Get To Know Me

I’m a Bajan who migrated to what is now known as "Canada" on my own at 19 years old to pursue my higher education and career while being immersed in an unfamiliar culture.

I believe my journey to becoming a relational and systemic therapist began in childhood. I was born and  reared in Barbados-a predominantly Black, developing country in the Caribbean- where most of our ways of being and existing in relationships were different from what I saw portrayed as the "norm" in Western media. From a young age, I was intrigued by my observations that people live and relate to each other in different ways, as members of various systems. 

My interest in psychotherapy deepened as I sought to learn more about the cognitive, emotional, and social influences on human behaviour, and how I could support others in accessing alternative perspectives and behaviours to improve their relationships and personal well-being. 

Personally, my journey has been challenging as a Black woman with other marginalized identities and subjugated experiences. I've experienced the impact of external constraints and internalized influences which gave rise to comorbid mental health diagnoses and served as obstacles to reaching my full potential. 

A vital part of my learning was coming to know about Canada's historical and ongoing acts of colonization, oppression, and disempowerment of Indigenous Peoples. With that, I acknowledge my identity as a settler on the stolen lands of these communities (particularly, the lands of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg, and Attawandaron Peoples, as this is where I physically reside and practice at this moment) and recognise the implications of my presence. Because of this, I have a desire and commitment to facilitate decolonization and reconciliation in my personal AND professional life.

These forces,  and my own personal mental health healing and spiritual journey, continue to motivate me to be a life-long learner and to counter these barriers in my work.  Engaging in critical thinking and facilitating real systemic change are highly important to me. Additionally, I find it wildly fulfilling to have meaningful conversations with others. 

Being a systemic therapist allows me to honour these core values I hold.

My very good friend asked me if I'd considered opening my own private practice. I brushed her off, essentially saying I don't have the type of brain that's required for such a responsibility- Since I before I even graduated, I'd been working as an Independent Contractor/Associate Therapist at various Group Practices.

About two weeks later,  I had an experience with that same friend which left us both feeling hurt by each other- it was our first relationship rupture in the years we've known each other. We were able to repair that rupture (how great is that, btw -that we were able to do that?), and the following came out of that experience:

• I realised what was holding me back from carving out my OWN unique space in the field was self-doubt.
  
• A major part of the work I do with clients is supporting them as they identify their preferred way of being and how they can act in alignment with that in a way that honours their authenticity and self worth, even when confronted with barriers to them doing so (hint: Narrative Therapy-LOVE IT). I came to realise that by letting self-doubt be my barrier, I was not honoring my preferred identity, the vision I hold for my present and future, and my authenticity (and if you know me, you know my authenticity is VERY important to me).
  
• With the support of that friend (and others I hold dear), I've been able to open my own virtual practice
  
• I'm terrified. But a larger part of me is so very excited, grateful, and PROUD. Rather than seeing this as a risk I'm taking, I see it as an investment (emotionally, financially, etc.) in myself. Only by truly honoring myself can I show up in the way I want to as I move through life. This will allow me to not only be a better therapist to the clients I see, but also a better person to myself, and a better daughter, friend, and partner for the type of partnership I want and deserve (re the latter: whenever that happens, chile 🤣).