Before I was a social worker and founded The Bower, I taught English literature at the university level for over a decade. First, I completed a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and then I began a PhD in English literature, studying Romantic poetry. It is from reference to the poetry of Keats, Shelley, and Wordsworth, that my practice, The Bower, gets its name.

As much as I love poetry, I find being part of the transformation that occurs with other people most powerful. That is what led me to social work and to practice psychotherapy.  

I earned a Masters of Science of Social Work from Columbia University in New York. Columbia has the only DBT internship training program in any social work school, and I did a year-long internship in DBT and intensive training. Since moving to Canada, I have worked at two specialized DBT clinics in Toronto. I have taught DBT skills classes for many years and led DBT-informed parent and  caregiver workshops. I provide DBT-informed individual and family therapy and offer parent coaching.  

In addition to DBT, I am also intensively trained in other evidence-based therapies, such as Emotion Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.  

These days, I have less time for poetry, though my relationships with my friends, and spouse, and  especially my children, have their own poetry. They have transformed me and have only strengthened my  belief that we transform together. It is my privilege to do it with you. Please join me in The Bower.