My Background
Born in Nova Scotia and later moving to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, I have been privileged to experience life on the coastal landscapes of the eastern and western shorelines of Canada. Before pursuing my studies in Jungian Psychology, I was for many years a professional singer and voice teacher. I hold a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) and Master’s Degree in Music (M.M.) with a major in voice. For over 20 years I served on the faculty of the University of Victoria School of Music as an Instructor of Voice.
Throughout my life I have held a keen interest in psychology. In 2006 I made the life-changing discovery of the Psychology of C.G. Jung. Jung’s soul centered approach to psychology with its emphasis on the reality of the human psyche deeply resonated with me. In 2009, I set out to pursue a new vocation in the field of Jungian Psychology and moved to Zürich, Switzerland to begin training toward a Diploma in Analytical Psychology at the International School of Analytical Psychology (ISAP Zürich). I was awarded my Diploma in Analytical Psychology in December, 2014. I now maintain a private analytical practice in Victoria, B.C.
Analytical Training in Zürich
The training program at ISAP Zurich is an intensive post-graduate diploma requiring in depth study of the psychology of C.G. Jung. The training takes from 5 to 7 years to complete. Zürich based training offers one of the only full-time Jungian training programs available in the world today. At its foundation it honours the grassroots, 'classical' understanding of Jungian Psychology while incorporating knowledge from related, contemporary fields. ISAP is an international school with training candidates and analysts from all over the world, offering a rich tapestry of cultural experience. The program requires successful completion of two sets of comprehensive examinations covering a wide spectrum of psychological subjects. Other requirements include a clinical internship at a psychiatric facility and at least 300 hours of supervised clinical experience with clients. In addition, each candidate must submit a substantial and original Diploma Thesis.
It is unique to Jungian training that every training candidate is required to complete a minimum of 300 hours of Training Analysis. The Training Analysis is an in depth personal analysis which is central to the candidate's training. C.G. Jung maintained that an analyst cannot accompany another human being on their path toward wholeness without first having come to an understanding of his or her own unconscious processes. In other words, I cannot accompany my client to a place I have not been myself.
Born in Nova Scotia and later moving to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, I have been privileged to experience life on the coastal landscapes of the eastern and western shorelines of Canada. Before pursuing my studies in Jungian Psychology, I was for many years a professional singer and voice teacher. I hold a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) and Master’s Degree in Music (M.M.) with a major in voice. For over 20 years I served on the faculty of the University of Victoria School of Music as an Instructor of Voice.
Throughout my life I have held a keen interest in psychology. In 2006 I made the life-changing discovery of the Psychology of C.G. Jung. Jung’s soul centered approach to psychology with its emphasis on the reality of the human psyche deeply resonated with me. In 2009, I set out to pursue a new vocation in the field of Jungian Psychology and moved to Zürich, Switzerland to begin training toward a Diploma in Analytical Psychology at the International School of Analytical Psychology (ISAP Zürich). I was awarded my Diploma in Analytical Psychology in December, 2014. I now maintain a private analytical practice in Victoria, B.C.
Analytical Training in Zürich
The training program at ISAP Zurich is an intensive post-graduate diploma requiring in depth study of the psychology of C.G. Jung. The training takes from 5 to 7 years to complete. Zürich based training offers one of the only full-time Jungian training programs available in the world today. At its foundation it honours the grassroots, 'classical' understanding of Jungian Psychology while incorporating knowledge from related, contemporary fields. ISAP is an international school with training candidates and analysts from all over the world, offering a rich tapestry of cultural experience. The program requires successful completion of two sets of comprehensive examinations covering a wide spectrum of psychological subjects. Other requirements include a clinical internship at a psychiatric facility and at least 300 hours of supervised clinical experience with clients. In addition, each candidate must submit a substantial and original Diploma Thesis.
It is unique to Jungian training that every training candidate is required to complete a minimum of 300 hours of Training Analysis. The Training Analysis is an in depth personal analysis which is central to the candidate's training. C.G. Jung maintained that an analyst cannot accompany another human being on their path toward wholeness without first having come to an understanding of his or her own unconscious processes. In other words, I cannot accompany my client to a place I have not been myself.
