Hello! I'm Emma
About Me
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a particular interest in supporting children, youth, and families. Before becoming a counsellor, I trained and worked as a middle school science teacher in England. Over time, my work increasingly drew me toward supporting the emotional, social, and relational well-being of children and families, eventually leading me to complete a Master of Arts in Child and Youth Care with a specialization in counselling at the University of Victoria.
My approach has been shaped by many years of working alongside children, youth, parents, and families in educational, community, and counselling settings. I enjoy helping children and young people make sense of their experiences, build on their strengths, and develop a greater understanding of themselves and their relationships.
I also value working collaboratively with parents and caregivers. Supporting a child often means understanding the broader relationships and environments around them, and I see parents and caregivers as important partners in the counselling process.
When I am not in the counselling room, I can often be found spending time with my husband, children, and our rather rascally dog, Taz. We enjoy exploring the beautiful nature around us and giving new life to discarded pieces of furniture.
My Philosophy
I believe that meaningful change develops within relationships where people feel safe, understood, accepted, and respected. My counselling approach is warm, collaborative, and strengths-based.
When working with children, I recognize play as a natural and developmentally appropriate way for them to express themselves, process emotions, explore relationships, and work through experiences. Play and creative expression can provide children with ways to communicate experiences that may be difficult to put into words.
My work is also informed by attachment, nervous system regulation, neurodiversity-affirming practice, and an understanding that behaviour often communicates something important about a person’s experience or needs. Rather than focusing only on reducing difficult behaviours or symptoms, I am interested in understanding what may be happening beneath them and helping children, youth, and families develop greater connection, self-understanding, confidence, and capacity to navigate challenges.
My work is grounded in a Person-Centred approach and draws from Synergetic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, and other expressive and developmentally responsive approaches. I tailor my approach to the unique needs and strengths of each child, youth, adult, or family.
Professional Affiliations
- Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #18893) and Approved Clinical Supervisor Candidate with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)
- BC Registered Play Therapist (BCRPT).
- Counsellor with the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP)
- Counsellor with the Island Kids Cancer Association (IKCA)
Professional Trainings
- Certified Synergetic Psychotherapist
- Certified AutPlay Therapy Provider
- Certified Positive Parenting Educator
- Accredited Level 4 Group Triple P – Positive Parenting Program Provider
I am committed to ongoing professional development and regularly participate in training, consultation, and clinical supervision to continue strengthening my work with children, youth, families, and fellow clinicians.