About me

Welcome. I’m glad you’re here.

I’m passionate about art therapy and I have a genuine enthusiasm for helping others find healing, connection, and joy in art. Art therapy has played a huge role in my own healing journey and I strongly believe it can help others.

I was born in the mountains of North Vancouver, British Columbia and I currently live in Sydney, Australia. Although I was born in Canada, I spent most of my childhood living outside of the country. My father was a Canadian Diplomat so I was raised in Pakistan, Egypt, Ghana, Jamaica, and Ukraine.

A big part of who I am, and the reason I work in this profession, is because of my sister, Elizabeth. My sister and I were 14 months apart and were very close growing up. She began showing signs of a mental health disorder at a very young age. As she got older, she suffered from debilitating cycles of depression and addiction. While we never found out what her condition was, it was likely to be bipolar disorder.

On October 13th, 2013 my sister died. She was only 26 years old. Her loss pierced through the layers of beliefs and foundations on which I saw the world. It led me on a journey towards understanding my own mortality and seeking answers through therapy and spirituality.

Discovering Transpersonal Art Therapy

I’ve been on a harrowing and painful journey through grief which ultimately led to a career in art therapy. In many ways, it feels like it found me. My sister was also a gifted artist and I believe my work pays tribute to her life. I know she would have loved art therapy. If only we’d known more about it at the time.

Art in all of its forms can be a powerful tool for processing emotions, reducing anxiety, and increasing feelings of connection. Loneliness and isolation is an epidemic in our modern lives. I believe our innate ability for creativity can be a powerful form of healing.

I don’t see what I do now as work or a career, but more as a life purpose. Everything I went through brought me exactly where I am today. Although it’s not the journey I wanted, I’m grateful for every part of it for making me the person I am today.  

Qualifications

• Diploma of Meditation Facilitation
  (Meditation Teacher Training College, Sydney, Australia. March 2021)
• Advanced Diploma Transpersonal Art Therapy & Counselling
  (College of Complementary Medicine, Sydney, Australia. August 2020)
• Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
  (Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. March 2013)

Professional Development

• Mental Health First Aid Officer, 2021
• Griefline, Volunteer Counsellor, 2020
• Solution Focused Therapy Training, 2019
• Bereaved from Suicide, Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement, 2019

Membership & Insurance

ANZACATA member.
International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT) member.
Insured by BMS.

Blog posts