My Story

I’ve always been curious about people, how we make sense of ourselves, and how we move through life. My own experiences have shaped that curiosity, including times when I’ve felt out of place, questioned myself, or tried to figure out what felt right for me. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate that growth is an ongoing process of getting to know yourself, being honest about who you are and who you want to be, and finding the courage to move toward that person with compassion, love, and self-acceptance. My personal journey has instilled in me a deep empathy and commitment to creating spaces where neurodiverse and 2SLGBTQIA+ people can feel understood, valued, supported, and celebrated.

Mental Health

I've had my own struggles with mental health, including depression, anxiety, and perfectionism. There have been times when life felt unbearable, when dreams changed, plans fell apart, and I had to learn how to care for myself, ask for support, and accept the care I needed. I've had to rethink plans, grieve the futures I thought I would have, and find my footing when things didn't go the way I'd hoped. Along the way, I've learned that I can't always think my way through a difficult experience or push myself into feeling better. I've grown into myself in ways I hadn't anticipated and built a life that feels more like my own. Those lessons didn't come easily, but they've changed how I relate to myself and the world around me.

Neurodivergent Identity

Growing up autistic and dyslexic has shaped how I understand myself and experience the world. What once felt like something that set me apart is now an important part of who I am, shaping how I think and move through life in ways I value and celebrate. That doesn't mean it's always easy. For me, and for many of my clients, it has been anything but easy. Navigating a world that wasn't designed with your brain in mind can be exhausting, even when you appreciate what makes you different. I believe we all benefit when we recognize and build on one another's strengths, support each other through challenges, and create environments where different ways of thinking and being are actively included, uplifted, and valued.

Queer Identity

As a queer, non-binary person, I’ve had my own experiences of navigating identity and figuring out where I feel understood and accepted. Learning to understand and embrace myself has been an ongoing process; part of my journey has been learning to question expectations about who I'm supposed to be and making room for who I actually am. I've experienced how meaningful it can be to feel seen for who I am, without having to explain myself, prove myself, or make myself easier for others to understand. These experiences have shaped how I approach people, with curiosity about who they are, openness to perspectives different from my own, and a recognition that there's always more to learn about someone else's experience.

Athletic Identity

Sport has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, from recreational soccer and ultimate frisbee to school swim and water polo teams, competitive gymnastics and trampoline, and university cheerleading. I competed in trampoline at the provincial and national levels, including international competitions in the US and Europe. Sport gave me community, direction, and an outlet for navigating other parts of life, but it also brought its own pressures. I've experienced the challenges of balancing personal goals with team dynamics, navigating relationships with coaches, figuring out how to push myself while taking care of myself, and navigating transitions between and out of sport. These days, my relationship with sport looks a little different. I'm still active, and you'll often find me doing hot yoga, exploring acrobatics, or doing anything that involves being upside down! Now, movement is about connecting with my body, enjoying the challenge of working toward something physical, and being present in the moment.

Education & Certifications

My educational journey was anything but linear. While I always had a clear sense of where I wanted to go, I didn’t always know the path to get there. I tried several different schools and programs before finding the one that aligned with my needs as a student. Each twist and turn taught me something invaluable, helping me grow both personally and professionally. Looking back, I feel fortunate to have taken the winding path I did, as it gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges people face when forging their way forward.

Bachelor of Arts | Human Relations and Spirituality

Minor in Conflict Studies | Saint Paul University, 2022

I studied Psychology and Family Relations and Human Development at the University of Guelph, then Psychology at York University, before finding the program that met my needs and interests at Saint Paul University (SPU). Studying Human Relations and Spirituality at SPU gave me a way to explore people's experiences within the broader contexts of their lives, including questions of meaning and purpose. My minor in Conflict Studies also gave me a practical lens for understanding how people navigate differences and relationships.

Master of Arts | Counselling and Spirituality

Concentration in Couples and Families | Saint Paul, 2024

I graduated with my MA in Counselling and Spirituality, with a concentration in Couples and Families, in spring 2024. My training prepared me to work with individuals, couples, and families using an integrative approach to psychotherapy. I also focused on topics including perfectionism, grief, neurodiversity, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Registered Psychotherapist (RP)

I am registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), which allows me to practise psychotherapy in Ontario and holds me accountable to professional and ethical standards. My professional commitments also align with the ethical principles and standards of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).

Apprentice in Mental Performance Consulting

My journey toward becoming a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) began during my Master of Human Kinetics in Mental Performance Consulting at the University of Ottawa, where I completed the first year's coursework. I decided to continue pursuing the CMPC designation outside the university program to better support my needs as an RP while balancing professional ethical responsibilities, client work, and ongoing education in a way that feels sustainable and aligned with my values. I am currently an Apprentice in Mental Performance Consulting, working toward the CMPC designation through the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA) and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).

Continuing Education

My professional development continues beyond my degrees. Through additional certifications, workshops, courses, and trainings, I continue to build on my knowledge and develop my skills.

Additional Certifications

• Boundaries Specialist Certificate (2026)

• Standard First Aid and CPR-C (2025, renewed)

• Youth Mental Health First Aid Certified (YMHFA) (2024)

• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Certified (ASIST) (2024)

• Trauma-Informed Practice Levels 1 & 2 Certified (2022)

Additional Courses, Workshops & Professional Development

• Artificial Intelligence in Behavioural Health: Top Ethics and Risk Management Challenges (2026)

• Clinical Applications of Internal Family Systems Therapy (2025)

• Autism Symposium: Actionable Strategies for Trauma’s Impact on Sensory and Emotional Processing (2025)

• Afrocentric Framework in Mental Health (2025)

• Empower and Elevate: An Unapologetic Guide to Supporting Black Athlete Mental Health  (2025)

• Mental Skills Training Programs and Tools (uOttawa, 2025)

• Ethics and Values in Sport, Performance, and Physical Activity Contexts (uOttawa, 2025)

• Essential Competencies for Mental Performance Consultants (uOttawa, 2025)

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Principles and Competencies for Practitioners (uOttawa, 2025)

• AI in Therapy: Navigating the Future of Mental Health (2024)

• Counselling Theories and Skills (uOttawa, 2024)

• Applied Research Methods for Practitioners (uOttawa, 2024)

• Selected Topics in Sport, Physical Activity and Health: Psychology and Pedagogy (uOttawa, 2024)