I support a range of individuals with a variety of mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, neurodiversity, trauma, and school or work-related issues. I have completed specialized training when it comes to working with children and adolescents, supporting individuals who have been impacted by sexual violence, formal testing and evaluation, differential diagnoses, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Giving back to the community is important to me; I have been a volunteer with the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton (SACE) since September 2019 where I completed 65 hours of intensive training in communication and support skills, sexual violence, anti-oppression, trauma, and the criminal justice system. Since I started volunteering with SACE, I have provided over 500 hours of short-term support and helped individuals access various resources through SACE's Support & Information Line and Alberta's One Line for Sexual Violence. Additionally, I have given my time to mentoring fellow volunteers and I participate in fundraising efforts. Supporting individuals who have been impacted by sexual violence is something I am extremely passionate about given the immense need for this line of work.
I was awarded the Rick Chalifoux/Jean Gauthier Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award by SACE in February 2023. I was also nominated by SACE for Alberta Blue Cross' Community Well-Being Grant Program and was 1 of 75 volunteers in Alberta out of over 250 nominations who received this award and recognition in August 2023 for my contribution to promoting community well-being.
I have been working in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorder for over eight years supporting emerging research, providing therapeutic intervention, parent coaching and support, and completing diagnostic assessments. I completed my Master's Degree capstone in the field of ASD by assessing what the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had when it came to the adaptation of telehealth for the diagnostic assessment process during the shutdown of services.
I was the Autism Clinical Lead at Insight Psychological where I first began my journey in private practice as a practicum student in the last year of my Master's degree. I provided consultation, training, and support to my colleagues to ensure competence when working with neurodiverse individuals.
In addition to my interest in completing assessments for ASD, I have experience conducting ADHD assessments, psychoeducational assessments, assessments for specific learning disorders, intellectual disability, and giftedness, as well as differential diagnoses. Supporting individuals to understand themselves better and to be able to thrive within their capacity is an area I feel strongly about and I curate recommendations and assessment needs to support clients in receiving the support and access to services they may need.
Outside of private practice, I work a few different roles to support the public sector. I am a Psychologist with Alberta Health Services supporting the Child, Youth, and Families - Addiction and Mental Health portfolio. I work as a Psychology Consultant for a charter school providing consultation to leadership, and teachers, to support them in their approach with students. Lastly, I am at the Stollery Children's Hospital completing assessments for research as part of a genetic double-blind clinical drug trial.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and my dog. My favourite forms of self-care are cooking my favourite recipes, baking desserts, playing Candy Crush (I'm a bit past level 9300), cleaning and tidying up my home, drinking bubble tea with friends, and going on long walks.