I’ve been a practicing trauma therapist for Individuals and Couples for over 20 years. I believe that post-traumatic growth and healing is an organic, innate process within healthy relationships and community. Therapy can create a supportive container to help heal trauma, and can help us to grow and evolve beyond old patterns, identities and belief systems. 

My integrated approach to health and healing is primarily informed by my training in body-based approaches to working with trauma, including Somatic Transformation, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Somatic Experiencing. I’ve also trained in other perspectives and approaches to healing including Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples and Individuals, Internal Family Systems, Relational Life Therapy and Jungian Psychotherapy.  

My own personal journey through healing relational trauma has continued to be a source of wisdom and embodied knowledge in my work. From a very young age, I have been committed to my own personal growth and healing, and I engage in ongoing clinical supervision as a way of embodying ethical practice. 

I am currently working in full-time Private Practice in Oak Bay. I began my practice in 2010, in addition to working for the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre, where I spent 11 years working as a Long-Term Trauma Counsellor, Group Facilitator and Clinical Supervisor. 

My individual and group work at the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre focused on helping women and non-binary survivors heal from the trauma of sexualized violence and abuse. In addition to providing individual therapy, I facilitated groups such as Skills for Healing, Building Strengths, Boundaries and Communication, and Insights for Healing. I co-developed a 12-week group called Relationships and Sexuality that assists survivors to further explore and heal from the impact of sexualized violence on their current relationships and sexuality.

I also have several years of experience working with adults, youth, and children who are going through Separation and Divorce. I have facilitated a number of groups for the BC Families in Transition, including the Caught in the Middle Program, Parenting After Separation, and Evolutions for adults dealing with grief and loss. I developed and facilitated a group called Single Again for mid-life women recently separated from long-term partners.  

I value equality, inclusivity, honesty, integrity, authenticity and transparency in my practice. I will work with you collaboratively to help you define and achieve your deepest desires and vision for your life and your relationships.  

I believe everyone has the right to live a safe, happy and fulfilling life. We are all born with the innate ability and capacity to heal and to reach our greatest potentials for self-actualization. It is both my honour and privilege to be able to assist and inspire you in your healing process to become who you really are — to live your best, most meaningful and authentic life.

Paula