Our Clinicians

“When I was in my last year of High School (way back in 1985), I was faced with the question: what would I do with my life? What kind of work would help to define who I was? I had no idea. I knew that I was probably going to go on with my education, but I had no idea what I was going to study. Nobody in my family had ever gone to College or University. Nobody in my family could tell me what I should – or could – do with my future. So, I went to my school Guidance Counsellor. I told him about my situation. I said to him that I knew I was not primarily interested in money: so not Business. I also did not think I wanted to go into Medicine, although I did want to do something that would be meaningful. I thought that doing something that I would like to do something that would help others, but I knew that I did not want to go into Medicine (I was smart, but I did not think I was that smart). So, I asked the Guidance Counsellor for… some guidance. Unfortunately, I got none; he kept asking what I thought I would like, or what I thought I should do. I had no idea and no idea about how to figure it out. I left that office as clueless as I was going in. In the Guidance Counsellors waiting room, there was a poster “the 20 most in-demand professions in the next 20 years”. It was lots of computer and engineering stuff – not my area of strength – and then, at number 20, “Clinical Psychologist.” Suddenly, like a flash, everything clicked into place. I was someone people tended to feel comfortable with; I was a good listener. I cared about people, and I understood what it was like to have a hard time in life. At that moment, my life had a direction, and I have been following it ever since.”

“When I was in my last year of High School (way back in 1985), I was faced with the question: what would I do with my life? What kind of work would help to define who I was? I had no idea. I knew that I was probably going to go on with my education, but I had no idea what I was going to study. Nobody in my family had ever gone to College or University. Nobody in my family could tell me what I should – or could – do with my future.

So, I went to my school Guidance Counsellor. I told him about my situation. I said to him that I knew I was not primarily interested in money: so not Business. I also did not think I wanted to go into Medicine, although I did want to do something that would be meaningful. I thought that doing something that I would like to do something that would help others, but I knew that I did not want to go into Medicine (I was smart, but I did not think I was that smart). So, I asked the Guidance Counsellor for… some guidance. Unfortunately, I got none; he kept asking what I thought I would like, or what I thought I should do. I had no idea and no idea about how to figure it out. I left that office as clueless as I was going in.

In the Guidance Counsellors waiting room, there was a poster “the 20 most in-demand professions in the next 20 years”. It was lots of computer and engineering stuff – not my area of strength – and then, at number 20, “Clinical Psychologist.” Suddenly, like a flash, everything clicked into place. I was someone people tended to feel comfortable with; I was a good listener. I cared about people, and I understood what it was like to have a hard time in life. At that moment, my life had a direction, and I have been following it ever since.”

“When I was in my last year of High School (way back in 1985), I was faced with the question: what would I do with my life? What kind of work would help to define who I was? I had no idea. I knew that I was probably going to go on with my education, but I had no idea what I was going to study. Nobody in my family had ever gone to College or University. Nobody in my family could tell me what I should – or could – do with my future.

So, I went to my school Guidance Counsellor. I told him about my situation. I said to him that I knew I was not primarily interested in money: so not Business. I also did not think I wanted to go into Medicine, although I did want to do something that would be meaningful. I thought that doing something that I would like to do something that would help others, but I knew that I did not want to go into Medicine (I was smart, but I did not think I was that smart). So, I asked the Guidance Counsellor for… some guidance. Unfortunately, I got none; he kept asking what I thought I would like, or what I thought I should do. I had no idea and no idea about how to figure it out. I left that office as clueless as I was going in.

In the Guidance Counsellors waiting room, there was a poster “the 20 most in-demand professions in the next 20 years”. It was lots of computer and engineering stuff – not my area of strength – and then, at number 20, “Clinical Psychologist.” Suddenly, like a flash, everything clicked into place. I was someone people tended to feel comfortable with; I was a good listener. I cared about people, and I understood what it was like to have a hard time in life. At that moment, my life had a direction, and I have been following it ever since.”

“I was born and raised in Thunder Bay and always knew that I wanted to give back to my community. Having a career in the mental health field affords me that opportunity. As a Psychologist at Sullivan + Associates Clinical Psychology, I have the privilege of meeting and connecting with a wide range of people and listening to their stories. I also can share my knowledge and experience of evidence-based intervention with others.

Moreover, I enjoy working and collaborating with like-minded professionals in reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues. Being a mental health professional is a challenging yet rewarding profession that inspires me to be the best version of myself and to continue the path of lifelong learning.”

“When I was in my last year of High School (way back in 1985), I was faced with the question: what would I do with my life? What kind of work would help to define who I was? I had no idea. I knew that I was probably going to go on with my education, but I had no idea what I was going to study. Nobody in my family had ever gone to College or University. Nobody in my family could tell me what I should – or could – do with my future.

