My path to becoming a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) was built on over twenty-five years of working directly on the ground with people navigating life challenges, crisis, and change. Before stepping into  clinical practice, I spent decades as an educator, school administrator, and community leader. Throughout those years, I operated under a core belief: there is no such thing as problem youth, just youth with problems. If we teach them to cope, they will soar.

That philosophy remains the foundation of all of my work  today. During my time directing alternate and adult education programs, I learned firsthand that people are rarely the problem themselves. Instead, they are usually individuals dealing with immense, overwhelming challenges. Whether managing complex crises, helping students navigate learning differences, or working alongside families to manage mental illness, my role has always been to provide the stable, practical tools needed to step out of high alert so healing can actually begin.

This decades-long journey inspired me to create The Whyse Approach for understanding trauma and resilience. It is a practical framework built on real-world application, which led to opportunities designing cultural safety training for organizations like Fraser Health and delivering specialized curriculum for Indigenous organizations. I have also had the privilege of teaching these concepts at the university level, serving as an Adjunct Professor at UBC Okanagan to train future professionals in healing the roots of trauma and managing complex behavioural issues by understanding their true underlying cause. I combine all of my experience for both counselling and consulting/training, tailoring each to the unique needs, circumstances, and goals of the people and organizations I work with.

In my practice, I combine this deep, structural knowledge with a completely straightforward and authentic personality. I do not hide behind clinical pretense, and I do not use complicated textbook jargon. True change happens through a collaborative, genuine relationship. Every individual’s unique history and differences are deeply respected here, and we will always explore your path forward at a pace that keeps your nervous system feeling completely safe.

I work with youth and adults, supporting each person according to their age, experience, circumstances, and goals. I also particularly value working with seniors and older adults. As someone in the same generation, I understand that the world we grew up in was very different from the one we navigate today. The expectations, social norms, family roles, and experiences that shaped our generation can have a lasting influence on how we see ourselves, our relationships, and the challenges we face later in life. I bring that shared generational understanding into my counselling work, creating a space where seniors can feel understood, respected, and comfortable being themselves.