisis line as a phone operator, trainer, and coach before returning to school and earning a Master of Counselling degree from City University in Canada.
These days, when I’m not in session with clients, I can usually be found spending quality time with family and friends, travelling and trying new foods, birdwatching, playing guitar, attending concerts, or glued to my TV watching Formula 1.