So, I went to my school Guidance Counsellor. I told him about my situation. I said to him that I knew I was not primarily interested in money: so not Business. I also did not think I wanted to go into Medicine, although I did want to do something that would be meaningful. I thought that doing something that I would like to do something that would help others, but I knew that I did not want to go into Medicine (I was smart, but I did not think I was that smart). So, I asked the Guidance Counsellor for… some guidance. Unfortunately, I got none; he kept asking what I thought I would like, or what I thought I should do. I had no idea and no idea about how to figure it out. I left that office as clueless as I was going in.

In the Guidance Counsellors waiting room, there was a poster “the 20 most in-demand professions in the next 20 years”. It was lots of computer and engineering stuff – not my area of strength – and then, at number 20, “Clinical Psychologist.” Suddenly, like a flash, everything clicked into place. I was someone people tended to feel comfortable with; I was a good listener. I cared about people, and I understood what it was like to have a hard time in life. At that moment, my life had a direction, and I have been following it ever since.”

“As humans, we live and grow in an imperfect world. Many, if not most of us, were not born into environments that ensured we were optimally nurtured, loved and encouraged to become healthy and resilient adults. Whether it was through the negative messages we received from others or unexpected and uncontrollable events and traumas that have happened to us, we are continually shaped, for better or worse, by the world we experience and the messages we receive from the time we are born. Such is the nature of living and being human.

On the other hand, humans are a wonderfully resilient species. Each one of us has the potential to live the best life we can, in a full and meaningful way, despite our past or current challenges. Sometimes, the help of a professional can be an invaluable resource that can help us to move forward, particularly when we find ourselves stuck or going through challenging times. Because I have come to learn this personally, I was drawn to a field that does just that. An area that focuses on helping individuals’ find the self-understanding, the self-compassion, the flexibility, and the tools within themselves to achieve the best life they can live. I am thrilled to have that privilege of doing so in my practice as a Psychological Associate with Sullivan + Associates Clinical Psychology.”

“I always had a fascination with the way our mind works. I was an optimistic believer that if we could truly harness the power of our minds, then we could overcome almost anything. Perhaps this thinking was a bit naive, but the underlying truth is that this principle is one of the foundations of cognitive therapy; changing your thinking to effect a change to your moods or behaviours. The complex interactions between our thoughts and behaviours never cease to amaze.

The addictions field has also been a bewildering topic worthy of long-term study. I found it difficult to understand how it comes to pass that; a person can start by engaging in behaviour to seek pleasure and then be unable to discontinue using despite the ongoing infliction of harm. Furthermore, many other conditions (i.e., PTSD, ADHD, depression, anxiety), which are far too commonplace, continue to ravage society. The need for psychotherapy treatments is omnipresent, and I know of no better way to earn a living than working at a job where it pays to help others.”

“When I was in my last year of High School (way back in 1985), I was faced with the question: what would I do with my life? What kind of work would help to define who I was? I had no idea. I knew that I was probably going to go on with my education, but I had no idea what I was going to study. Nobody in my family had ever gone to College or University. Nobody in my family could tell me what I should – or could – do with my future.

So, I went to my school Guidance Counsellor. I told him about my situation. I said to him that I knew I was not primarily interested in money: so not Business. I also did not think I wanted to go into Medicine, although I did want to do something that would be meaningful. I thought that doing something that I would like to do something that would help others, but I knew that I did not want to go into Medicine (I was smart, but I did not think I was that smart). So, I asked the Guidance Counsellor for… some guidance. Unfortunately, I got none; he kept asking what I thought I would like, or what I thought I should do. I had no idea and no idea about how to figure it out. I left that office as clueless as I was going in.

In the Guidance Counsellors waiting room, there was a poster “the 20 most in-demand professions in the next 20 years”. It was lots of computer and engineering stuff – not my area of strength – and then, at number 20, “Clinical Psychologist.” Suddenly, like a flash, everything clicked into place. I was someone people tended to feel comfortable with; I was a good listener. I cared about people, and I understood what it was like to have a hard time in life. At that moment, my life had a direction, and I have been following it ever since.”

“My first placement when completing my Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology was working with young children, and it was at that point that I developed an interest in dealing with this demographic. Sullivan + Associates has provided me with the opportunity to continue to work with this population.

Working in the mental health field allows me to meet new people, learn about their unique stories, and work together to help them overcome whatever challenges they may be facing. The most rewarding part of my job is watching my clients develop the skills to work through, and overcome their struggles.”

