VERONICA'S BACKSTORY...

After more than 25 years as a full-time Social Worker/Psychotherapist in very busy youth agencies, crisis centres, hospitals, and employee/family assistance counselling programs, I decided to slow down a little and open my private practice -- a dream I have had for some time...

After acquiring my Bachelor of Social work in 1991, I accepted my first counselling job in a group home for pregnant and homeless teenagers.

These spirited and challenging youth, wary of adults because of traumatic childhoods, rightfully insisted I earn their respect before they'd even consider -- let along trust -- my scholastic knowledge and helpful intentions.

They collectively taught me the most valuable lesson I needed to internalize as a new therapist:

People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

Through a profoundly attuned, genuinely caring connection devoid of judgement and shame, people are motivated to do the work they need to do to heal and change.