FEEL A SENSE OF CONNECTION AND BELONGING
THE
BIGGER
PICTURE STORY
I started my own mental health journey nearly 2 decades ago. During one session, my psychiatrist asked me to look at a picture on the wall and tell him what I saw. I turned to look at the painting and began to describe the trees and field, the buildings and sky that were the subjects of the piece, only to hear a knowing "hmm" from behind me.
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I turned around and asked him what that "hmm" meant, wondering what had he learned from this "experiment?"​ He said that his insight came from watching me dissect the painting into its component parts without acknowledging the entirety of the
painting. He invited me to step back from the first perspective and to see "the bigger picture."
I learned so much about myself in that session. I learned that I had been prioritizing the details of my life above the overall sense of happiness, purpose, and meaning ... focusing on getting each part of my life "just so", rather than building from an awareness that all the parts needed to be working together in harmony. I learned that changes made in one area of life can effect changes in other areas ... and I learned that life was a matter of perspective; that, in many ways, what I experienced in life was a matter of what I focused on.
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When I transitioned into being a counsellor for other people, I carried these lessons with me. While I may still see the details in life, I try to focus my attention - and the attention of my client - on the bigger picture. I invite the client to see their life from a different perspective and to see what new insights might come from it. And I remind them that even a slight change in perspective may be all it takes to make lasting change in their life and create new levels of happiness!
I grew up the grandson of an abusive man, steeped in an environment filled with people processing family trauma. This engendered the ability to quickly sense the emotional state and needs of those around me. I also have deep, fulfilling friendships that have lasted decades and, because of them, I have learned that each family interacts in its own, unique way.
As a result of these influences, I have become fascinated by family
MY PERSONAL JOURNEY
dynamics and the formation and maintenance of relationships. I know that my family and friends have helped me evolve into a person that is welcoming and grounding of those around me; people have always felt free to share their deeper thoughts with me, and I have always been a safe space to process emotional experiences.
I am creative and diplomatic; honest and supportive. I am dedicated to helping people uncover – and be – the best version of themselves. I am a harmony-seeker and big-picture thinker. I am inspired by strength within kindness, positivity within struggle, and honesty within doubt.
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All that I am has come from a lifetime of experience. I am a trained actor, a singer-songwriter, and an audio engineer. I have been a graphic artist, a project coordinator, and an administrator. I have worked in web publishing, finance, and in the film & television industry.
Through these experiences - and my many travels - I have learned to interact with people from all walks of life. I have learned that overcoming obstacles is easier when there is a community of support to connect with and to rely on ... and I have learned that no matter what we do or where we are from, we are all struggling with something and are all doing the best we can.