About Us

Areas I like to work in:

I like to work with leaders striving be the best versions of themselves as they lead others. I like to work with people who want to learn about who they are, how they are wired, and what matters most so they can embrace all life moments and live their best life.

My personal mission statement supports me in doing this work: “Passion, commitment and intensity unleash a new freedom of an energetic, balanced and holistic person who is healthy for life”.

What people can expect when working with me:

People can expect space to show up as themselves, openness and curiosity from me, and support and partnership as they work to learn and grow to be the best version of themselves throughout their life journey.

3 – 5 words clients might use to describe me:

Caring, present, accepting, passionate

Why I decided to become a therapist:

I am not sure I decided to be a therapist and I am not sure I consider myself a therapist. I love people and I love to support people in doing hard things. I feel that everyone has limited life moments, and I want to work with others to help them make the most of the moments that they have. I consider myself a support and a partner in the journey. I am one cog in the wheel, and it is an unbelievable privilege to be trusted and invited into the things that matter most in a person’s life. I don’t take that lightly and I honor that by showing up fully to every conversation and listening carefully to what matters most to the client. Grounded in stages of change and Roger’s core conditions, I have the courage to say hard things in a way it can be heard and owned so that people can live the life they want.

In 1997, my grad school colleague summarized it in this manner: “Adrienne knows that life is the one true sport that calls on all that we have and all that we are”.

Something I enjoy outside of my role as therapist:

I love watching people be great. Anyone living their gifts and bringing that to the world is an absolute privilege to witness, and sport and the arts are places I love. I also value nature and spending time in deep conversation. A good book, a great podcast, or a Netflix binge have been additions since COVID. And spending time with my family is an absolute joy; it soothes my soul.

As captured by my friend: “I believe that living means being not doing, trusting not fearing, and loving boldy, wildly, and freely”.

Areas I like to work in:

I enjoy working with people who are curious about learning new things about themselves and are striving for greatness (whatever that means to them) in their careers, sports, or life.

A lot of my practice has been spent supporting and working with women during the transition to motherhood and creating a new blended identity. I enjoy working with and supporting girls to grow in a way that challenges the status quo, and I love working with strong women who dream ‘too big’ and ‘take on too much.’

I am also passionate about leading group and team sessions and creating space for transformation in a group setting.

What can people expect when working with me:

People can expect to be greeted warmly, and to have space to be themselves. Clients have shared with me that they feel I am open, non-judgemental, honest, and approachable. I care a lot about connecting with my clients, and I feel that building a strong relationship allows us to do hard things together. I create space for self-discovery and hold a mirror to my client’s experience so they can become more self-aware and examine what is going on in a meaningful way. I remind clients of their strengths and am one of their biggest cheerleaders.

Asking for help and coming in for therapy can be really challenging (I find it challenging, too!), so I try to lighten the experience with a witty comment, vivid analogy, or a joke or pun when appropriate. I feel it is important for us to talk through and practice the skills and strategies that we feel are a good fit, so my sessions are often very interactive.

3-5 words my clients might use to describe me:

Sincere, Thoughtful, Adaptable, Caring, Witty

Why I decided to become a therapist

I originally had heard about a sport psychologist as a teenager and thought that was such an interesting way to combine my love for sports and performing with a career. When it came to my degree, I started in psychology and transitioned to interior design (another passion). It wasn’t until I experienced a significant change and loss that I decided to shift career paths. Coping with transition is hard, and I felt called to support people who are going through hard things and feel at a loss with how it’s “supposed” to go.

Something I enjoy outside of my role as a therapist:

I love spending time with my family, being active, creating, and getting out in nature. I blend a busy life as a mom of 3 sporty boys, a wife to a driven husband, and a dog mom to a very large Bernese Mountain Dog. When I carve out time for myself, I’m likely doing something active (lifting, spin class, yoga, walking) or creating something (my friends used to call me Martha Stewart). I’m definitely in the season of life where I need to practice being intentional about what I do and how I spend my time, and its impact on myself and others.

