Hello! I'm Kimberly
About Me
From a young age, I’ve felt a strong calling to help others, which naturally led me to the field of social work. Attending an information session at the University of the Fraser Valley’s Social Work program solidified this path for me. I completed my Bachelor of Social Work, specializing in Child Welfare, in 2014 and spent four years supporting children involved in the foster care system. In 2018, I completed my Master of Social Work at the University of British Columbia, where my research focused on the importance of attachment, connection, and relationships for Indigenous children and youth.
During my graduate studies, one of my most meaningful practicum placements involved guiding children in care and adoptive youth through life story work, a process that deepened my understanding of identity, loss, and healing. Since completing my MSW, I have worked in community mental health, providing counselling support to children and youth navigating a wide range of mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, OCD, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and trauma.
My therapeutic approach integrates a variety of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and both directive and non-directive play therapy. I’m also trained in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), which supports caregivers of children with significant anxiety and/or OCD.
My Philosophy
I particularly enjoy working with children as young as three, using play therapy as a way to connect with and understand them through their natural language of play. I also really enjoy working with teens, meeting them where they’re at and building trust in a way that feels respectful, collaborative, and real. I believe in meeting young people wherever they are in their journey and in creating a warm, judgment-free space where they feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions. I strive to make counselling engaging and enjoyable, often incorporating art and games into sessions.
Whenever possible, I value including caregivers in the process. Collaborating with families is central to my approach, as it helps foster connection, healing, and growth across the whole system of support surrounding the child or teen.
Professional Affiliations
- BC College of Social Workers: Registered Social Worker #12144
Specialized Trainings
- Synergetic Play Therapy – Level 1
- Canadian Association for Play Therapy
– Understanding Traumatized Children & Applying Play Therapy Tools
– Understanding and Treating Anxious Children - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- DBT Skills for Adolescents and Families
- Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), including SPACE for ARFID
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – Trauma Focused
- Collaborative and Proactive Solutions
- Foundations in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Practice
- Emotion Focused Family Therapy, Core Training
- Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk
- Motivational Interviewing, Level I & II