When I did my ABC 1, I had it in my mind this may be a route I take vocationally. The course coincided with my second pregnancy, and I had terrible perinatal anxiety, depression, and postpartum depression. I was on a 6+ month waitlist to see a specialist in my city, and it wasn’t likely I would get in until at least 5 months postpartum. A biblical counselor through GCC was the only access to mental health care I had here in Winnipeg, and it’s not an exaggeration to say it saved my life. I want to minister the same care I received to my community, and to see more biblical counselors equipped in my province so everyone has access to the care they need when they need it.

Seeing God work is what I enjoy most. I have the privilege of seeing him meet people in their most vulnerable and broken places to bring healing and change. Having the honour of walking with others through their suffering and observing God work is amazing.

I remind myself that I am limited and give myself space to be a messy, imperfect person. I take time to rest with God, connect with my husband and children, and meet my practical needs. I seek joy and fun with my family and friends, and I try not to be too serious.

I have a special heart for children and adolescents. Children are a gift, and helping these young image bearers find their voices and learn to bring their experiences to God is always a delight to me.

I also have a particular interest in trauma and abuse. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist for Individuals, a CCTS in Sex Trafficking and Sex Industry Exploitation, and a Certified Christian Trauma Care Provider. I frequently work with victims of sexual and domestic abuse. Individuals who have been abused or experienced trauma can feel like their bodies aren’t safe places or that their bodies are working against them. God made us embodied souls, and helping people relate to their bodies as a safe, good place, and as a gift from God is such a joy to me.

Lane and Tripps “How People Change” is a favourite foundational counseling book of mine. One book that I continuously go back to personally and in the counseling room is Dane Ortlund’s “Gentle and Lowly”.

I’ve tried finding success and joy in my personal life apart from my faith and it’s a disaster. Now my life is so centered around my faith that I don’t believe I could separate it out of my personal life. I am active in my church, and I am thankful for the many relationships I have that help me be in a place of humble reliance on God in all areas of my life.

I enjoy dating my husband and going out for a good coffee with my friends. We have two little toddlers at home, so my hobbies have dwindled a bit as they get into everything I work on. I like taking my little girls outside to play, crocheting, embroidery, reading, and cooking for my family.

What has shaped my approach as a counselor the most has been my experience as a counselee. The counseling room was the first place I have really connected with the love, grace, and mercy of God. I seek to minister that to everyone I meet with. I also deeply understand how scary it is to work through the brokenness and suffering we experience in this life. Because of this I am very prayerful in my approach, and attuned to what my counselee is experiencing in session. I am mindful to move slowly, and not push too hard.

With lots of prayer. I need to be very deliberate about seeking peace and comfort from God when I am stressed or walking through a challenging time. Taking a few minutes away from the busyness to check in with God and connect with what I am experiencing instead of shoving it in a box to deal with later is a practice I have found to be immensely beneficial.