Our Staff Members

We believe that a friendly voice at the end of the phone is much preferable to an answering machine when you are looking for help. Phones are answered from 9 am until noon on weekdays. Calls are returned later that day or the following business morning.

She can also assist you with any other business inquiries or concerns related to our counsellors and our office.

Change and growth do not have to be painful. I always support reconnection with things positive and healing, and to the possibilities of developing new resources. Since beginning in private practice in 1988, I have made many shifts in my understanding about what allows people to make the changes they want in their lives. As people find their way, I have often observed how their best selves begin to come forward to support them through painful and confusing circumstances. When this happens, things become clear and change is more possible.

From my original specialty in Family Therapy, I have come to treating the after-effects of trauma. Training in EMDR in 1996 opened my awareness to new possibilities of change. Intensive training in Self Regulation Therapy began a journey in the Somatic Therapies. Clients often tell me that they are relieved to discover that they can leave my office feeling better even after they have dealt with difficult issues.

More recently I added Brainwave Optimization to my practice in the BrainWise Neural Integration program. A highly technical EEG based process, it helps to auto-calibrate brainwave activity and allow a return to balance and harmony. Working intensively with this program since early 2010 I was again able to support people initiate health, in this case generated by changes made by their own brain. A highly skilled technologist now manages the program, enabling me to return to my practice clients in the office and at Generation Farms.

People with trauma, depression, anxiety, loss, burnout, adjustment to disability and brain injury are all in my area of expertise. I continue to see clients, work with organizations and support my colleagues in our group practice. Years of Employee Assistance Programs and workplace interventions have provided experience in working with organizations.

Enjoying a lifelong interest in horses and the outdoors, in 2000 I began to explore ways of working with people and horses together for healing. Change through connection and mindfulness comes naturally with this approach. After dedicating three years to the BrainWise Neural Integration Centre at Marshall and Associates, I again spend much of my professional time at Generation Farms. Only minutes from the Bowen Road office, it is a haven of quiet and natural beauty. In addition to seeing clients, here we also offer a group program for residents of Cedars Cobble Hill addiction treatment centre and train professionals in the field of Equine Facilitated Wellness. I see clients in both at the Bowen Road office and at Generation Farms.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with BCACC, Certified in EMDR with EMDRIA, a member of EMDRAC and a Certified Trainer and Practitioner with the Professional Association for Equine Facilitated Wellness.

Life is about possibility and change. Hope is the path that leads us there.

Hello dear clients,

 I have made the decision that it is time to close my practice and retire.

 It is time to move forward and spend time with my family, take care of myself and look to what retirement can bring me. 

 My work has always been something I loved. You have brought great pleasure to me and have enhanced my life. The client/counsellor relationship is a very special one and I appreciate having known you and having had your trust. I will always remember the laughter along the way as we worked together. 

Much love to you,

 Joan 

Over many years and with the guidance of teachers and mentors I’ve developed a collaborative and relational approach which incorporates the use of active, or what’s sometimes called dynamic, mindfulness and includes a present moment and strength-based focus. By integrating experiential, sensory, and somatic practices along with drawing from my training in Hakomi (http://hakomiinstitute.com), Self-Regulation Therapy and creative pursuits, I offer a wide range of options to adults as they respond to relational, identity, personal development, life-transition or trauma-related challenges and opportunities.

In addition to meeting with clients in the office I’m also available to meet outdoors at Generation Farms where I include experiential, nature-based and Equine-Facilitated practices to support healing and growth. In this natural setting personal and relational resources can be developed and deepened.

While continuing to expand an inclusive and libratory approach within my practice I remain a life-long learner. I value natural systems as our primary teachers and am committed to the transformational powers held within the life-giving relationships we each have with ourselves, each other and the earth.

I offer some specialized tools in my toolbox including mindfulness training with an emphasis on self compassion, family of origin work including schema therapy, nonviolent communication training for all relationship conflicts, griefwork, cognitive behavioural therapy and spiritual guidance. I have treated a variety of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress and postpartum depression. I have two postgraduate degrees – Psychology and Social Work. I have extensive experience in mindfulness meditation and yoga teacher training of 200 hours. I am currently undertaking a two year programme through Hollyhock Learning Centre on Spiritual Guidance from Sept 2017.

I would be honoured to offer support to any person requesting assistance as a counselor.