About Dawn
Transpersonal Psychotherapy & Counselling
My formal journey in Psychology began in Texas with a BSc in Psychology in 1996. I then lived in Thailand, West Africa, and Poland for 5 years, to discover what there was outside of my family-of-origin, christian religion, and north american culture. In particular, I was fascinated with the World Religions and expressions of spirituality that I encountered, as I searched for my own.
In Bangkok I taught English at a school within the grounds of Chitralada Palace - one of the residences of the King and Queen of Thailand - teaching elementary school children and tutoring the daughters of the princess of Thailand. In Guinea, West Africa, I lived two years in a small village with no water, electricity, or infrastructure, and was a Health Educator and Community Developer. I was exposed to the traditions and beliefs of Animism and Shamanism. In Poland I taught high school English, learned to speak Polish, and experienced the unique Catholicism of eastern Europe. During these 5 years I travelled extensively through many countries in West Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia.
Throughout this time, an Eating Disorder which had been lurking for several years erupted to its' fullness. I went into heavy treatment - hospitals, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nutritionists, individual and group therapy, and so on. I experienced what worked and what didn't. My yoga practice which had started in Poland in 1998 was central to the healing process. Amidst this, I married, had a child, and went back to school (MA in Counselling Psychology) with my passion for depth psychotherapy ignited and a mission to specialize in Eating Disorders. After working with several organizations and internships, I opened my private practice in 2004, and specialized in Eating Disorders for the first few years.
In 2008 I had a profound spiritual experience which drastically altered my life. By this time I had been practicing and teaching yoga for 10 years, and the context in which I held this experience was a Kundalini Awakening. Four years into the integration of this spiritual experience, I separated from a 12-year marriage, my then 10-yr old daughter stayed with me full-time, and I went back to school for a PhD in Counselling Psychology, specializing in Transpersonal Psychology, and deepening Jungian studies at ISAP (International School of Analytical Psychology) in Zurich, Switzerland. I shifted from specializing in Eating Disorders to specializing in Transpersonal and Jungian Psychology, and Dreamwork. I taught courses at UVIC, supervised MA-level counsellors, worked with EAPs, and treatment centres, but my primary dedication remained in private practice, where I currently work full-time.
The way I practice psychotherapy is most aligned with Transpersonal, Relational, and Jungian Psychologies. I am also trained in Narrative, CBT, EFT, Family Therapy, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Satir, Gestalt, Somatic and Attachment Therapies. I continually engage in professional development, supervision, and daily spiritual practice - essential cornerstones for providing you with reliable quality service, and clear presence.
In Bangkok I taught English at a school within the grounds of Chitralada Palace - one of the residences of the King and Queen of Thailand - teaching elementary school children and tutoring the daughters of the princess of Thailand. In Guinea, West Africa, I lived two years in a small village with no water, electricity, or infrastructure, and was a Health Educator and Community Developer. I was exposed to the traditions and beliefs of Animism and Shamanism. In Poland I taught high school English, learned to speak Polish, and experienced the unique Catholicism of eastern Europe. During these 5 years I travelled extensively through many countries in West Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia.
Throughout this time, an Eating Disorder which had been lurking for several years erupted to its' fullness. I went into heavy treatment - hospitals, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nutritionists, individual and group therapy, and so on. I experienced what worked and what didn't. My yoga practice which had started in Poland in 1998 was central to the healing process. Amidst this, I married, had a child, and went back to school (MA in Counselling Psychology) with my passion for depth psychotherapy ignited and a mission to specialize in Eating Disorders. After working with several organizations and internships, I opened my private practice in 2004, and specialized in Eating Disorders for the first few years.
In 2008 I had a profound spiritual experience which drastically altered my life. By this time I had been practicing and teaching yoga for 10 years, and the context in which I held this experience was a Kundalini Awakening. Four years into the integration of this spiritual experience, I separated from a 12-year marriage, my then 10-yr old daughter stayed with me full-time, and I went back to school for a PhD in Counselling Psychology, specializing in Transpersonal Psychology, and deepening Jungian studies at ISAP (International School of Analytical Psychology) in Zurich, Switzerland. I shifted from specializing in Eating Disorders to specializing in Transpersonal and Jungian Psychology, and Dreamwork. I taught courses at UVIC, supervised MA-level counsellors, worked with EAPs, and treatment centres, but my primary dedication remained in private practice, where I currently work full-time.
The way I practice psychotherapy is most aligned with Transpersonal, Relational, and Jungian Psychologies. I am also trained in Narrative, CBT, EFT, Family Therapy, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Satir, Gestalt, Somatic and Attachment Therapies. I continually engage in professional development, supervision, and daily spiritual practice - essential cornerstones for providing you with reliable quality service, and clear presence.
Yoga
I have been a yoga student, practitioner, and teacher since 1998 (and retired from teaching yoga in 2016). My first extensive teacher training was in Ashtanga, followed by Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga.
There is no substitute for the inner Guru - not through religion, Yoga style, or outer Guru. If someone leads you against your own conscience, they are leading you away from your Soul. A true Guru does not seek to gather a following, but rather leads you to your Inner Guru. Truth is Inclusive, and does not let rules and regulations trump the Heart and Essence of what Is. May we have compassion for ourselves and for All that Is. For it is in being led away from the Self that we also find the Self. |
Those who have influenced me on the path are much more than I can list below, but here are a few:
Teachers Nita Rubio, Brenda Jack, Peter Weltevrede, Sarah Powers, Angela Farmer & Victor van Kooten, Julie Henderson, Guru Shabd, Guru Dev Singh, Guru Dharam Khalsa, Shiva Rea, Snatam Kaur, Tej. Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Krista Novakowski, Devinder Kaur, Anodea Judith, Some Ashrams and Yoga Schools I've spent time with
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Mandalas
One of my favourite expressions of creativity is hand-drawing mandalas. Currently I am working with the Dash MahaVidyas, the Ten Wisdom Goddesses of the Tantric tradition. The Ten Wisdom Goddesses represent ten cosmic powers. As we meditate on and embody each of these Goddesses, we open up access to parts of ourselves that have been dormant, and strengthen aspects that we are naturally inclined towards.
Dash MahaVidya Dhumavati
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Dash MahaVidya Tripura Sundari - Sri Yantra
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Pelvic-Heart-Throat Integration
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Harvest
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Wholeness
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Morocco
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Shiva
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India
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Love
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Creative Force
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Healing
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Dash MahaVidya Matangi
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Harvest
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Virgo's Delight
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Root Assertion
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