The name A.C.C.E.L. is an acronym representing myself and the names of my children who are the driving force behind everything I do.
A.C.C.E. are the initials of my children’s first names … and L represents love.
As your Counsellor, I bring commitment and compassion to everything I do, including my work with my clients. I have been right where you are.
Chances are, you’ve already tried a number of strategies including self-help strategies, exercise, yoga, medication, meditation, books or podcasts, natural remedies … and although some of them might have helped a bit, you are still feeling stuck. Life just doesn’t feel as good as it should, and your relationships are suffering. You find yourself reacting to things you wouldn’t normally, and not being able to handle things as well as you typically are.
I’ve lost family members to cancer; went through the experience and pain of separation; the struggles of workplace conflict with little support; being ignored when I needed support as a child and adolescent. During these times I experienced grief, pain and felt completely helpless. I will never forget those Counsellors, friends, and other supports who really listened to me and took me seriously.
This made all the difference in the world.
Your experience might be different from mine, but like you, I know what it feels like to not be heard by the people around you. Like you, I have felt unsupported and struggled to get people to take my needs seriously.
I know exactly what it’s like to feel overwhelmed and stuck … and not know how to move forward.
When my own children were born, I wanted to make sure that they didn’t have to go through the same kinds of struggles I faced. As both a father and a counsellor, I strive to make sure that my children, and my clients, always feel heard and understood.
In my youth, and through the influences of my father who instilled a strong sense of social justice and genuine compassion for others, I became fascinated by how people think and why we are the way we are. I studied Criminology and Sociology and eventually became a School Counsellor through Acadia University’s Masters in Education (Counselling) program studying Counselling Psychology.
Today, I work in private practice supporting adults and youth who are struggling with stress and anxiety. I am a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and a Canadian Certified Counsellor, and a member of the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists and a licensed Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate. In addition to these credentials, I am also a Level 2 Gottman Clinician, and Clinical Integrative EMDR trained.
My goal is to help you clarify your goals for our work together, resolve the issues you are facing, and maintain those changes so that you can live your best life.
