My Background
I bring nearly 30 years of first responder experience, primarily in emergency medical services as an Advanced Care Paramedic, along with nine years as a 911 call-taker and dispatcher. I’ve spent much of my career in high-pressure environments where steady presence and clear thinking matter. Early on, I completed my paramedic practicum with the Fort McMurray Fire Department, an integrated Fire & EMS service, and spent a year as a volunteer firefighter at a rural fire service. While my career has been rooted in EMS, these experiences have given me a well-rounded understanding of first responder culture and an appreciation for other first-responder agencies. I understand firsthand the cumulative impact this work can have—and the importance of having a space where you don’t have to carry it alone.
I am unable to offer counselling for dispatchers in the Kamloops Dispatch Operations Centre (KDOC) or to paramedics who are dispatched from KDOC, as this would constitute a dual relationship, as I still work in KDOC.
Individual Counselling
Do you find yourself hypervigilant? Do everyday activities now seem so much more hazardous? Does shift work and the nature of the job make it hard for you to get enough sleep? You’ve tried several times to seek mental help, and your career continues to retraumatize you, and you see old patterns resurfacing. Do you feel like you can’t see an end in sight? Do you miss the person that you were before entering your first-responder agency? If the answer is “yes” to any of those questions, please believe that there is hope. Many have found tools that have provided the grounding to continue with life’s challenges.
I provide trauma-informed counselling tailored specifically for first responders. Drawing on both professional training and lived experience, I understand the cumulative impact of critical incidents, operational stress, and the culture of staying “switched on.” My approach integrates evidence-based therapies to help process traumatic experiences, reduce symptoms, and restore a sense of control and connection, both on the job and at home. This is a space where you can speak openly, without needing to filter or explain the realities of the work.
Critical Incident
Stress Debriefing
In addition to individual counselling, I am developing procedures to offer Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) services to first-responder agencies, with a particular focus on small- to mid-sized fire departments and EMS organizations. I have formal training and operational experience in CISM and currently serve within an established peer support framework, giving me a practical understanding of how to deliver timely, appropriate support following critical incidents.
These services will be structured into flexible packages based on the size and needs of your department, including pre-incident education, defusing, debriefing, and follow-up support. While I will not duplicate services where robust internal CISM programs already exist, I aim to come alongside departments that may not have consistent access to these resources.
To register your interest in partnering with me and to learn more about how CISM services can be tailored to your organization, please reach out to discuss your department’s specific needs.
