I was born and raised in Salmon Arm and have deep roots in the Shuswap. This community has shaped my personal and professional life, and I feel a strong commitment to the community I am fortunate to call home.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #2681) with a Master’s Degree in Psychology and am currently completing my Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies at UBC Okanagan, where my research explores the professional practices and emerging role of funeral celebrants in Canada. I am also a Fellow in Thanatology (FT®) with the Association for Death Education and Counselling (ADEC), a licensed Funeral Director, and a Certified Funeral Celebrant.

For 30 years, I have worked as a clinical counsellor and mental health clinician across community, healthcare, educational, and private practice settings. My career in mental health and clinical counselling began in community-based organizations supporting women experiencing violence in their relationships. Over the years, I have held a variety of roles, including working as a mental health clinician with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Interior Health, as well as providing counselling services within School District No. 83. These experiences have allowed me to work with children, youth, adults, and families and have contributed to the broad clinical perspective I bring to my work today.

I'm dedicated to supporting people as they navigate through grief, traumatic events, and stressful life experiences, including the unique challenges faced by first responders. I have the privilege of working with first responders and those affected by critical incidents through programs like WorkSafeBC Critical Incident Response and First Responder Health. Additionally, I am proud to be an Occupationally Aware Clinician, part of the clinician network supported by the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association.

My approach to counselling is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and centered around you. I truly believe that counselling should be tailored to each person, rather than trying to make everyone fit into a specific mold. I bring in ideas from different therapeutic methods and listen with genuine curiosity and openness, understanding that everyone brings their unique experiences, strengths, relationships, and circumstances. At the core of my work is a heartfelt desire to help you make sense of challenging experiences, find a sense of stability again, and move forward with hope and confidence.

Grief, death, and funeral services have been a meaningful part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in my family's funeral home, Bowers Funeral Home in Salmon Arm, which my grandfather established in 1947. I'm proud to carry on this family tradition as a third-generation funeral director. Growing up in this environment has given me a deep appreciation for the vital importance of compassionate care during those challenging moments in people's lives.

Over time, my work as a clinical counsellor, funeral director, funeral celebrant, and thanatologist has converged in ways I couldn't have imagined when I began my career. These experiences have shaped my longstanding interest in grief, bereavement, and how people create meaning and ritual around death. This intersection of my personal, clinical, and professional experiences ultimately led to my doctoral research on funeral celebrant practice in Canada.

Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our two young-adult children, our two doodles, and a wonderful circle of family and friends. I love being active and outdoors—running, mountain biking, road biking, and, more recently, taking on the challenge of triathlons. Most of all, I value time with the people I love, having fun, travelling, and enjoying everything our beautiful part of the world has to offer.

Current Availability

I am currently on an education leave while completing my doctoral work and will be returning to clinical practice in January 2027. During my leave, I am not accepting new or returning counselling clients. Please contact our office to be connected with one of our other clinicians who can assist you.

I practice with recognition and respect for the histories, cultures, traditions, and lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples.