A bit about me
I live in southwestern France, just outside the city of Pau, in the Ossau Valley. I am both a Canadian and American citizen, grew up in Quebec and Vermont, but have lived in France for well over a decade. My experience of living abroad, together with my multicultural marriage and my bilingual family, make me particularly sensitive to the issues experienced by those not living in their country of origin and those who are part of a mixed couple. I practice in English and in French.
I worked as an Academic Counsellor at the University of Western Ontario (2012-14) and as a Student Life Counsellor at the American University of Paris (2007-2012). In addition to these 7 years of counselling work with a diverse range of university-aged young adults from all around the world, I have more than 6 years experience working with youth and adults in institutional settings as well as community settings in both France and the USA. Alongside client-focused work, I have animated small groups and workshops around themes such as self-esteem, body image, personal/cultural identity, and other mental health wellness issues.
I graduated from Middlebury College in 2002 with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in French and Religious Studies. After many years in the professional fields of social work and counselling, I decided to further my education and started an intensive training in the theory and practice of psychology and therapeutic methods. Since 2014, I have completed a Bachelor's of Arts degree in psychology with honors. In addition I have conducted graduate work through Athabasca University's Master of Counselling program based in Alberta, Canada.
As a counsellor in private practice committed to professional best-practices, I engage in regular professional supervision and regularly seek out continuing education/training opportunities in areas most pertinent to help my clients. I am trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), Polyvagal-Informed Therapy, Walking Therapy, Compassionate Inquiry, and constantly striving for more.