Areas I like to work in:

I love to work with individuals who are eager to learn about themselves and invest in their own growth. No matter what challenges we face, we all have the capacity to build skills towards resilience.

What can you expect:

My clients can expect a welcoming and open space to share who they are and build skills towards growth. My approach is 100% focused on you as a unique individual. You can expect to feel heard and gain skills to build your confidence in managing challenges. I also love to highlight and celebrate your successes with you.

3-5 words my clients might use to describe me:

warm, accepting, energetic, genuine, and knowledgeable

Why I decided to become a therapist:

I have always known I wanted work in an area that allowed me to help others. Throughout my training, I have invested in two areas I am passionate about: working with youth and in sport.

Why Sport Psychology? I have always had a passion for supporting the mental prep side of sport. Growing up, I was keenly interested in how my dad, a former goaltender, taught my older brother the importance of mentally preparing for competition as a goalie. Viewing sport from this lens fueled my desire to pursue sport psychology. It exposed me to the value of mental skills but more importantly, it taught me about the importance of investing in yourself and your passion.

Why youth/kids? I love to educate kids and teens about behavioural self-management skills because I know from personal experience that they are the key to overcoming challenges like anxiety. As a child who experienced anxiety, I had to learn how to manage that early on and am grateful for the incredible supports I had. Its an honor to be able to pay that forward.

Something I enjoy outside my role as a therapist:

Being with my family is my ultimate joy. My happy place is at my family cottage in the Whiteshell where we spend summers. I am a mom of 2 children and a dog mom of 2 Bernedoodles and I enjoy spending as much time outdoors with them as possible. My own passion is equestrian. Being around horses soothes my soul. I grew up riding and I am lucky that my daughter now shares this passion of mine.

Areas I like to work in:

I like to work with high performing individuals who may be finding themselves stuck whether it may be mental health or performance wise. I like helping people learn who they are and how they operate to better manage the life of being a high performer. Some themes I like working with: Perfectionism, Anxiety, Depression, and Binge Eating

What people can expect when working with me:

People can expect a non-judgemental and safe environment for them to be authentically themselves as we navigate change. I do my best to create a calm environment to help with nervousness when coming to a session for the first time. I meet clients where they are at in the moment and help them see the road map to change.

3-5 words clients might use to describe me:

Relatable, Listener, Outgoing, Compassionate

Why I decided to become a therapist:

Through my own journey in elite athletics it became apparent to me that there was a significant gap in the mental performance and mental health space surrounding athletes. Most of us needed a resource but the difficulty alone of admitting that a problem is greater than what I can resolve on my own is challenging enough, now matched with not knowing how, when, or where to access this is hard to navigate. Now that I am a part of this space I do my best to support other athletes and professional navigate change so they can become the best versions of themselves.

Something I enjoy outside of my role as therapist:

Knowing that my life in elite athletics has ended, I do still love playing sports. In my off hours you can find me mostly playing hockey or soccer, because that sounds much more exciting than going for a run. I also do CrossFit which has been a great transitional tool for me as an athlete to feel the feeling of competing again. Outside of movement I enjoy reading and catching up with my long-distance friends.

Areas I like to work in:

My passion is helping people who are feeling scared, stuck, anxious, or unsure in any part of their lives feel better, confident and in control. My goal is to help clients become the best version of themselves by developing a sense of identity and augmenting their strengths. I like to support clients in identifying what their current picture or blueprint for life is and planning for achieving it or shifting it to experience a more fulfilling future.

What people can expect when working with me:

People can expect to feel welcomed, safe, and supported in a collaborative environment and grow to feel empowered to create new patterns in their lives, coming to their own conclusions in their journey towards transformation and balance. They can expect that I will listen carefully, respond authentically and support unconditionally.

