Services

I offer individual equine therapy sessions at the Whitemud Equine Learning Centre Association (WELCA) from March-October (during the months of November to February I work with clients solely via teletherapy or within hospice settings)

Equine-assisted therapy is an effective treatment approach for a variety of mental health challenges. In a typical therapy session, clients engage with horses at WELCA (this can involve grooming the horses, observing one’s own responses to the horses when in contact with them, completing activities intended to communicate and guide the horses, or simply being in the horses company). These interactions can help build emotional regulation and can result in a significant reduction in stress and anxiety. As these interactions take place, I make use of other therapeutic approaches (such as cognitive behavioural therapy and narrative therapy) and work collaboratively with clients to identify their current concerns, generate evidence-based solutions, develop a treatment plan, and improve psychological wellbeing.

Dignity Therapy is a brief psychotherapeutic approach that helps people who are nearing the end of their lives to:

1)  Reduce their feelings of distress (psychosocial and existential)

2)  Enhance and support end-of life experiences

This therapeutic approach was developed by Dr. H.M. Chochinov. Clients are asked to reflect on the experiences that have mattered most to them in their lives and how they most want to be remembered. This therapeutic process is guided by a framework of questions based on research by Dr. H.M. Chochinov with individuals experiencing terminal illness. The Dignity Therapy session is audio-recorded and transcribed. Clients can share or bequeath this Legacy Document to others if they so choose. 

Overall, this approach helps individuals to reconnect with a sense of meaning in their lives and provides an opportunity to leave a cherished document for loved ones.

I offer Dignity Therapy sessions at the Whitemud Equine Learning Centre Association (WELCA) and in hospice settings.

I offer individual therapy sessions online and by phone to allow clients to access mental health care from the comfort and convenience of their own home.

I use a secure and user friendly platform to provide clients with a safe and confidential space to discuss their concerns and to work towards achieving their mental health goals

I am an Associate Lecturer at the University of Alberta in the Department of Psychology. I teach courses with a focus on animal and nature-assisted therapy, interpersonal relationships, psychological development (including death and dying), psychopathology, and nonverbal communication. 

I offer educational talks addressing animal and nature-assisted therapy (particularly for individuals who are terminally ill or experiencing grief) to mental health care practitioners and other groups in the community.