About Ampersand
In this space, we don’t rush past pain to get to hope. We learn how to hold both.
I believe this work is sacred, holding space for the places where pain and hope meet, and where healing begins. I believe your life is still unfolding. There is always more to discover, more freedom to experience, and more of you to come home to. Your life isn’t a “.” It’s an “&”.
Meet Sydney.
There is something deeply sacred about counselling, and I hold with great care the privilege of being invited into your story. I would be truly honoured to walk alongside you through the messiness of life, making space for growth, self-discovery, and curiosity along the way.
I aim to create a space that feels safe, warm, and accepting where you can show up just as you are, without pressure or pretense. Drawing on a systemic and attachment-based lens, I offer an embodied approach where you can feel deeply seen, heard, and met.
To me, therapy is alive. Experiential and creative, quiet and reflective, expressive and unfolding. Your journey is uniquely yours.
I support clients navigating grief and loss, relationship challenges, life transitions, anxiety, depression, shame, burnout, chronic illness and health challenges, and trauma. I hold a special place in my heart for working with young adults and women as they reconnect with their voices and inherent worth. In addition, I support parents as they navigate concerns related to their children’s emotional, behavioural, and relational wellbeing, informed by extensive training and experience working with families.
EDUCATION & TRAININGAs part of my ongoing professional development, I have completed the following trainings:
Introduction to Neuroscience and the Satir Model in the Sand Tray Workshop, 2023
Transforming Trauma in the Sand Tray, 2023
Grief Group Facilitation Workshop, 2023
Introduction to Embodiment: Theory and Clinical Practice, 2022
Neufeld Institute Intensive Level 1: Making Sense of Kids, 2022
I remain committed to continuing my learning and deepening my practice so that I can offer care that is informed, compassionate, and attuned to the unique journey of each person I work with.
I hold a Master's degree in Couples and Family Therapy and have completed extensive graduate-level training in assessment, psychotherapy, and clinical practice.
Core Values
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We enter this work with deep compassion, softness, and care. There is no rush here. We move at a pace that honors your story, your nervous system, and your readiness. Gentleness is not a weakness… It's what allows real healing to unfold.
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We are curious together. Rather than assuming or fixing, we slow down and explore your experience side by side. You are the expert of your story, and we approach it with openness, respect, and a genuine desire to understand.
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We are committed to cultivating a space of genuine safety, where you feel welcomed, known, and accepted just as you are. Through warmth, consistency, and presence, we create an environment where your emotions have room to show up, move through, and be held.
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Healing happens in relationship. Many of our wounds were formed in moments of disconnection, and they begin to heal when we are no longer alone in them. Together, we work to gently undo aloneness by creating meaningful, attuned connection and offering new, corrective emotional experiences.
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We believe that you already carry an inherent capacity for healing. Even in the midst of pain, your system holds wisdom. Together, we work to untangle stories shaped by shame or survival and reconnect you with your own strength, resilience, and ability to grow.
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I believe your story lives in your whole being… body, mind, heart, and spirit. Your body holds experiences that words alone can’t always express, and it has so much to say. Together, we make space to listen, gently allowing emotions to move, be processed, and integrated into a deeper sense of wholeness.
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We believe your responses make sense given what you've been through. Trauma isn't only about painful events; it's also about what you needed and didn't receive. In our work together, we prioritize safety, choice, and consistency, creating the conditions where real healing can take root.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes! I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
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Yes, I provide virtual appointments for clients who prefer or need to meet online.
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It depends on your needs and goals. Many people start with weekly sessions and gradually move to bi-weekly or monthly as progress continues. We’ll work together to find a schedule that feels right for you.
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Yes. Confidentiality is a core part of therapy. The only exceptions are situations where there is a risk of harm to yourself or others, or when required by law (e.g., child abuse or a court order).
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During a free consultation, I share a bit about myself and my approach to therapy so you can see if it feels like a good fit. I also like to hear what’s bringing you to counselling and explore some of the “why” behind it… without needing to go into your full story. The goal is for both of us to get a sense of whether working together would be supportive and aligned with your needs.
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There’s no charge for appointments cancelled with at least 24 hours’ notice. Cancellations made within 24 hours, or missed appointments (no-shows), are subject to the full session fee.
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Many extended benefits plans cover counselling sessions provided by RCCs. Please confirm with your provider whether your plan covers RCC sessions and how much coverage is available each year.
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15-Minute Consultation - Free
Individual Therapy (50 Minute) - $165
Couples Therapy (50 Minute) - $200
Family Therapy (50 Minute) - $200
Parent Support Therapy (50 Minute) - $185