On the professional side:
My professional training, education, credentials and certifications include being a Registered Social Worker, Professional Certified Coach (accredited by International Coach Federation), Certified Retirement Coach, and Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (following 2 years of Relational Somatic Trauma Therapy training).
Additionally, after writing my book Living Forward, Giving Back: A Practical Guide to Fulfillment in Midlife and Beyond from 2005 to 2008 when it was published, I have enjoyed leading countless seminars, webinars and live workshops to various audiences, and across most provinces, on the topic of the major work/life transition we call retirement. I have also led several Team Day workshops on various topics (see Seminar/Workshops/Team Day for details).
On the personal side:
Originally from Montreal, and still fluent in French, an inspired momentum also characterizes my life as I strive to stay on a trajectory of personal and professional development, learning and expanding while tapping into states of flow and ease.
My lifestyle is focused on good health and wellness habits, including meditation, yoga, gym, dance, hiking, and nurturing supportive friendships. I love reading books that inform my work and inspire me, as well as attending learning events where I meet like-minded people. I often feel drawn to nature to renew my spirits and enjoy capturing delightful sights in photographs; my preferred forests are the Pacific Spirit Park or Lynn Valley Headwaters Park on the north shore. As a mother of two adult children now in their early 30’s, I’ve gradually modified my role from parenting to caring consultant in their lives.
As an Artist and Poet:
Following artistically driven years as a teenager, drawing, painting and writing poetry, these activities and skills went dormant for decades. Then, on the other side of midlife, I experienced a resurgence of creativity and have held open time and space for art and poetry ever since. From large floral close-up pieces to, currently, forest scenes focused on remarkable trees that I love to paint in dry pastels, over summer months on my patio. By now, 5 of my originals are framed and adorning the walls of Alpine Counselling Clinic, reminding us of the beauty, wisdom and innate intelligence of nature.
Poetry is the language of the soul, enabling us to convey meaning, share stories and vehiculate emotions, often from the deeper under layers of human experiences in relations to others, to our past and present, and to all that surrounds us. And now, having joined the National Association for Poetry Therapy, I’m even better positioned to keep discovering and using the healing powers of poetry, especially in combination with Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy. See the Event page for upcoming seminars or forest therapy series.