About Me
My personal experiences shape and guide how I show up as a therapist.
Early Life and Foundations of Empathy
I grew up in a family that was both loving and challenging. There was plenty of warmth, generosity, and connection—but also moments of rage, anxiety, and insecurity. In school, I experienced emotional bullying, yet I was also fortunate to have close family and friends who helped me rediscover safety and trust.
These early experiences—of both pain and care—taught me that two realities can exist side by side. Feelings of sadness and strength, fear and hope, all shaped how I connect with others today. That understanding continues to guide my work as a counsellor, helping clients navigate the complexities of their own emotional lives.
Living with Crohn’s Disease and Finding Meaning
In my twenties and early thirties, I lived with painful symptoms of Crohn’s disease. It was a difficult and frightening time that tested my limits and expanded my compassion. Living with a chronic illness helped me understand how hard it can feel when life changes suddenly or when “hidden pains” weigh us down.
That experience now informs how I support clients dealing with anxiety, health concerns, or life transitions. I know how isolating pain can feel—and how powerful it is to have someone truly listen.
Curiosity, Travel, and Understanding People
Curiosity has always been a guiding force in my life. In my early twenties, I spent nearly a year backpacking around the world. A decade later, my wife and I took a year-long honeymoon through Asia. Those journeys taught me how different—and yet deeply similar—people can be, wherever you go.
That global perspective shapes my counselling approach. Whether working with individuals or couples, I meet people where they are, with openness, curiosity, and respect for their unique stories.
Marriage, Fatherhood, and Practicing What I Teach
Being married and raising two daughters brings deep joy—and plenty of challenge. In my marriage, I experience both the comfort of connection and the inevitable struggles that come with being human together.
I often use the same values-based tools I share with my clients: pausing when triggered, reflecting on what truly matters, and practicing repair when things go off course. These everyday moments continue to remind me how essential compassion, patience, and humility are in relationships.
After a painful five-year struggle with infertility, my wife and I were fortunate to adopt two baby girls. They’re now in their tween and teen years, and being their dad remains one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences of my life. Like many parents, I find that my children teach me as much as I teach them.
From Marketing to Mental Health: My Journey to Becoming a Therapist
In 2014, while in my mid-40s, I faced a serious health scare that left me hospitalized for nearly a month. The experience forced me to step back and question the meaning and direction of my long marketing career. That reflection brought a period of depression but also opened the door to profound personal growth.
With loving support from a committed men’s group, my caring family, and kind friends, I began working through feelings of grief, inadequacy, and shame. Counselling became a focus of my healing process, too. Three years later, I made the life-changing decision to pursue a Master’s degree in Counselling. I became a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in 2021.
My Approach to Counselling
Today, I see myself as living proof that meaningful change is possible—with care, support, and the right tools. My counselling work integrates compassion, curiosity, and practicality. I help clients explore what’s most important to them, and take steps toward living in alignment with their values.
As a Vancouver-based therapist offering online counselling across British Columbia, I work with individuals, couples, and others who want to create more meaning, connection, and balance in their lives and relationships.
Being a therapist allows me to live out my values: to be helpful, grounded, and compassionate. I’m deeply grateful for the trust my clients place in me and the work we do together.
If any part of my story resonates with you, I would love to connect. Whether you’re looking for individual therapy, couples counselling, relationship counselling or online counselling in BC, I invite you to reach out and explore how I can help.