About
Training background
Emily practices counselling in Maple Ridge. She has previously provided care in shelters, schools, women's recovery homes, for healthcare staff, and in private practice.
She completed her training as a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in 2019 at the University of the Fraser Valley. Since then, she has continued her training for in-depth work with emotions, relationships, and trauma---completing her masters at TWU and becoming a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). She also has a certificate in traumatic stress through the Trauma Research Foundation. For working with couples, she gained her level 2 training in Emotionally Focused Therapy and level 2 in the Gottman Method.
​​
Emily uses a systemic, attachment, and trauma-informed lens throughout her work. These three aspects help her maintain an integrated approach, instead of focusing on only one part of a client’s experience. Beyond this overarching framework, she mainly draws from approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Satir, AEDP, play therapy, and somatic work. For clients who prefer more structure or concrete strategies, Emily incorporates CBT or the Gottman Method into sessions too.
​​
​
Learn more about the above training:
-The Trauma Research Foundation
-CBT
​
Approach for sessions
Emily's training and previous work experiences help her to hold a multifaceted view of what it means to be human, to be whole, and to thrive. She values tailoring treatment to meet each client’s unique goals and needs, offering collaborative care to shape sessions together. This often involves a mix of addressing surface-level concerns so these are manageable, while also going deeper to resolve underlying core issues and trauma.
​
Faith and spirituality can be an important part of counselling. Emily integrates this into her work while being respectful of her client’s perspectives and comfort level. She seeks to provide a space where safety and connection can be tangibly felt, regardless of differing backgrounds. This is especially important in areas where clients may have previously experienced judgment, pressure, or harm.
​
In the initial sessions, Emily will work with you to develop a plan for sessions to address your goals in a way that is structured to work well for you and your life. This plan will consider your overall network of care and account for areas where further referrals or resources may be an option for you beyond counselling.
​
As part of her systemic approach, she works with individuals across the lifespan---from kids, teens, adults, and older adults---as well as individuals, couples, families, and groups. She specializes in working with shame and the experiences that can be wrapped into this.
Wholehearted story
Wholeheartedness, compassion, and community are the three core values of this clinic, guiding how choices are made, how the roles of counsellors and clients are perceived, and how we understand the process of change. One key part of this has been collaboration with other professionals and community members, working together in order to best serve our clients.
​
​Emily’s journey to become a counsellor began as she experienced the impact of compassion and authentic connection in her own life. These interactions motivated her to study, train, and absorb all she could about how our relational and internal worlds shape how we experience distress, resilience, and identity. Now as a counsellor, Emily sought to shape a clinic space that fosters this kind of authenticity and growth--for clients and counsellors alike. She continues to be amazed by people’s innate capacity for healing in the face of suffering.​
​
Outside the counselling room, Emily enjoys day-to-day life in Maple Ridge---trying new recipes with her family, getting into The Great Outdoors, and slowing down to enjoy music.
​
If you want to explore more about our approach and more resources, head over to our counselling blog.
​
​