Hello
I invite you to discover simple, effective methods for reconnecting to who you truly are. When we place our minds on a specific cluster of themes such as caregiving and motherhood, I have discovered that our soul takes us down deep into realms that we never could have imagined from the surface.
My Story
Some of us, like me, learn the hard way, that our suffering and our healing come from a common source. I was not fully aware of this principle of human nature when I began my professional career as a psychologist in Brazil (two decades ago) working mainly with women and families who were dealing with chronic disease.
Even though I had already survived a brain aneurism and a resultant coma, it took years of clinical practice collaborating with the deep narratives of many strong resilient clients for me to see that our wounds and our restored vitality reside in the same place. It is hard to find a name for this essential and sacred Place where our core vitality resides. I imagine that you have your own words and images to describe this place that I am referring to and I have been humbled and inspired over the years to be a companion to my client’s journey Home to this place beyond place.
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I have a particular interest in mothers and caregivers of all kinds. In fact, this is part of my fate as I have been working deeply with caregivers professionally since 2010 including as a pioneer of psychoeducational strategies to improve the wellbeing of caregivers.
When we place our minds on a specific cluster of themes (such as ageing and caregiving and motherhood), I have discovered that our soul takes us down deep into realms that we never could have imagined from the surface. This has been a large part of my journey, because in my 15+ years of creating group supports for ageing women, immigrants and caregivers all around British Columbia and in Santa Catarina - Brazil, I find myself grateful beyond words for this fulfilling professional path that I have chosen and has chosen me.
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My experiences as a woman, an immigrant and a mother have left me with a deep and lasting empathic longing to support and companion others who feel invisible and who are experiencing the alienation, oppression and confusion of suffering outside of the view of what our status quo society is capable of registering or seeing.
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As a long time practitioner of contemplative traditions and as a mother (and immigrant) myself, I know the value of the mind as a generator of narratives and perceptions which can be in line with reality or way off in some other place. I hold this insight close in my work and I invite you to let me help you discover simple and effective methods for reconnecting to who you truly are.
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Therapeutic Approach
The foundation of my therapeutic approach rests on Internal Family Systems frameworks where we work toward the integration of our various parts. I also include elements of Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness and Somatic frameworks. My work supports women in their attempt to recover from trauma, anxiety, shame and guilt. We also focus on increasing the capacity to process transformation while on the journey toward a deeper self-compassionate and relational self.
My Education and Experience
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellor with more than 15 years of experience in the fields of Counselling, Psychology and Gerontology, working various times as a clinician, workshop facilitator and therapeutic group mentor. I have a Psychology degree from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (Brazil), Masters in Social Dimensions of Health from the University of Victoria with a focus on healthy aging and extensive Post-Graduate Training in Psychotherapy.