I emigrated and moved to Vancouver Island in 2009. I was born in Liverpool, United Kingdom but lived and worked most of my adult life in North Wales, United Kingdom. After leaving school I moved to North Wales to study for my undergraduate degree in Psychology. Following the successful completion of this degree I decided to stay in the area. I found work and bought a house to renovate. Whilst I was working and busy with house renovations I came to the decision that I wanted to train to be a nurse. I started general nurse training in 1991. However, I quickly realized that this area of nursing was not for me. Consequently. I changed direction and moved into mental health nursing. I enjoyed this area of work immensely and began my career as a Registered Mental Health Nurse working in acute inpatient psychiatry in 1994. In 1997 I moved into the community to work on a one to one basis with people who experienced severe and complex mental health problems. During my nursing career I also completed a degree in Health Studies, an Advanced Certificate in Counselling and a Specialist Practitioner Award in Community Mental Health Nursing.
In 2005 my life underwent a number of significant changes. In 2005 my family and I took our first holiday to Canada. We stayed on Vancouver Island and loved it here. In the autumn of the same year I returned to university to study for my doctorate in Clinical Psychology. After successfully completing my doctorate in 2008 and two more visits to Vancouver Island (just to be sure), we moved to Parksville, British Columbia. Following the move I took up a Psychologist position with Island Health. In this role I provide psychological assessment for adults who experience complex and often enduring psychological problems.
Through my work, I have come to realize and understand the many challenges and transitions people can be faced with as they journey through life. However, it is my belief that we all have within ourselves the means, strength and resilience necessary to navigate and manage these challenges. Rather than assuming the role of "expert," I see myself as a facilitator who enables people to help themselves. As a scientist practitioner I believe in using methods that are grounded in theory and research and through the creation of a safe, supportive and collaborative relationship I encourage clients to find ways of connecting with their own inner strengths, to develop skills and psychological understanding to deal with life challenges. I believe that helping people to develop an awareness and understanding of why they think, feel and behave in certain ways, enables them to access their own resources. This then frees them to live the life they want to live, restores balance and equilibrium, and improves psychological health and wellness.
In 2005 my life underwent a number of significant changes. In 2005 my family and I took our first holiday to Canada. We stayed on Vancouver Island and loved it here. In the autumn of the same year I returned to university to study for my doctorate in Clinical Psychology. After successfully completing my doctorate in 2008 and two more visits to Vancouver Island (just to be sure), we moved to Parksville, British Columbia. Following the move I took up a Psychologist position with Island Health. In this role I provide psychological assessment for adults who experience complex and often enduring psychological problems.
Through my work, I have come to realize and understand the many challenges and transitions people can be faced with as they journey through life. However, it is my belief that we all have within ourselves the means, strength and resilience necessary to navigate and manage these challenges. Rather than assuming the role of "expert," I see myself as a facilitator who enables people to help themselves. As a scientist practitioner I believe in using methods that are grounded in theory and research and through the creation of a safe, supportive and collaborative relationship I encourage clients to find ways of connecting with their own inner strengths, to develop skills and psychological understanding to deal with life challenges. I believe that helping people to develop an awareness and understanding of why they think, feel and behave in certain ways, enables them to access their own resources. This then frees them to live the life they want to live, restores balance and equilibrium, and improves psychological health and wellness.