Counselling-Specific Questions
There are a few things that set me apart, making me the best choice depending on your circumstances.
- My 20+ years as a nurse and my applied background in psychology mean that I know health and illness, depression, stress, and anxiety, whether pertaining to your health or that of a family member, like few other counsellors.
- I am intimately experienced in death from my years in the hospital. I have been there with the dying person and their family members on countless occasions. I have also had unexpected, traumatic deaths in my own family. I know loss of every kind - whether it be your partner, your pet, your job, or your routine.
- I have a philosophy background in addition to nursing and psychology, making my approach extremely well-rounded.
Read more about my philosophical background elsewhere here in the FAQ.
Read more about my healthcare background on my About page.
I am a Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology [which means that I am almost done my Doctorate (PsyD). I have been going to school while working as a Counsellor!]. I have degrees in both Psychology (Hons. BA) and Nursing (BScN, MSN), and I have therefore spent decades caring for clients’ mental and physical health (and I therefore also understand how one impacts the other).
I have professional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Family-Based Therapy (specific to eating disorders), Emotion-Focused Family Therapy, Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, Crisis Response and Trauma Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
I have also been a nurse researcher and educator, with mental wellness components in both positions. I have volunteered on a suicide helpline and in an in-patient psychiatric ward, as well as several other opportunities. I currently also volunteer with Kids Help Phone..
Each new client intake session of 50 minutes is a $90 investment.
Each follow-up appointment is an $80 investment per 50-minute session.
I also offer pre-purchasing of 3 sessions at a time at the reduced rate of $225 which works out to $75 per session.
Please note - if you need financial assistance, a sliding scale is available.
Not unless you want to! (Have you watched The Good Place? I would definitely be friends with Chidi, but we don't have to have conversations like he did.)
One of the differentiators that sets me apart from other counsellors is that I have PhD education, during which time I studied the deeper philosophical underpinnings of healthcare, science, evidence, and caring.
What does that mean for my services?
That means that I can relate to you and be empathetic regardless of your background and outlook on life.
What this looks like in practice is that I might ask you different questions to understand your perspective, how you make meaning of your life, and how you understand your experiences.
Can you explain your philosophy to me?
Sure! I am a Moderate Realist Constructivist who practices from a Phenomenological perspective. Simple, right? Seriously though, what it means is that I see things as mostly tangible and real, but what really matters to you is your lived experience and how even the very process of us talking together changes each of our lives. We co-create meaning in our lives, and I discuss relationships and life through that lens.
No, my services are not covered by extended health. This means you can get in to see me faster than waiting to go through an EAP plan.
End of Life Doula-Specific Questions
I am unique in my services as an End of Life Doula in the Tri-Cities and Vancouver Lower Mainland region for the following reasons:
- I was a nurse for over 20 years, so I intimately empathize with your/your loved one's medical status. I can help demystify the terminology and communicate with your healthcare team on a level that is different than most End of Life Doulas. Please note, however, that when I am with you, I am not working with you as a nurse. My role is strictly as an End of Life Doula.
- I am intimately experienced in death from all my years in the hospital. I have participated in withdrawing life-support treatment from my patients. I have been there to support dying individuals and their families when infants, children, and adults of all ages have died, both with expected deaths and traumatic or unexpected deaths. I have also had unexpected, traumatic deaths in my family.
- I have a philosophy background in addition to nursing and psychology, making my approach extremely well-rounded. Read more about my philosophical background under the Counselling-Specific FAQ.
I have completed the Douglas College program in End of Life Doula care as well as a program in End of Life Global Challenges and Innovations from the University of Glasgow.
Additionally, I have completed local training courses in Advance Care Planning and Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment.
These courses and certifications also build on my training and practical work in death and dying as a nurse and in psychology.
Please see my package rates here if you are inquiring specifically about Advance Care Planning. I am not currently taking clients for End of Life Transition care.
Unfortunately, End of Life Doula services are not covered by extended health plans as of yet. Please feel free to join us in advocating for this coverage with your local government.
First and foremost, I am there to serve you and your family as you need. But there are certain caveats to keep in mind.
I am not working with you as a medical professional, and therefore I do not administer medications, do vital signs, or anything else that is the protected role of a nurse, doctor, respiratory therapist, or other licensed healthcare provider. Having been a nurse, I clearly understand what I can and cannot do in my unique role, and I will make this clear to you, your family, and your team.
I do not charge for any physical interactions with the decedent after death has occurred. What this means is that if, for example, the family asks me to help wash and reclothe you after your death, this is not part of my paid work, but I may do so voluntarily.
My Scope of Practice is clearly established and regulated by the End of Life Doula Association of Canada. I adhere strictly to these regulations and ethics.
While there are several things I can do to facilitate your planning and journey, I can't do it all!
I have a long list of colleagues with whom I work and I can definitely support you in finding and working with someone that meets your needs and fits with your faith, values, and needs. I do not push towards any particular provider. I merely provide a list and can facilitate connections and conversations, depending on how involved you would like me to be.