About Heather
Experience and Training
I worked as a social worker in Northern BC from 2007-2014 before moving to the Sunshine Coast. Some of my work included residential treatment centre as well as work with families in a non-profit setting - supporting families understanding neurodivergence through assistance with assessment, supports, and resources.
I specialise working with children, youth, and adults who have experienced trauma; working from an attachment focus togehther we build on strengthening relationships within the individuals life as a foundation for individual growth.
I have also completed additional training towards my registration as a family and civil mediator in BC and is working towards completion of her full Roster registration.
My Personal Journey
I have experienced many moments through my life that have been pivotal in my understanding of the significance of counselling. I am a parent of three teen-age and young adults who I have raised independently. There have been many challenges through this journey, loss, grief, suffering, and joy. The use of counselling to support my own healing has been integral to my success today as well as the strength of my family.
I hold a belief that in sharing the weight of the pieces we carry we open the door to healing. My goal is to create safety and space, to honour where you are at on this very individual journey, and to use my strength of compassion and empathy to support you in this moment of time.
I am mindful of the courage needed to begin this process at any stage and I am honoured to walk along side you. Our work will focus on present, moment-to-moment attunement and awareness of our shared experience together and through this, provide you the opportunity and safety to connect with your emotions and experiences using curiosity and gentle kindness.
My work is rooted in attachment theory including Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) and relational therapy models and is shaped by culturally responsive and socially just principles.
Approach
My therapeutic style is relational, compassionate, collaborative, and structured. I care deeply about establishing an emotionally safe relationship with each person I work with.
My approach to therapy is integrative and trauma-informed, meaning I draw from different therapy models to guide my work and I’m sensitive to the impact of trauma.
The therapy models I integrate in my practice include: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for individuals, couples, & families, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO), and Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST).
Master of Arts (M.A.), Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University—Fredericton, NB (2021)
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W), Child Protection Specialisation, University of Victoria —Victoria, BC (2007)
2025 - Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) - Immersion, AEDP Institute
2024 - Attachment Healing Through Memory Reconsolidation Experiences, Envision
2024 - Specialised Trauma Treatment Training, GreenShield Health
2023 - Non-Evaluative Child Interviewing, BC Hear The Child Society
2023 - BC Hear The Child Society Roster Member
2023 - Mediate BC Associate Roster Member
2023 - Practicum Supervisor Training, Yorkville University
2023 - Empowered Supervisor Training, Pauline O’Brien
2023 - EMDRIA Approved EMDR Basic Training, ENVISION Counseling & Consulting
2022 - Family Law Mediation Fundamentals & Advanced Mediation Skills, CLE BC
2022 - OEI Level I (Observed & Experiential Integration), SightPsych Seminars
2022 - Psychological First Aid, Johns Hopkins University
2022 - Family Violence Screening Training for Dispute Resolution Professionals, CLE BC
2022 - Emotion Focused Therapy - Attachment Science in Practice, Psychwire
2022 - DBT, Psychwire
2022 - Understanding Firefighter Culture & Trauma, First Responder Health
2022 - Understanding Emergency Worker Trauma, First Responder Health
2021 - SAN’YAS: Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
2021 - Self-Regulation, MEHRIT Centre
2020 - FASD Online Training Project, Douglas College
2020 - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Condition, FASCETS
2020 - Foundations in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Level I & II, CANFASD
2019 - Indigenous Focusing-Orienting Therapy: Indigenous Tools For Learning - Train the Trainer
Certificate,
2019 - SMART Recovery Facilitator Certification & Friends and Family Certification
2007 - C6-Child Protection Delegation, BC Provincial Government
