Meet Our Team

I treated clients for many years as a solo practitioner, building up a faithful and steady clientele that was generated almost entirely by word of mouth. I might have carried on this way for many years more, but when the pandemic hit, the demand for counselling in Vancouver was staggering. My waitlist grew and grew, and finally, I had to start turning people away. It caused me a lot of stress knowing how many people were waiting for many months to receive therapy, either with me or with other therapists.

On a rainy fall walk in 2020, I started to daydream about building a group practice: a practice based on the values, style, and client experience that made my solo practice resonate with so many people. A group practice that would mean never having to turn away people motivated for counselling. When I finally arrived home hours later, I had the earliest framework of Open Space Counselling sorted (and I was soaked).

Because I have practised as a counsellor in Vancouver for so many years, I know a lot of incredible therapists! I may be a little biased, but I honestly think Open Space Counselling has the best therapists in Vancouver. The first six counsellors to join my team were people who I handpicked, recruited and convinced (begged) to join my team. After I ran out of people I already knew, I launched hiring campaigns to find therapists who are aligned with the vision, values and vibe of Open space Counselling.

Who are the right people? The therapists at Open Space Counselling are all highly skilled, astute, and very bright. They’re obsessed with therapy, psychology, and healing outside-the-box. But our vibe is what sets us apart. Our therapists have a warm, natural energy. We are candid, open, and not afraid to be ‘real.’ We’re curious and have a knack for getting to the heart of the matter. It’s not unusual for us to have a big laugh together with our clients.

Finding therapists who are a good fit with our team means I don’t have to micromanage (which I hate), and that I don’t need to lose sleep wondering if the clients at Open Space are receiving good care.

In a word: impact. Our number one source of referrals continues to be word of mouth, which tells me that the transformation our clients experience motivates the people around them. Through our individual counselling, couples counselling, and our low cost counselling program, we continue to find ways to help more and more people.

Like you, I am a person of contradictions. I’m an extroverted introvert, and a nervous adventurer. I am the most laid back Type A person you’ll meet, but make no mistake: I am Type A.

I’m a psychology nerd at heart, but I have learned that I surprisingly love entrepreneurship! My natural impatience leads me to take decisive action fairly easily, and my passion for connection has helped form collaborations between Open Space Counselling and many other incredible health and wellness providers in Vancouver. 

I have experienced firsthand the life changing power of good therapy, and I am determined to help people coming to our clinic find not just a therapist, but the right therapist for their needs, circumstances, and personality. Because, above all, therapy is a relationship.

Outside of the office, I am happiest when moving my body in some way, which these days is paddling a kayak, riding my bike, and walking or running in the local trails with my boisterous pup. Reading novels is my favourite way to pass the time, and the only thing that holds my attention long enough to tune out the world around me. I live with my husband and two teenage daughters. They are my greatest teachers,  and my ‘why’ for pretty much everything.