To nurture is the process of caring for and encouraging the growth or development of someone or something.

At Nurture Me Counselling, a primary inspiration I utilize in the therapeutic process is the calming, healing and grounding effects of nature. Therefore, whenever possible, I offer clients an opportunity for sessions outside of the typical white walled, sterile office experience.  This includes not only a nature inspired therapeutic space but hopefully soon, will offer opportunities to have sessions outside, surrounded in nature, when weather permits.  

It's hard to write and talk about yourself, isn't it? I struggled in knowing what would be the most helpful to write here. I contemplated listing off my qualifications and training and the various approaches and technical jargon that I use with clients. But you probably came here hoping to get a bit better feel of who I am as a person instead. So, I am going that direction. For those who want to know my qualifications and training, you'll find that below. 

I was drawn to become a counsellor, after working for 17 years in the dental field, but mostly after I reached a point in my life where I  healed from my own traumatic past experiences. I grew up with domestic violence, experienced loosing my mom suddenly when I was 14 years old, and then isolated from the rest of my family shortly after. This led me to grow up in my teen years feeling scared, misunderstood, unlovable, confused and alone, while living with an alcoholic parent, who was lost in trying to cope as well.  

This experience resulted in me becoming fiercely independent over the next 3 decades in order to survive and not knowing healthy ways to navigate relationships and accept love along the way. The after effects that come with trauma snuck up on me and I didn't realize I was doing the things I was doing as a result of the earlier trauma I had experienced. I didn't know how to love myself and I placed my self worth in others, leaving me feeling more unlovable and struggling to find who I really was. I battled with an emptiness and anger that I denied and didn't understand. I was drawn to and fed into unhealthy relationships that felt familiar and therefore safe, but reinforced these negative messages, which further left me feeling like no one in this world was safe or that I could trust that I would not be abandoned again.  I unknowingly sabotaged the healthier relationships I did have, as I struggled to really get close to anyone. Another of the sad messages that trauma tells us.  

I got to a point where I knew something wasn't right and I couldn't keep living like this. I knew I wanted to redirect my life onto a healthier path. Become a more loving and caring person in my relationships and friendships, and be a more present parent who my kids could turn to for support and love. That led me to seek help in counselling.  It was the best thing I could have done for myself and the first step in learning how to nurture and truly love myself and heal from the past, so I could take back my present and future.  It has changed the course of my life, in a very positive way and has helped me to better navigate life's continued hurdles and recognize when I need to reach out for my own support. 

I strongly believe that learning is a life long endeavour and I now look forward to continuing to better myself and building the kind of life and happiness I always searched for in others, knowing now that happiness always comes from within. 

Trauma, grief and loss of all kinds, has a different effect on every person. From my own lived experiences, I have learned it can be a very lonely and isolating journey and the healing side of things can feel the same for a while too. But when you have someone who you can learn to trust and who walks beside you through this journey, it can be a profoundly positive and healing experience. Learning to listen to your own needs and nurturing those needs can be an incredibly empowering experience, that many of us never learn how to do. 

I invite you to reach out, if you feel I might be the right counsellor for you on your journey. 

SKILLS AND TRAINING

I am located in BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA and I am a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) in good standing with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada. I'm also Grief and Trauma informed. I hold a diploma as a Counselling Therapist and have completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. 

I am currently in the process of completing Gottman Level 2 Training as well as more advanced training with The Gottman Method to Treating Affairs and Trauma as well as various grief, loss, trauma & somatic (healing from within the body) trainings.