Professional Memberships with:
- Association of Graduate Analytical Psychologists (AGAP)
- International Association of Analytical Psychologists (IAAP)
- Western Canada Association of Jungian Analysts (WCAJA), President
- British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (RCC)
My Work
I have accompanied men and women at varying stages of life and from many diverse cultures, both in short-term and long-term analytical encounters. My emphasis is on a person-to-person therapeutic relationship, a relationship which by definition includes full participation of the psyches of both analyst and client. In this capacity, I also sometimes see clients remotely, on online platforms such as Zoom or
Skype.
The various types of challenges that bring people to analysis include relationship problems, mid-life crisis, trauma, anxiety, depression, or a feeling of being lost. Some may feel that they have somehow ‘gone off track’ in their lives. They wonder what the true purpose of their lives may be. Others may enter analysis to further self-discovery and more deeply connect to their inner wisdom. Many people suffer a disconnection from their true personality and a lack of meaning in their lives. This is felt as a loss of soul.
I have found the Jungian approach to therapeutic work to be profoundly effective in helping a human being uncover the hidden sources of their suffering. A person has the opportunity to gain awareness of underlying issues that trigger unconscious emotional responses, responses that can lead to destructive personal and relational patterns. These patterns hold us back from fully and freely living our lives.
Just as the psyche sends us messages through dreams, so does the body respond to our psychological condition in myriad ways. My past experience as a singer and voice teacher influences and contributes to my work as analyst. Singing requires the full participation of the body and a deep connection to the breath. Often in our fast paced and intellectually centred lives we become disconnected from the signals and responses of our bodies. This becomes especially evident in breathing patterns. Breathing is not only a physical function but connects us to our spiritual centre. It is well known that meditative practices throughout the ages have employed breath-centered techniques to aid in grounding the body, freeing the mind and releasing the spirit. Psyche, body and spirit form an interwoven connection integral to healing and wholeness.
The interpersonal analytical encounter provides a safe container that fosters the possibility of healing and change. Confidentiality is a fundamental criteria for any psychotherapeutic practice. You can be assured that I hold confidentiality with utmost integrity. In this way you have the freedom to share your thoughts and feelings in an atmosphere of trust. Together, we explore the often painful issues and unconscious processes that may lie beneath your present life circumstances. Your concerns will be heard with respect, care and free from judgment.
I have accompanied men and women at varying stages of life and from many diverse cultures, both in short-term and long-term analytical encounters. My emphasis is on a person-to-person therapeutic relationship, a relationship which by definition includes full participation of the psyches of both analyst and client. In this capacity, I also sometimes see clients remotely, on online platforms such as Zoom or
Skype.
The various types of challenges that bring people to analysis include relationship problems, mid-life crisis, trauma, anxiety, depression, or a feeling of being lost. Some may feel that they have somehow ‘gone off track’ in their lives. They wonder what the true purpose of their lives may be. Others may enter analysis to further self-discovery and more deeply connect to their inner wisdom. Many people suffer a disconnection from their true personality and a lack of meaning in their lives. This is felt as a loss of soul.
I have found the Jungian approach to therapeutic work to be profoundly effective in helping a human being uncover the hidden sources of their suffering. A person has the opportunity to gain awareness of underlying issues that trigger unconscious emotional responses, responses that can lead to destructive personal and relational patterns. These patterns hold us back from fully and freely living our lives.
Just as the psyche sends us messages through dreams, so does the body respond to our psychological condition in myriad ways. My past experience as a singer and voice teacher influences and contributes to my work as analyst. Singing requires the full participation of the body and a deep connection to the breath. Often in our fast paced and intellectually centred lives we become disconnected from the signals and responses of our bodies. This becomes especially evident in breathing patterns. Breathing is not only a physical function but connects us to our spiritual centre. It is well known that meditative practices throughout the ages have employed breath-centered techniques to aid in grounding the body, freeing the mind and releasing the spirit. Psyche, body and spirit form an interwoven connection integral to healing and wholeness.
The interpersonal analytical encounter provides a safe container that fosters the possibility of healing and change. Confidentiality is a fundamental criteria for any psychotherapeutic practice. You can be assured that I hold confidentiality with utmost integrity. In this way you have the freedom to share your thoughts and feelings in an atmosphere of trust. Together, we explore the often painful issues and unconscious processes that may lie beneath your present life circumstances. Your concerns will be heard with respect, care and free from judgment.