About Me:

• My clinical background: I have a degree in English lit and psychology, and then went on to complete medical school and pediatric residency. After that, I did a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Sick Kids in Toronto, and post-graduate training in a variety of therapy techniques, with a strong focus on schema therapy, EMDR, ACT, and CBT. I have also completed overview trainings in coherence therapy, internal family systems, and dynamic emotion-focused therapy, and have familiarity with Patricia Crittenden’s dynamic maturational model of attachment, Shirley Schmidt’s developmental needs meeting strategy, and various advanced EMDR approaches including ego state/parts/dissociation-focused models (trainers and consultants have included Suzy Mattijssen, Janina Fisher, Kathy Steele, Andrew Leeds, Ana Gomez, Sandra Paulsen, and April Steele). My current practice is general outpatient pediatrics with a focus on mental health.

• My teaching background: I completed a Teaching Scholars program at Sick Kids, which gave me a good grounding in evidence-based approaches for coaching clinicians. I have worked with many learners at various stages and very much enjoy it.

• My clinical approach: I believe in a thorough and careful approach to assessment, combined with deep connection. I am also interested in exploring the role of experiences of joy, wonder, creativity, story, belonging, and natural beauty on emotional well-being.

• My approach to case discussion: I have a down to earth style and am good at helping people feel at ease. My goal is to help you to think both curiously and clearly about clients, build confidence in your ability to effectively help others, and feel encouraged and perhaps even a bit inspired.