Designation and Experience
I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at St. Mary’s University, with the long-term goal of becoming a registered psychologist. My path in psychology has been shaped by a curiosity about why people think, feel, and behave the way they do, particularly when considering the many internal and external factors that influence development. I am especially interested in child and adolescent psychology, creative approaches such as art and play therapies, and the intersection between psychology and the court system. During my undergraduate degree, I completed an Honours thesis examining interoceptive sensibility and sustained attention. My research explored how awareness of internal bodily experiences may interact with attention and cognitive performance. This strengthened my interest in the complex relationship between our internal experiences and the way we engage with the world around us. Completing independent research also gave me a strong appreciation for evidence-based practice and taught me to approach psychological questions with curiosity, critical thinking, and an openness to complexity. Alongside my academic experience, working directly with children and youth in crisis care has been incredibly influential in shaping the psychologist I hope to become. Supporting young people through challenging and highly emotional circumstances has shown me the importance of meeting people where they are, recognizing the context surrounding their behaviour, and creating environments where they can feel safe, respected, and understood. At Eckert Centre, I bring these experiences into my administrative and technician responsibilities. I value being able to support the clinicians, children, adults, and families who come through the Centre while continuing to learn about psychological assessment, intervention, and individualized care. Being part of Eckert Centre allows me to contribute to work that genuinely aligns with why I chose psychology in the first place: understanding people more deeply and helping make difficult parts of their lives feel a little more manageable.
What inspires you?
What inspires me most about psychology is the opportunity to understand what may be happening beneath the surface. My research taught me how much of our internal experience is not immediately visible to others, while my experience working in crisis care has shown me how significantly a person’s environment, relationships, experiences, and sense of safety can shape the way they respond to the world. I find it incredibly meaningful to see someone begin to understand themselves differently and recognize that the challenges they are experiencing do not have to determine what comes next. Psychology can give people language for experiences they may not have understood before, while also providing practical tools to navigate them. The possibility of being part of that process, particularly for children and young people who are still developing their understanding of themselves, is what continues to inspire me to learn, ask questions, and pursue this field.
What are your proudest accomplishments?
One of my proudest accomplishments is completing my Honours degree and undergraduate research. Developing my thesis from an initial question into a completed research project challenged me academically and personally. It gave me the opportunity to explore an area of psychology that genuinely fascinated me while developing skills in research design, data analysis, critical thinking, and scientific writing. Seeing that work through from beginning to end strengthened my confidence as a researcher and reinforced my desire to continue my education in psychology. I am equally proud of my work supporting children and youth in crisis care. Being trusted to support young people during some of their most difficult moments is a responsibility I do not take lightly. This experience has taught me lessons about patience, empathy, resilience, communication, and human behaviour that cannot be learned entirely from a textbook. It has also reinforced the importance of looking beyond behaviour to understand the experiences and needs that may be influencing it. This work has played an important role in shaping the kind of psychologist I hope to become.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Outside of psychology, I am happiest when I can be creative or spend time outdoors. I love hiking and exploring the mountains, and I am always looking for an excuse to get outside and experience somewhere new. Being outdoors is one of my favourite ways to recharge and step away from the busyness of everyday life. Creativity is also a big part of who I am. I have always loved anything art related, particularly painting and writing. I also love reading and can easily lose an afternoon in a good book. My interest in creativity is one of the reasons I am so drawn to areas such as art and play therapies and the different ways people can express experiences that are sometimes difficult to put into words.
Why do you think people should choose Eckert Centre?
I think one of the most meaningful things about Eckert Centre is that there is no single definition of what support should look like. Every person who walks through the door brings a different history, personality, set of strengths, and reason for seeking help. The clinicians recognize that individuality and take the time to understand the person behind the concern rather than simply focusing on a diagnosis or challenge. Seeking psychological support can require an incredible amount of vulnerability, and Eckert Centre creates an environment where that vulnerability is met with compassion, curiosity, and professional expertise. Whether someone is seeking assessment, counselling, support for their child, or a better understanding of themselves, they are seen as a whole person. I think people should choose Eckert Centre because they can expect to be listened to without judgment and supported by professionals who genuinely care about helping them create meaningful and lasting change.
