Statement of Diversity
Land Acknowledgment
I live and work on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Stz’uminus, Penelakut, Snuneymuxw, and Quw'utsun Nations. ‘Unceded’ means that these lands were never legally signed away by the Indigenous peoples who inhabited these lands prior to colonization. I am committed to working to address the wide-reaching effects that colonization, genocide, and systemic racism have had and continue to have on Indigenous peoples, and to participating in the work of decolonization both in and outside of therapy.
Statement of Diversity
I celebrate and affirm the diverse identities and experiences of my clients. Diversity enriches community and I am committed to appreciating and championing the dignity and worth of each person I have the honour of holding space for. Valuing diversity also means ensuring that I do everything in my power to make you feel seen, safe, and valued in our therapeutic work together.
I understand that each person I work with, and myself as a therapist, lives within the wider context of our communities and cultures. Our society has been built on the oppression of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) and upholds intersecting forms of oppression that affect each of us differently. I recognize the traumatic impact of discrimination, oppression, and exploitation in any form it may take, including micro-aggressions, invisibility, increased experiences of violence, challenges to economic stability and mobility, decreased autonomy, as well as internalized oppression and post-traumatic stress. One of my core values is social justice and this means I am committed to working against all systems of oppression.
I strive to create a safe space where those who entrust me with their stories can feel comfortable exploring the importance of their identities and life experiences with regard to diversity and how this relates to their counselling goals. I recognize it is one thing for me to say I am safe and another for you to feel safe. I want to co-create with you what safety means for you in a therapeutic setting. 

I also recognize my own limitations, aware that I am a white, cisgender, able-bodied, middle-class woman. As a result, I am committed to a lifelong journey of learning to foster my own awareness, healing, and growth, knowing my own experiences and biases can impede therapeutic work. I am open to feedback and accountability, knowing that I will make mistakes. I am committed to my own ongoing work of acknowledging my implicit biases, listening to people who have experienced marginalization, as well as continuing to learn how I can join with movements to dismantle oppressive systems and support systemic change. I won’t always get it right but I am not going to let perfectionism get in the way of moving toward social change and advocacy for my clients.
Your identity will be welcomed, embraced and celebrated here. As a queer woman myself, I know how important it is to have places where you feel a sense of belonging and acceptance and I also know the pain of not being fully accepted. I am committed to providing an environment that is affirming of your whole self.