“When I was in my last year of High School (way back in 1985), I was faced with the question: what would I do with my life? What kind of work would help to define who I was? I had no idea. I knew that I was probably going to go on with my education, but I had no idea what I was going to study. Nobody in my family had ever gone to College or University. Nobody in my family could tell me what I should – or could – do with my future.

So, I went to my school Guidance Counsellor. I told him about my situation. I said to him that I knew I was not primarily interested in money: so not Business. I also did not think I wanted to go into Medicine, although I did want to do something that would be meaningful. I thought that doing something that I would like to do something that would help others, but I knew that I did not want to go into Medicine (I was smart, but I did not think I was that smart). So, I asked the Guidance Counsellor for… some guidance. Unfortunately, I got none; he kept asking what I thought I would like, or what I thought I should do. I had no idea and no idea about how to figure it out. I left that office as clueless as I was going in.

In the Guidance Counsellors waiting room, there was a poster “the 20 most in-demand professions in the next 20 years”. It was lots of computer and engineering stuff – not my area of strength – and then, at number 20, “Clinical Psychologist.” Suddenly, like a flash, everything clicked into place. I was someone people tended to feel comfortable with; I was a good listener. I cared about people, and I understood what it was like to have a hard time in life. At that moment, my life had a direction, and I have been following it ever since.”

“The path to mental health, for me, wound its way through the Humanities. Since childhood, I have had an intense curiosity about the world, always reading and learning. In high school, I loved History, Origins of Culture and, most of all, English literature. These courses gave me some insight into why people do what they do and paved the way to study Psychology in University.

Another element was growing up in a large family. Being the eldest of six children, I learned a sense of responsibility. I also heard about how my parents’ and grandparents’ generation coped with the extreme challenges and trauma caused by political oppression and displacement during World War II. This showed me that the human capacity for resilience, innovation and problem solving, and the human spirit is powerful things. So helping people seemed a natural outgrowth of these factors.

How we interact with and make sense of the world and ourselves continues to fascinate me, but what keeps me in mental health are the people. I try to meet clients where they are, grasp their worldview, help them to enhance their strengths and always to fan the sparks of hope. It is a most rewarding way to make a living and, I hope, to make a difference.”

“I first sought help when I was 19 years old, and my sincere appreciation of the inestimable value of the therapeutic relationship was born.

Many decades have passed. I have learned a great deal about delivering effective psychotherapy, but nothing more important than this: within safe, accepting surroundings, people willing to commit to change can experience a deeper understanding of themselves and, for those who want it, extensive personal growth.

Within these surroundings, people who are interested in conceptualizing their situations and interpretations as a means of understanding their lives in a new, more healthily manner. I have personally experienced this kind of change, and I have joyfully witnessed this kind of change in those I have helped.

Helping motivated people change, to live the lives they deserve, is why I am working in the Mental Health field.”

“When I was in my last year of High School (way back in 1985), I was faced with the question: what would I do with my life? What kind of work would help to define who I was? I had no idea. I knew that I was probably going to go on with my education, but I had no idea what I was going to study. Nobody in my family had ever gone to College or University. Nobody in my family could tell me what I should – or could – do with my future.

So, I went to my school Guidance Counsellor. I told him about my situation. I said to him that I knew I was not primarily interested in money: so not Business. I also did not think I wanted to go into Medicine, although I did want to do something that would be meaningful. I thought that doing something that I would like to do something that would help others, but I knew that I did not want to go into Medicine (I was smart, but I did not think I was that smart). So, I asked the Guidance Counsellor for… some guidance. Unfortunately, I got none; he kept asking what I thought I would like, or what I thought I should do. I had no idea and no idea about how to figure it out. I left that office as clueless as I was going in.

In the Guidance Counsellors waiting room, there was a poster “the 20 most in-demand professions in the next 20 years”. It was lots of computer and engineering stuff – not my area of strength – and then, at number 20, “Clinical Psychologist.” Suddenly, like a flash, everything clicked into place. I was someone people tended to feel comfortable with; I was a good listener. I cared about people, and I understood what it was like to have a hard time in life. At that moment, my life had a direction, and I have been following it ever since.”

“When I reflect on what has drawn me to the mental health field, I believe that journey started a very long time ago. From a young age, I learned the impact one person could have on your life. For me at that time, it was a teacher who continuously believed in me and supported me through difficult times. Throughout my life, I was fortunate enough to have a few different individuals come into my life who would fill or take over that role.

As I got older, various complex social problems touched my life. I found myself not only wanting to study and understand the causes but also the impact these problems have on mental health. Throughout my higher education journey, I found myself continuing to reflect on those monumental individuals in my life who helped me get to where I was and how vital that genuine human connection was. I found that the research persisted in pointing to the same thing, that having meaningful connections with others was a significant predictor of happiness and improved mental health.

