About
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Life brings a lot of challenges. Difficult times can makes us feel hopeless. But hope can be restored. We can move through painful experiences and come to love ourselves and others better. We might not be able to change our circumstances, but we can change how we respond to them, how we allow them to affect us and our view of ourselves. Challenging? You bet! Possible? Absolutely! Let me help you find hope and healing!
An almost-empty-nester, I recently remarried – so watch for my name changing to Smit, along with a new website! My husband and I divide our time between our homes in Peterborough and St. Catharines. Between us we have 4 young adult children. While my daughter is attending school on the east coast, we get to pet-sit her sassy cat and a very large lap dog - a cane corso/mastiff cross who loves to cuddle!! While they live on the premises, the animals do not attend sessions…although the dog has been known to make a special appearance upon request!
I have been in private practice in Peterborough since 2014 seeing individuals and couples of all ages and walks of life, dealing with a wide spectrum of issues. Up until August 2021, I also worked for a local community agency and still maintain strong ties to that organization. I seek to match the therapy approach to the client, paying particular attention to developing a strong therapeutic relationship between myself and my client.
Training
I hold a Master of Divinity, Clinical Counselling degree from Tyndale University, College and Seminary in Toronto. My primary training has been in the area of marriage and family therapy, with the focus on both the theological and psychological understandings of the human person in their relationships. The unique combination of psychology and theology in my background allows me to be able to help people integrate their spirituality and faith in the counselling process, should it be desired. Additionally, I have also studied areas such as sexuality, cross-cultural considerations, addictions, violence in relationships, and trauma. Continuing education and professional development is vitally important and I regularly attend to my ongoing development through a variety of means.
Professional Registration and Accountability
Accountability is very important to me to ensure my clients receive the best care possible. I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and adhere to the professional practice standards and code of ethics the CRPO sets out. Please see www.crpo.ca for further information.