3 – 5 words clients might use to describe me:

Calm and present, compassionate and understanding, engaging

Why I decided to become a therapist:

Feeling unfulfilled in my previous career I worked to identify the parts of that job that I loved and the parts that I wanted more control over. That process led me to where I am now – I enjoy working in a collaborative, pressure-free environment where transformation is not only a possibility but a reality. I was seeking balance in my own life and finding the joy in the simple things sparked a belief that I can work in partnership with others to support them in creating a life full of all the pieces that bring them joy.

Something I enjoy outside of my role as therapist:

My family and friends are the most important thing in my life. My joy comes from the time I spend with them whether sharing a special meal, a walk in nature or time at the cottage – these are the moments I cherish. I especially love to watch my children living their lives, which these days often means as a spectator at their sports, but I also love the quick chats as we drive from one place to another or in the minutes between life tasks. In my time outside of my roles as a wife, mother, and a therapist I play sport, spend time in nature, love to travel and read, and am currently trying to make time to delve back into photography.

Areas I like to work in:

Youth, Assessment, Golf, CBT skills

What can people expect when working with me:

Patience, Kindness, and Open Mindedness

3-5 words my clients might use to describe me:

Friendly, Inquisitive, Empathetic, Honest

Why I decided to become a therapist:

I decided to become a School Psychologist because I love helping. I love to help however and whenever I can, and working with kids was always something I knew I was going to do. I also love seeing things and people grow, and helping young people through hard times and move towards a healthier or stronger version of themselves is very fun and rewarding for me.

Something I enjoy outside of my role as a therapist:

Playing sports such as golf and tennis.

Areas I like to work in:

I enjoy collaborating with individuals to help them identify goals that are aligned with their values, and I aim to empower my clients to make changes in their lives that improve their functioning and wellbeing. I’m particularly passionate about working with those who experience anxiety, panic, depression, trauma, life stressors, and chronic pain.

What people can expect when working with me:

When working with me, you can anticipate an approach characterized by warmth, curiosity, and non-judgment. I strive to create an environment where my clients feel genuinely seen and accepted. My approach involves using an integrative theoretical orientation tailored to each individual’s unique needs and preferences.

3 – 5 words clients might use to describe me:

Empathetic, Supportive, Collaborative, Non-Judgmental

Why I decided to become a therapist:

During my time as an elite athlete, I often heard the message to “suck it up” and avoid talking about my feelings. When I started mentoring younger athletes in the community, it became clear to me that many of them similarly believed that they must push through emotional pain faced in sport, and that expressing emotion or being labeled as “emotional” was a sign of weakness. I strongly believe that learning to be more aware and accepting of my own emotions helped me along my journey to eventually win a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics and, importantly, sparked my interest in helping others (athletes and non-athletes) with their mental health.

Something I enjoy outside of my role as therapist:

In my spare time, you can find me taking a hot yoga or spin class, going for a hike in nature, or spending time with my friends and family. I also enjoy mentoring young athletes throughout the country.

Areas I like to work in:

My approach as a therapist is to trust that my clients are capable of achieving great things, and that they are working hard to become the best versions of themselves. My role is to support my clients’ mental health and wellbeing so they can feel free to achieve these goals, whether this involves creating a safe space for reflection and self-discovery or building skills that can be transferred to the rest of their lives.

What people can expect:

A collaborative approach to identifying and addressing goals and concerns. Freedom to guide their own therapy to the issues that matter most to them. Flexible adaptation to integrate therapeutic interventions that are well-suited to your needs.

3-5 words my clients might use to describe me:

Caring, compassionate, enthusiastic, genuine

Why I decided to become a therapist:

I have always been fascinated by people and understanding “what makes them tick.” If I can help a person learn more about themselves, perhaps we can remove some of the barriers and challenges standing in their way.

Something I enjoy outside of my role:

I love sports, music, and spending time with family and friends. I try to indulge my creative side when I can.

