I often say that I came to this work honestly, having been a service user for many years as a complex teen myself. I know first hand how it feels to suffer deeply, not knowing what is wrong, now knowing how to make it better and being surrounded by those who were as baffled by me as they were supportive. It is what continues to drive my passion and commitment to building competent and compassionate resources for our communities, and increasing access to equitable and effective treatments for those who need it most. These values have only grown in the last few years as I watch our current generations struggle to find balance, meaning and wellness in their lives, surrounded by caring adults and systems that are often out of depth and suffering themselves.
I was a mental health therapist for 20 years, occupying many front-line and managerial positions across a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient community mental health programs. I strive to synthesize my learnings from both sides of the proverbial couch. The outcome is A Mindful Change, a collection of individuals committed to helping others increase their capacity for joy and happiness in their lives.
The team at A Mindful Change all share the same values, passion and commitment to support those we work with from a compassionate, non-judgmental and mindful stance. We welcome clients from diverse gender identities, sexual orientations, religious beliefs, and racial and cultural backgrounds. We are committed to delivering all that we offer from an anti-oppressive lens, recognizing that many of the best treatments available were not designed for the diverse communities we serve. We are focused on maintaining competence with ongoing intensive training and supervision to ensure that we provide the best treatment we can.
A Mindful Change resides on the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We recognize this gathering place where we work and learn is home to many past, present, and future First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Our acknowledgement of the land is our declaration of our collective responsibility to this place and its peoples’ histories, rights, and presence. Our Clinic supports and adds our collective voice to the “CALLS TO ACTION” from the Truth and Reconciliation Committee on Indian Residential School to never forget, to hold governments and colonial forces to account, to seek redress and healing for injustice.
