I have over 8 years experience in social work and 5 years experience in art therapy and clinical counselling. I began my career as a social worker in Cambodia, working with commercially sexually exploited women, then returned to Canada to continue this work with both women and youth. I learned about the compounding effects of early childhood trauma, substance abuse, and mental health. I observed that the absence of safe and supportive caregivers in a young persons life leads to greater vulnerability later in life. During this time, I also pursued a post-graduate certificate in art therapy and completed my thesis study on how effective art therapy can be as an intervention in alleviating the symptoms of traumatic stress. I continue to be passionate about using art therapy to process and alleviate the symptoms of trauma.

I returned to school for my Masters of Social Work in an effort to broaden my therapeutic skills. Through my practicum with the Calgary Family Therapy Centre I studied under Dr. Karl Tomm and practiced systemic family therapy which focuses on the interaction patterns within families, transforming families by identifying and bringing forward healing interaction patterns. After graduating from my MSW program I worked with the YW Calgary as a child and family counsellor. I used this time to focus my professional development on the application of attachment theory and interpersonal neurobiology in my therapeutic work with children and families.

In 2022, I joined Masters Counselling Services, following a maternity leave , where I now work part-time, providing art and talk therapy to children, families and adults. I see my therapeutic and psycho-educational work with children, families and caregivers as both interventive and preventative, supporting families in the present and protecting children’s outcomes later in life.