Hi, I’m Holly.
I am a second career psychotherapist who loves helping people meet their messy, magical selves with curiosity and care. I’m from Calgary, Alberta, and now as a military spouse, I have the perfect excuse to explore parts of our beautiful country I haven’t seen yet!
Before psychotherapy, I completed a Master’s in Public Health and spent several years working in research and program evaluation, primarily within mental health and substance use. This work allowed me to contribute to meaningful, systems-level change and remains something I care deeply about - from time to time you might find me dabbling in the occasional project. Over time, however, I found myself drawn to the more personal, human side of this work and felt called to connect more directly with the individuals behind the data.
My own positive experiences in therapy also played an important role in this decision, showing me firsthand the power of being seen, understood, and supported - and inspiring me to make a transition. After a bit of hmming and hawing about going back to school, I pursued my Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. Since then, it has been an incredible privilege to sit with and learn from the many resilient, complex, and deeply human stories people carry. Providing therapy has allowed me to combine my background in mental health with my passion for connection, and I am continually grateful for the opportunity to do this work.
Outside of sessions, you’ll probably find me hiking in the mountains, sipping something warm (probably coffee), or snuggling one of the three fur balls that run my home.
I believe everyone is the expert in their own story, and my goal is to meet you where you are. I want you to feel validated, supported, and heard when you sit in session with me.
My Training
Formal Education
Bachelor of Science, Honours, Major in Life Science, Queen’s University (2017)
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University (2025)
Certifications
Trauma-Informed Practice: Level 1 (2024)
Gottman Method Couples Therapy - Level 1 (2025)
Mastering Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy (2025)
Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) Level 1 (2026)
It’s important to feel confident in your therapist’s education and training. For me, learning is a lifelong commitment. In addition to my formal education and certifications, I regularly invest in continuing professional development through webinars, conferences, supervision, podcasts, and ongoing reading. Staying curious and reflective allows me to deepen my knowledge and continue growing in ways that support the clients I work with.
To learn more about my certifications and additional training, please see below.
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Offered by the Trauma Informed Practice Institute in British Columbia, this certification reflects advanced training in understanding the impact of trauma and supporting clients in the healing process.
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The widely recognized training run by the Gottman Institute that provides clinicians with a research-based, evidence-supported framework for treating couples.
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An intensive online certification run by the creator of IFS, Dr. Richard Shwartz, and Dr. Frank Anderson. IFS is an evidence-based approach based on over 30 years of research with demonstrated evidence in supporting clients with trauma, anxiety, depression, and more.
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An intensive online certification run by the creator of EFT, Dr. Sue Johnson. Backed by over 30 years of research, EFT has demonstrated evidence in helping with emotional dysregulation and creating new positive emotional experiences.
My Approach
I bring an integrated approach predominantly pulling from:
Somatic Therapy
Polyvagal Therapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy
Attachment Theory
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
Gottman Therapy
Because no two humans are the same, therapy shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. I tailor our work to you - your goals, your pace, and the kind of support you need, all while grounding our sessions in deeper nervous system work to help you reconnect, regulate, and feel more like yourself again.
Our first session will be spent getting to know one another, learning your story, and getting to know your goals in working together. There is no need to share everything in the first session - nor would there be time to! Starting therapy can be extremely vulnerable, and I want you to open up at a pace that feels right to you.
As we continue in sessions, we will balance paying attention to current situations with diving deeper into attachment wounds and past experiences when, and if, you are ready. This work is focused on learning more about patterns, nervous system reactions, and untangling perhaps complex emotions. I do not believe in “fixing you” or “having the right answer.” I am here to pay attention to and reflect what I see happening in the room, patterns in behaviours relayed, and help you better attune with how your body processes experiences.
The pace at which we do this all depends on you - this is your therapy. You decide what we talk about, how deep we go, and how long we talk about it.
My Office Assistant, Maurice
Maurice is my trusty (and slightly furry) office assistant! He helps me stay on task, keeps my nervous system in check, and provides endless motivation - and you just might get to say hi to him during a session.