About Stephen

It was just one call, and while not all landed so idyllic, I knew this to be a path I could devote my life to. In short order, I began studies that in time led to my licensing and current practice. With a career in mental health that began in 1993 as Family and Couples Therapist inspired by the pioneering approach of Virginia Satir, I have integrated Gestalt, Emotionally-Focused, Transactional, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies along with Mindfulness into a trauma-informed, strength-based psychotherapy.

I learned to respond with compassion to stories of loss and grief, offer a hand up to those who felt overwhelmed and discouraged, assist adults and youth who wished to end their dependency on a variety of substances, support couples as they learned healthy ways to better understand one another, and when tragedy occurs, support those in need. I continue to be fulfilled each day finding new ways to be of service to my clients, my community, and my profession.

Therapeutic Approach:
Over the intervening three decades since certification with the Gestalt Experiential Training Institute of Vancouver, I have explored many complementary approaches and philosophies, each contributing to my current eclectic approach to the therapy. Notably, these influences include: 

Gestalt Roots
At the core of my eclectic therapeutic approach, I am a Gestalt therapist. The Gestalt approach encourages a here-and-now focus with goals of self-responsibility and wholeness. What is happening in this particular moment in time? How are our needs being met in relationship with friends or loved ones, within community or any other aspect of our life circumstance? How do we limit our own opportunities for happiness and peace?

Attunement and Emotional Focus
Buddha taught that a non-judgmental awareness supports self-compassion. Emotions in the present moment are valuable guides when navigating work, family, health, community issues. Counselling offers a safe place to listen to and learn from difficult emotions. 

Family and Couple Counselling
Consistent with this inner attunement, philosopher Martin Buber described how a non-judgmental awareness lays the groundwork for genuine, vulnerable, mutual contact with another person. Virginia Satir’s systemic approach to family and couple counselling centers on improving communication and supporting each person’s self-worth. 

​

Attachment
Buddha taught that attachment is the primary cause of suffering, since it depends on an illusion of permanence. Paradoxically, children naturally develop attachment to their parents and caregivers. This is necessary for their healthy psycho-social development. Before we can mature into an acceptance of impermanence, therefore, we must first secure a healthy illusion of permanence. If this need continues unmet into our adulthood, it may manifest in stubborn and persistent states of depression, anxiety, or anger, clinging to beliefs about how the world should or should not be, protesting that which we cannot change. Counselling offers a restorative process by exploring the healthy resolution of these relational needs.

Dependencies and Motivation to Change
Painful emotions that accompany trauma and loss may lead to attempts to escape or numb such memories with behaviours, substances, or mental fixations. In doing so, however, we create greater separation from meaningful, authentic relationship and satisfying life experiences. I assist individuals seeking to lessen or end such cycles of dependency with a strength-based approach, exploring the potential benefits of change, and planning behavioural change to enhance opportunities for recovery.

Positive Reframing
Without minimizing the struggle or pain that may accompany difficult emotion, it also offers opportunity. Regret may motivate an individual to reach out to a friend. Irritation can prompt them to change a pattern they have been replaying without success. Depression may invite a mid-life examination of priorities. Counselling can offer the support needed to explore life’s challenges through a different lens.

If there are any questions that you have about my approach or the therapeutic process, please do not hesitate to reach out. I will be happy to respond.

Education, Certification, and Registration: 
•    1994        Gestalt Institute of Vancouver  (certificate)
•    1996        Satir Institute of the Pacific Northwest (certificate)
•    1997        University of British Columbia  (Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology)
•    1998 – ongoing     British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors  (Registered Clinical Counsellor)
•    2015 – ongoing     College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario  (Registered Psychotherapist), 
•    2018 - ongoing     Institute for Self-in-Relationship Psychotherapy  (supervisor training certificate)
•    2024 – ongoing    British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (Approved Clinical Supervisor certification)

I accord respect to all persons, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, language preference and proficiency, gender identity, sexual orientation, neuro-diversity, dis/ability, political affiliation, religion or spiritual beliefs. 
I acknowledge that I live, work, and play on the stolen, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples and I commit to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action.