About me.
Who I am.
I grew up in North Africa in a family that loved travel, nature and meeting other cultures. I became a keen learner. As an adult, I’ve lived in a few cities and other countries (Toronto, Helsinki, Graz, Berlin, Chicago, Portland, Edmonton), experiencing different walks of life and learning through new perspectives and languages.
My greatest learning was as an Occupational Therapist, working more than a decade with an internationally recognized palliative care team. There I provided active and compassionate care to those in difficult pain situations in the end stages of cancer.
There I saw the body’s deep wisdom to adapt in creative, flexible and ingenious ways in the face of traumatic change.
I became fundamentally certain of the human capacity to heal in any stage and circumstance of life.
I saw that quality of attention is the key element.
My learning followed a path to become a Master of Psychotherapy and Spirituality in a program that holds great respect for the inherent healing processes within each person. From there I chose to study with two teachers of exceptional wisdom and humility, Bill (William Douglas) Bowen and Eugene Gendlin. They were each pioneers in experiential and somatic psychotherapy, areas of practice that are increasingly recognized as leading edge. It is a great privilege for me to provide a counselling and psychotherapy practice, and to also teach ways of paying attention that make therapy most successful.
I became certain of the human capacity to heal in any stage and circumstance of life.
People often ask about my clients . . .
All want to feel better. Most are interested in adding body awareness to their process. Many have had ‘talk therapy’ before, and are curious to find out how it can be enhanced through their body. I hold a deep respect for your pace. I meet you just where you are.
The issues my clients bring vary with the whole spectrum of life’s experience—and each person’s inner experiencing finds radical welcome here.
Many of my clients live and work a life of service. It’s possible that my familiarity with healthcare influences my caseload. For example, clients have been in professions such as social work, nursing, teaching, acupuncture, psychology, management, and spiritual care. They’ve been parents, spouses, artists and activists. Students and those discerning new directions have also found help and welcome here.
Although it might be interesting to know who have been my clients, if you are thinking about therapy with me, what is most important is having our first conversation to find out more.
Sweet clover in grass. Pexels photo by Ylanite Koppens.
Training & Credentials
Master of Psychotherapy and Spirituality (MPS), St. Stephen’s College, 2015
Focusing Oriented Therapist (FOT), The International Focusing Institute. 2015
Somatic Psychotherapy Training, Psycho-Physical Therapy Institute, 2014
Somatic Couples Counselling Training , Psycho-Physical Therapy, Institute 2015
Compassionate Inquiry Training - Gabor Mate 2016
Internal Family Systems (IFS), Training - Jay Early, 2018
Most important about the training I’ve received is bringing it to life.
I continue with on-going personal practice in all the areas listed above.
I practice what I teach.