Areas I like to work in:

I enjoy working with all humans from all walks of life but I especially enjoy working with individuals who are struggling in the areas of anxiety and trauma; specifically related to sport. I love seeing humans grow and witness their strengths as they realize their potential and they become the best versions of themselves.

What can people expect when working with me:

When working with me, individuals can expect a calm environment where the client is in the driver seat navigating which direction they would like to go. Sometimes we (clients) get stuck, and when that happens, I’m here to help you figure out how to get unstuck. I meet you where you are; not where you think you should be. I have created a safe, inclusive, non-judgemental and welcoming space. We can navigate your strengths and struggles together.

3-5 words my clients might use to describe me:

Compassionate, Calm, Honest, Non-judgemental, Human

Why I decided to become a therapist:

It’s funny, because I didn’t initially set out to become a therapist. I initially decided to enroll in my Postbaccalaureate Diploma in counselling to better support my students in the classroom. Through my studies I fell in love with the content and the impact it could have in helping others. Once completing my PBDE I enrolled in grad school to earn my Masters in Education in Counselling Psychology. Through all my studies, I felt like I was better prepared to assist and advocate for my students but more than anything, I began to see how my previous traumas in sport, along with my passion to help others connected. Everything came full circle when I was doing my clinical practicum with the Canadian Sport Centre and the University of Manitoba Bisons; combing my love of learning, teaching, psychology and sport. My path to get here was most definitely not linear, but it is exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Something I enjoy outside of my role as a therapist:

My two little boys are the pride and joy of my life. They keep me laughing and always have me on the go! Exploring the world through their eyes has been incredibly humbling; they keep me on my toes and remind me to slow down, disconnect and be in the moment.

Areas I like to work in:

I like working with groups and individuals. In particular I like working in areas such as career development, personal  growth, assisting clients to develop perspective. I also love fostering Success in the face of marginalization.

What can people expect when working with me:

I will try to be warm, empathic, and patient.

3-5 words my clients might use to describe me:

Words to describe me include passionate, compassionate, empathic, and an advocate for self-advocacy.

Why I decided to become a therapist:

I decided to become a therapist to pay forward the kindness and generosity of the people who throughout my life taught, coached, mentored, and loved me.

I hope to share the gifts I have received with my clients and colleagues.

Something I enjoy outside of my role as a therapist:

I enjoy volunteering.

Areas I like to work in:

My main interest has been working with university-level student-athletes, as I find great meaning in guiding individuals of this demographic (or, rather, guiding them to guide themselves) through the challenges of being students, athletes, and young adults.  For me, this work entails Martin Buber’s (1987) “I-thou” approach as I strive to have no expectations (while still challenging individuals accordingly), as student-athletes constantly find themselves being assessed and judged through measures such as grade point average, goals, assists, and other performance metrics.

More recently, I have found great meaning in being a support person for people involved in Social Justice work, and I am interested in becoming more active in this role.

What can people expect when working with me:

People can expect a culturally sensitive, strengths-based, relationship-centered approach focusing on environmental factors and emotional supports, as well as authenticity, a wise use of humor, and, when appropriate, light neuroeducation so we can better understand ourselves as human beings.

3-5 words my clients might use to describe me:

Compassionate, empathetic, emotionally attuned, insightful.

Why I decided to become a therapist:

At some point, I realized that it can be incredibly rewarding when one takes the time to search for the great strengths existing within individuals—strengths that often go unrecognized in systems such as Western education and high-performance sport.  I have grown a lot as a person by learning from people I have worked with, seeing the incredible integrity they have demonstrated while taking on challenges, and watching them exercise their resilience while working through adversity.  Although therapists see a lot of hurt, they also see a great deal of spirit, and it is the latter that inspires me to be not only a therapist, but a better person.

Something I enjoy outside of my role as a therapist:

Outside of my role as a therapist, I enjoy being out in nature, fishing, running, and having deep conversations with good friends.