A little bit about me
I am a 2nd generation Filipino Canadian born and raised on unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh land.
I began Second Wind Counselling in hopes to reinvigorate hope where it’s needed most, seeing the suffering happening in those who are isolated and distraught. Having been educated in both counselling and artistic modalities, I seek to support our collective well-being by integrating the spark of the creative process. This has taken me to counsel in several settings, including anti-oppressive clinics, maximum-security settings, and the downtown eastside. I’ve learned that no person or emotion is too scary to be met with dignity, respect, and wholeness.
On a more personal note
I am no stranger to harm, needing to repair on both sides. I am a survivor of multiple difficult life circumstances and incidents that have inspired my work, both as a clinical counsellor and a poet. This is the ongoing work that I seek to pursue in my life and I personally want to see to it that I leave the world better than I entered it. The value of expression provided a way to navigate everything, thus my previous career as an artist.
What I learned to get here
Education
Master’s of Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy - Adler University
Bachelors of Media Arts: Animation - Emily Carr University of Art & Design
Community Capacity Building Certificate - Simon Fraser University
2020 Radius Fellow - Simon Fraser University RADIUS Fellowship
Trainings
Sexual Consent and Communication - Westland Academy of Sex Therapy
Trauma Informed Care: Mindfulness-Based Treatment for Post-Traumatic Growth - Mental Health Academy
Understanding and Working with Domestic Violence - Mental Health Academy
Rupture and Repair Workshop with Tod Augusta Scott - Men&
Conceptualizing and Treating Sex Addiction - Mental Health Academy
Working with Men Masterclass - ManTalks
Relational Life Therapy Level 1 - Relational Life Institute
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills with Marsha Linehan - PsychWire
Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education - University of British Columbia
Specialties
Men’s Concerns
Depression
Anxiety
Anger Management
Abuse
Codependency
Relationship & Marital Concerns
Infidelity
Addiction
Trauma
Life Transitions
General Counselling
Modalities
Art Therapy
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Relational Life Therapy (Level 1)
Psychodrama
Person-Centered