I am the founder of the Centre for Change and currently serve as President of the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA). In 2017, I founded the Centre for Change with a vision of creating a sanctuary for adults in Ottawa’s west end and across Ontario—a private, serene, and hopeful space where people can heal, grow, and create meaningful change in their lives.

My demeanor, both personal and professional, is relaxed and warm.  In fact, I am probably best known for my warm down-to-earth therapeutic style with clients and I boast that this is due to my east coast roots!  I grew up in Nova Scotia and the east coast values instilled in me through my family and the culture, are an important part of who I am as a person and as a psychologist. I build partnerships with the clients I work with and together we formulate a plan that will address the specific difficulties you are experiencing.

Clients often ask me if people can change—yes change is possible, and I am proof.

I practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and its specialized forms of treatment for PTSD, Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) which form 2/3 of my practice. Although I work with individuals experiencing a variety of difficulties, much of my focus and expertise is helping first responders and their families – RCMP, firefighters, police, paramedics, veterans and military members who have experienced operational and/or traumatic stress. Other areas of my clinical expertise include workplace stress, anxiety, and mood related problems.

I have been honing my skills and advancing my knowledge for the past 15 years. I have received advanced training and supervision in CBT, and I regularly attend local, national and international workshops and conferences in CBT. I love my work, and I am humbled when individuals risk being vulnerable with me so that I can be of service.

Prior to working in private practice, I worked at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Care Centre in the Mood and Anxiety, Dual Diagnosis and Community Mental Health Programs. In these roles, I was responsible for conducting assessment and delivering individual and group therapy for individuals experiencing significant difficulties with bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety.

• College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO)
• The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
• The Ontario Psychological Association (OPA)
• The Ottawa Academy of Psychology (OAP)

• I have presented at national, international and world conference proceedings
• I have served as an ad-hoc reviewer for the Institute of Mental Health Research and for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America
• I have served as an Adjunct professor (University of Ottawa, University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University and Dalhousie University)
• My own research findings have been published in top-tier, peer-reviewed journals including The Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, European Eating Disorders Review and Cyberpsychology, and Behavior and Social Networking