Associate Faculty
I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Alberta where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Psychology in 2001. I went on to pursue graduate studies with City University of Seattle in Edmonton in 2003. As part of Cohort 3 (before there was a campus and we just rented space where we could find it!), I have extremely fond memories of my learning experiences and colleagues. I appreciated the value placed on having instructors who were practicing in the community and brought real-time experience to every class. So, of course, I was so excited to return to City University as a member of the faculty in 2023 to bring the same energy and experience to students.
Professional Experience
I have been a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists since 2008. I spent the first 15 years of my career working in corrections where I gained invaluable experience providing assessment as well as group and individual counselling. I also facilitated DBT training for institutional mental health staff across the country. I have since transitioned to the private sector where I enjoy working with individuals and couples. I have a passion for working with first responders, trauma, grief and loss and addictions. I have completed training in a variety of modalities including EMDR, DBT, EFCT, Gottman, IFS, CBT and solution focused practices.
I have been teaching with City University since 2023 and I have taught with the Virtual Campus and the Edmonton campus; I have taught Addictions and Counselling Psychology Theory.
Teaching
Having had so many amazing teachers throughout my career, I consider it a privilege to be able to offer the same connection, compassion and guidance to students entering the field. I take the same approach to teaching as I take as a therapist, focusing on creating a safe and collaborative environment where we can focus on engaging with the subject. I appreciate the wide variety of perspectives and experiences that come into every classroom and strive for everyone to have a voice and to actively participate. I always learn so much from students and truly believe that having the opportunity to teach has also made me a better and more intentional practitioner.