Meet Jeff
Throughout my life I’ve often seen myself as a bridge – between cool and nerdy, the humanities and the sciencces, nature and cities, the personal and the collective. I value community building, authenticity, savouring the moment, cultivating joy, honouring our ancestors, and helping people experience Love.
Who I Am
My experience working as an engineer allows me to translate psychological tools and concepts into language that speaks to math and science brains, and my love of the natural world informs my use of embodied therapy techniques.
I offer this ability to connect and honour the different aspects of ourselves to all my clients. We all have many parts of our personality that influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Rather than judge some parts as unhealthy, consider that all of your parts were once creative adaptations to help you survive in your environment. Healing comes through integrating your parts so they can work in harmony. By cultivating a nurturing, nonjudgmental therapy relationship, we will learn to understand, accept, and befriend your parts so they can better serve you.
What I Do
I combine counselling and life-coaching to help you address personal, relational, and professional issues. I take an integral approach to healing that recognizes the interdependence of body, mind, and spirit. The most critical part of this process is the therapy relationship. Together we will explore your core beliefs and ways of being to see what is working for you and what you might want to change to enhance your growth and development and to live a more fulfilling life.
I integrate mindfulness and other practical, evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) with insight-oriented psychodynamic and narrative models of counselling. I welcome your feedback to tailor your counselling experience so that it works best for you.
We might work to quiet a harsh inner critic, manage fears, identify barriers to success in work or relationships, or build your interpersonal effectiveness. My goal is to create a safe, comfortable space with you to explore whatever you need to cultivate a meaningful life.
Land Acknowledgment
I humbly acknowledge that I live, work, and play on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I do not take this lightly. Colonialism has brutally decimated indigenous cultures around the world and specifically in Vancouver and BC. Most of us are uninvited guests on these most beautiful, breathtaking lands. Please take a moment to reflect on your privilege to be able to enjoy the mountains, ocean, forests, and glaciers of this special region. Be respectful, gentle, and curious about the peoples who have lived here for millennia.
A few of my favourite things
I gratefully hike, ski, and swim in these beautiful outdoors of British Columbia. I also enjoy yoga, volunteering, independent cinema, and healthy cuisine.
What is clinical
social work?
I am a Registered Clinical Social Worker (RCSW). This designation enables you to get reimbursed for our sessions through your extended health benefits. Please confirm your insurance plan covers social workers. Most do, but some do not.
Clinical social work is simply another name for therapy. The clinical aspect of social work refers to providing counselling. What distinguishes our training from psychologists or counsellors is the focus on the person within their environment.
In our current landscape of climate change, ongoing colonialism, and social upheaval, remembering our interdependence is vital to healing. Our communities and culture impact health and well-being.