Associate Colleagues

Grace chose her profession because she genuinely cares about people and has a passion for helping them navigate life’s difficulties. One of the reasons she is so dedicated to this work is because she has personal experience supporting a parent with a diagnosed mental illness. This firsthand experience has taught her the importance of respect, active listening, and helping individuals find their own solutions for their mental health and overall well-being. She uses EMDR therapy to aid clients in processing challenging emotions and memories so that they do not have the same intensity, allowing individuals to heal and move forward in their lives.

In addition to her personal experiences, Grace is also a parent to a teenager, so she understands the joys and challenges that come with parenting. Her background in child welfare has given her over 15 years of experience working with children, youth, and families. During this time, she focused on a family-centred and strengths-based approach, helping individuals share their stories and identify their strengths, worries, trauma histories, and stressors. She also worked collaboratively with families to problem-solve and improve safety for children using solution-focused and brief therapy techniques. Her work also involves supporting staff and support workers through burnout, overwhelm, and vicarious trauma in both educational and clinical settings.

Grace firmly believes that resilience can be developed through self-awareness, self-care, mindfulness, and maintaining a hopeful outlook. To further her knowledge and skills, she completed a Bachelor of Social Work at York University and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Waterloo. During her studies, she gained practical experience at a rehabilitation hospital where she provided psychosocial assessments and supportive clinical social work.

In her counseling practice, Grace’s goal is to create a safe and empowering relationship with individuals seeking support. She has worked with individuals dealing with issues such as grief and loss, palliative diagnoses, depression, anxiety, suicidal behavior, and stress.

As a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, she is committed to ongoing education and professional development. She also maintains her membership with the Ontario Association of Social Workers. Outside of her work, she finds relaxation by reading books and going for walks.