Who I Am

 

My name is Andrea and my pronouns are (she/her). I have over 15 years of experience as a social worker and helping professional working in a diverse range of settings that include community outreach, youth mental health, adult mental health, housing, and education. I am incredibly grateful for the experiences I have had in my career. To walk alongside so many inspiring, resilient, compassionate and beautifully strong human beings has motivated and energized me to continue on the path of service.

A bit about how I practice - I consider myself a guide rather than an expert, and I like to frame our sessions by asking questions to invite you to reconsider, or at least question, how you are making sense of your experience. As well, I consider myself a feminist counsellor which means I can help create opportunities in our sessions to examine how power shapes different areas of your life. I am passionate about integrating empowerment and consciousness raising into my therapeutic work. When I say consciousness raising - I mean bringing to light the realities of oppression, racism, sexism, hetero-normativity, etc and how these systems of minoritization further perpetuates us into the belief that we are powerless and ultimately broken. In our work together, it is essential that we explore our shared suffering that is the result of a toxic culture that we are living within, and not who we really are. Awaken out of the illusion. The ultimate resistance.

In my personal life, I am a dedicated practitioner of Insight Meditation and I attend multi-day silent retreats each year. I love to travel and I love to be in nature and enjoy spending quality time with my loved ones, including my kitty! :)

I am an ally of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two spirit and asexual (LGBTQQIP2SA) community. As well, my practice is located on the traditional unceded land of the Coast Salish Territory, which includes the Lekwungen (Esquimalt and Songhees), Pacheedaht, Scia’new, T’Sou-ke, and W̱SÁNEĆ (Pauquachin, Malahat, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum) nations.

 Please reach out if you are curious about how we might be able to work together. I look forward to connecting with you! 

Postsecondary Education:

  • Master of Social Work (MSW) ** In Progress- University of Calgary, **Expected completion, 2026

  • Advanced Social Work Practice - Graduate Certificate - University of Calgary, 2024

  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) - University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, 2011

  • Registered Social Worker - Member in Good Standing (RSW#14073) - British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW)

  • Diploma in Social Work - Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, 2008

Trainings

  • ERP School for Mental Health Professionals - Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD - Online Training - CBT School, Kimberly Quinlan. 2023

  • ERP School for Mental Health Professionals - Mindfulness School for OCD - Online Training - CBT School, Kimberly Quinlan. 2023

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD: Foundational Training - Candace M. Monson, Ph.D., C. Psych., Phillipe Schneider, Ph.D., C. Psych. 2020

  • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction –6-Day MBSR Teacher Training Intensive through the UCSD Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute. - Battavia, NY, 2019

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - Introductory Course Psych Wire, 2022

  • S-T-R-E-T-C-H! Becoming The Incredible Coach You Truly Are, Mindfulness Coaching School, 2022

  • Completed training in Non Violent Communication with Marshal Rosenberg - Online, 2018

  • Advanced Certificate in Guiding and Teaching Meditation – Australian Centre for Holistic Studies - Melbourne, Australia, 2016

Retreats/Short- Term courses attended:

  • 6 day Silent Retreat - taught by Adrianne Ross and Kristina Bare - BC Insight Meditation Society - Bethleham Centre, Nanimo, BC

  • 5 day Vipassana Silent Retreat - Earthspring Retreat Centre, Highlands, BC

  • 7 day Silent Retreat - taught by Santikaro - Cloud Mountain Retreat Centre, Washington, US, 2023.

  • 4 day Silent Retreat - taught by Rachel Lewis and Roxanne Dault - BC Insight Meditation Society - Bethleham Centre, Nanaimo, BC, 2022

  • 7 day Silent Retreat - taught by Mark Coleman- Natural Radiance: The Freedom of Awareness - Spirit Rock Insight Meditation Centre, Woodacre, California - 2021

  • 10 day Silent Vipassana Meditation Retreat – taught by S/N Goenka - Merritt, BC - 2019

  • Attended the 2019 and 2022 BC Mindfulness Summit - Victoria, BC

  • 3 day Residential Mindfulness Meditation silent retreat with Patricia Galaczy and Mark Sherman. Bethleham Centre - Nanaimo, BC - 2018

  • Completed an 8 week Mindful Self Compassion Course - Victoria, BC - 2018

  • Completed two 8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Courses-Victoria, BC - 2017/2018