Hi there, I’m Hannah (she/hers). I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). I completed by Bachelor’s of Science in Behavioural Neuroscience at Simon Fraser University and my Master of Counselling degree at City University. I am certified to provide AutPlay Therapy.  

I have worked with children and youth for over 15 years beginning with lifeguarding and instructing swimming. Following the completion of my Neuroscience degree, I worked in a support role for neurodivergent students in an alternative school setting. This experience lead me to pursue a Master’s degree to be better equipped to support the mental health of neurodivergent families in the community.

I fell in love with the North Shore during my Master’s practicum where I completed my counselling hours at CYMH and Foundry. From there, I have been working in non-profit community mental health and am grateful to be back on the shore!

I am experienced in supporting individuals and families with a variety of presenting issues including anxiety, depression, attachment disruptions, trauma, sexual abuse, and sexual behaviour problems. Many of these clients have been Autistic kiddos, ADHDers, and those living with learning or sensory differences. I do not believe that neurodivergent traits or diagnoses are to be fixed, but with affirming care we can pave the way for mental wellness.

I believe that all human brains are unique, valuable, and should be celebrated. My work is neurodiversity affirming as it relates to the therapeutic space, the therapeutic relationship, and treatment planning. I believe strongly in caregiver involvement in the therapeutic process and can support you in psychoeducation, attachment building, and understanding how best to support your child in the way they need. I center children and youth and work from a strengths-based approach to address mental health concerns, self-worth, and self-advocacy. This may look like expressive approaches including art and play, and although talk therapy can be helpful for some, verbal communication is not required to experience the benefits of counselling.

I acknowledge my privilege in this space as a white, able-bodied, non-neurodivergent individual. I am an uninvited occupant on the lands of Squamish, Musqueum, and Tsleil-waututh territories. My ancestors made their way to so-called Canada from Ukraine and Germany and inflicted their own trauma on Indigenous peoples. Although I will never feel the true complexities of oppression and intersectionality that my neurodivergent clients face daily, I promise to continue educating myself and learning from the ones who live it.  My hope is that my lived and work experience supporting neurodivergent individuals will aid in creating the safety and security required to accomplish your therapeutic goals. I am here to listen to you, learn about you, and support you in the way that you need.

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Finally, I enjoy walking the seawall, listening to live music, yoga, and cuddling my 2 cats. But most of all – I love to have fun! We will most definitely have fun in session together too. See you in the playroom!