I’m Here to Help.

I am a psychologist with 20 years experience. I use research-supported strategies to treat mental health issues and improve people’s lives.

Mission Statement

Providing compassionate, evidenced-based psychological services to improve people’s lives.

My Approach & Philosophy

I view therapy as a collaborative process. My role is to help people achieve their goals. I also tend to be very active in therapy; i.e. I assign a lot of homework – work for clients to do between sessions. I strive to get skills on board as fast as possible. I want my clients achieve something in every session – learn a new skill/strategy, gain insight into their issues, process raw emotions or otherwise getting relief. If that is NOT happening, I want my clients to speak up to get us back on track.

I approach therapy from a holistic perspective. In order to have good mental health, you must have a healthy brain. Because the brain is part of the body, having a healthy brain requires having a healthy body. In order to achieve all of that, it is important to survey all aspects of a person’s life.

Adequate sleep is crucial to good brain functioning. Likewise, eating regularly and eating healthy food is critical. Regular exercise has been found to improve just about every mental health issue. Similarly, dealing with underlying physical health issues is important. Physical health issues cause stress, and stress makes physical issues worse. Equally important is socializing and having healthy relationships. Finally, it is very important to ensure that clients are having fun and engaging in the activities that they love, or as I put it: “putting more life into life”.

My therapy approach can best be described as eclectic; i.e. I draw upon various approaches in my work – not just one. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and I tend to start with these basic strategies when clients are new to therapy. Cognitive refers to thinking and behaviour is what you do. CBT deals with the interaction between emotions, thinking, behaviour and the physical body. I am also trained in Emotion Focused Therapy so I am always drawing those concepts into my work. Over the past 20 years, I have been engaged in continuous professional development and learning. Therefore, I am constantly learning new strategies and implementing these techniques in my work.

INTERNSHIP & PRACTICA TRAINING

APA/CPA Accredited Pre-doctoral Internship                                              September 2003 – August 2004

The Rehabilitation Centre – Royal Ottawa Hospital

Chronic Pain, Neuropsinal Unit, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders and Intensive Assessment Program.

Therapy for chronic pain.

Neuropsychological assessment.

Individual and group therapy for Depression and Anxiety Disorders.

Psychotherapy Practicum                                                                               September 2001 – April 2002

Providence Continuing Care Centre – Mood Disorders Unit

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for chronic and severe emotional difficulties.

Neuropsychological Assessment Practicum                                                    January 2001 – April 2001

Regional Treatment Centre, Kingston Penitentiary

Neuropsychological assessment for organic brain disease and acquired brain injuries, learning disabilities, behavioural problems,

personality disorders, and emotional disorders.

Custody and Access Assessment Practicum                                                     September 2000 – December 2000

Family Court Clinic; Kingston General Hospital

Assessing parenting capacity for child welfare and custody and access cases.

Psychotherapy Practicum                                                                                 January 2000 – April 2000

Queen’s University Student Counselling

Psychotherapy for emotional disorders. Career counselling and study skills development for students.

Psychoeducational Assessment Practicum                                                       September 1999 – December 1999

Limestone District School Board

Assessing students for learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and emotional problems.

CLINICAL EMPLOYMENT

Psychologist – Private Practice                                                                       August 2011 – present

Summerside, Prince Edward Island

Therapy and assessment with children and adults.

School Psychologist                                                                                        December 2008 – June 2011

Western School Board of Prince Edward Island

Assessment of learning difficulties and behavioural interventions.

Educational Consultant                                                                                  October 2007 – December 2008

Western School Board of Prince Edward Island

Assessment of learning difficulties and behavioural interventions.

Psychologist (Candidate Registrar)                                                                 August 2005 – October 2007

Cape Breton District Health Authority

Child and Adolescent Services

Assessment and treatment of childhood emotional and behavioural disorders.

Assessment and treatment of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities

Clinical Consultant                                                                                           September 2004 – June 2005

Limestone District School Board, Kingston, ON

Assessing students for learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, and emotional problems.

Psychometrist                                                                                                   September 2001 – August 2003

Pediatric Cancer Clinic, Kingston General Hospital

Psychological assessment of patients for cognitive effects of cancer treatment, cranial radiation, and brain surgery.

ENGINEERING WORK EXPERIENCE

Electrical Engineer                                                                                           September 1994 – December 1995

MDS Nordion International
Kanata, ON

Electrical and electronics design for large and small scale irradiation systems.

Electrical Engineer                                                                                             October 1991 – April 1994

MDS Aero Support Corp.
Ottawa, ON

Design of electrical control systems for jet-engine testing facilities in.

Electrical Engineer                                                                                               June 1989 – October 1991

Canadian Pacific Forest Products Inc.
Dalhousie, NB

Project management and electrical design of control systems and power distribution systems.