Finding myself now in a position where I get the honour of connecting with others for a living is the most fulfilling job I can imagine having. Being able to support others through their journey is something I am immensely grateful for, along with the people who helped me get here.”

“When I was in my last year of High School (way back in 1985), I was faced with the question: what would I do with my life? What kind of work would help to define who I was? I had no idea. I knew that I was probably going to go on with my education, but I had no idea what I was going to study. Nobody in my family had ever gone to College or University. Nobody in my family could tell me what I should – or could – do with my future.

So, I went to my school Guidance Counsellor. I told him about my situation. I said to him that I knew I was not primarily interested in money: so not Business. I also did not think I wanted to go into Medicine, although I did want to do something that would be meaningful. I thought that doing something that I would like to do something that would help others, but I knew that I did not want to go into Medicine (I was smart, but I did not think I was that smart). So, I asked the Guidance Counsellor for… some guidance. Unfortunately, I got none; he kept asking what I thought I would like, or what I thought I should do. I had no idea and no idea about how to figure it out. I left that office as clueless as I was going in.

In the Guidance Counsellors waiting room, there was a poster “the 20 most in-demand professions in the next 20 years”. It was lots of computer and engineering stuff – not my area of strength – and then, at number 20, “Clinical Psychologist.” Suddenly, like a flash, everything clicked into place. I was someone people tended to feel comfortable with; I was a good listener. I cared about people, and I understood what it was like to have a hard time in life. At that moment, my life had a direction, and I have been following it ever since.”

“When I was in my last year of High School (way back in 1985), I was faced with the question: what would I do with my life? What kind of work would help to define who I was? I had no idea. I knew that I was probably going to go on with my education, but I had no idea what I was going to study. Nobody in my family had ever gone to College or University. Nobody in my family could tell me what I should – or could – do with my future.

So, I went to my school Guidance Counsellor. I told him about my situation. I said to him that I knew I was not primarily interested in money: so not Business. I also did not think I wanted to go into Medicine, although I did want to do something that would be meaningful. I thought that doing something that I would like to do something that would help others, but I knew that I did not want to go into Medicine (I was smart, but I did not think I was that smart). So, I asked the Guidance Counsellor for… some guidance. Unfortunately, I got none; he kept asking what I thought I would like, or what I thought I should do. I had no idea and no idea about how to figure it out. I left that office as clueless as I was going in.

In the Guidance Counsellors waiting room, there was a poster “the 20 most in-demand professions in the next 20 years”. It was lots of computer and engineering stuff – not my area of strength – and then, at number 20, “Clinical Psychologist.” Suddenly, like a flash, everything clicked into place. I was someone people tended to feel comfortable with; I was a good listener. I cared about people, and I understood what it was like to have a hard time in life. At that moment, my life had a direction, and I have been following it ever since.”

“I joined the field of social work because of my love of helping others. I am a very compassionate and empathetic person and genuinely feel that it is an honour to witness someone else’s story and assist along their healing journey.

I think it’s important to recognize that we all have mental health, just like we all have physical health. I am passionate about providing counselling services and believe that there is power in a supportive, encouraging, and therapeutic relationship.”

“I am often asked why I got into the mental health field. The answer is both simple and complex. I got into this field because I have a genuine passion for helping people: a passion that stems from my own personal experiences, which have helped me truly empathize with my clients. I have been in their shoes.

I have lived through, and overcome, some incredible challenges in my life. I grew up in a home with one younger sibling and a parent who struggled with mental health and addictions issues. I slipped through the cracks and suffered years of abuse and neglect. Because of my troubled home life, I carried a great deal of anger with me into my teen years. By age 16, I had dropped out of school and found myself living on the streets of Toronto, without much hope of turning my life around.

However, it was during this time that I met a person, a counsellor, who would change the course of my life. I was truly moved by the lengths to which he went to try to help me, even when I didn’t want to help myself. After nearly a year working with this counsellor, I had healed some deep emotional wounds and felt strong enough to return home and to make some positive changes in my life.

One of the most significant changes was my decision to go back to school. I entered Lakehead University as a mature student, earned an Honours Bachelor of Social Work degree, and promptly found a job as an Adult Mental Health Worker. It was at this moment that I knew this is where I belonged. As a counsellor myself, I now understood the motivation of the counsellor who had helped me years ago in Toronto.

I went on to earn my Masters of Social Work degree and to take on new challenges as a mental health counsellor. I can honestly say that I find this work incredibly fulfilling. After all, I know firsthand, the positive impact that a counsellor can have on a person. This is what I was meant to do.“