About Me

From a very early age most people in my life knew I would end up in the healthcare field as one of the most dominant components of my personality is that of a helper. I decided to pursue nursing as it satisfied both the part of me that wanted to gain medical knowledge and understand health and wellness from a biological perspective, as well as the part of me that values the social elements of care and providing a therapeutic relationship to help individuals heal and achieve sustained wellness.

 

I have practiced in traditional western medicine settings including public health and acute care in hospital settings for the majority of my career. As a healthcare practitioner and as an individual navigating health and wellness myself, I have been witness to many of the gaps in our healthcare system. As a result of various personal and professional experiences I now appreciate and understand the value of a more holistic approach to healthcare.

 

This became most evident to me as I worked through my own mental health challenges that resulted from living through and working in the Covid-19 pandemic. While I was prescribed an antidepressant to help with a severe bout of insomnia related to burn-out during this time, I also understood that rather than solely relying on medication, I needed to make changes in my life to address this condition. To help with my health and wellbeing, I changed jobs and left the hospital, moved across the country to prioritize a way of living that felt more in line with who I am, and worked on implementing holistic health interventions such as movement, mindfulness, regular therapy and time in nature to name a few. With time I began to feel better - but what I didn’t know was how hard it could be to discontinue the antidepressant I had started. 

 

After a few failed attempts to come off my no longer required or indicated antidepressant I felt stuck. The side effects that were tolerable during my time of need, became intolerable now that the medication wasn’t indicated. I struggled to understand how I hadn’t been informed of this potential problem, and I was confused why this wasn’t taught in my nursing education. At this time I had been contacted by former colleagues of mine who were talking about starting a clinic that would address this very concern. The first of its kind virtual deprescribing clinic was launched in Ontario / British Columbia that aimed at helping individuals safely taper off of antidepressants. I had the honor of working with some of the most experienced and knowledgeable individuals currently working to research, inform, advocate and care for those who are attempting to discontinue antidepressants. In my current practice, I aim to continue the much needed work that has been started by those who have mentored me. 

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While these various experiences definitely came with challenges, I am now grateful for them as they have led me to create a space for individuals to experience a mindful approach to receiving what I consider true medicine.

 

I now live in Vancouver, British Columbia and continue to nurture strong ties to my family, friends and community in Ontario. While being licensed to practice in British Columbia, I have also maintained my nursing license in Ontario allowing me to support both communities that I feel a part of. All of my services are conducted virtually in order to provide care to individuals throughout British Columbia and Ontario.