Hi, I’m Naomi —

I work with first responders and healthcare workers— firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, nurses, social workers, RT’s, police officers, and veterans — who know what it’s like to run toward emergencies while carrying the weight of the job long after the shift ends. But what about you? I get the culture, the pressure, and the unspoken rules of this work.

If you’re constantly putting others first, pushing through stress, or feeling the impact of the job in your home life, relationships, or daily routines, you’re not alone. I’ve worked alongside many first responders and frontline workers navigating trauma, burnout, and moral injury, and I know how isolating it can feel when no one truly “gets it.”

My approach is practical, grounded, and tailored to your life on and off the job. Together, we’ll process what you’ve experienced, build tools to manage stress, and help you reclaim balance — so you can show up for yourself as fully as you show up for everyone else.

Therapy with me might be a fit if you want support with…

  • Turning off the work brain

    Developing techniques to create mental boundaries, allowing you to disconnect and recharge outside of work hours.

  • Relationships & communication at home

    Strengthening connection and understanding with loved ones, even when stress or the job makes it hard to talk or be present.

  • Building inner knowledge & trust

    Learning to recognize your own needs, strengthen self-awareness, and trust your instincts both on and off the job.

  • Healing from trauma, guilt or moral injury

    Whether from past incidents or ongoing exposure. Processing calls that stay with you, addressing feelings of guilt or self-blame, and finding ways to carry the weight differently.

  • Finding relief from anxiety

    Cultivating self-regulation techniques and supporting your nervous system in high-stress situations.

  • Managing compassion fatigue & addressing burnout

    And restoring your sense of purpose and connection to your work and community.

  • Sleep & Rest

    Finding strategies to improve sleep and restore your body and mind, despite shift work, adrenaline, or racing thoughts.

  • Identity Beyond the Job

    Exploring who you are outside the uniform, and reclaiming the parts of yourself that may have been put on hold for the work.

Over time, it became clear just how limited the tailored support is for those in high-intensity roles like firefighting, paramedicine, policing, dispatch, and frontline healthcare. That realization sparked a commitment in me: to become the kind of support I saw so many of my colleagues and peers go without. My goal has been to help close the gap between mental health care and the unique culture, challenges, and values of first responders.

The nuts & bolts

I’m a Registered Social Worker (RSW #16268) in British Columbia with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work (Clinical Specialization) from UBC Okanagan.

In addition to my clinical work, I have a background as a paid-on-call (POC) firefighter, which has given me insight into the pressures, culture, and realities of first responder life. I also bring several years working in the emergency department, staying connected to frontline and first responder professionals and keeping my perspective on the work and its challenges grounded in real-world experience.

Therapy isn’t just about good intentions — it’s also about making sure the person you’re sitting with is trained, ethical, and prepared to support you in a meaningful way.

Training and Professional Development

I prioritize ongoing learning to ensure my work is informed by the latest evidence and best practices, particularly for supporting first responders and trauma-exposed populations. My specialized training includes:

  • Trauma-Focused ACT, July 2025

  • Assisting Individuals in Crisis & Group Crisis Intervention (CISM), June 2025

  • ERAC – Critical Incident Stress Management, May 2025

  • Advanced Training – EMDR for First Responders, April 2025

  • EMDR 2.0 Special Techniques, October 2024

  • EMDR 2.0: Enhancing EMDR Therapy, October 2024

  • CAPS-5 Training – Best practice method to diagnose PTSD by Suzy Matthijssen, July 2024

  • EMA First Responder License Issuance (Renewed) – License #: 150934, May 2021, June 2024, May 2027

  • Occupational Awareness Training: Understanding Fire Culture – First Responder Health, November 2023

  • EMDR Trained Clinician – EMDR Consulting, July 2023

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD, April 2023

  • Motivational Interviewing Strategies & Application (CCMI), April 2023

  • Serious Illness Conversation Workshop (CPD Faculty of Medicine, UBC), August 2022

  • Trauma-Informed Care Certificate (Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute), January 2022

  • SWKNAQINX Aboriginal Health Modules (Cultural Safety Curriculum), 2022

Each of these trainings equips me with practical tools and strategies to support clients navigating trauma, stress, burnout, and other challenges both on and off duty. My approach is grounded, evidence-informed, and shaped by ongoing learning to ensure the care I provide is effective, ethical, and relevant to the unique experiences of first responders.

Specialties

My approach

Direct, compassionate, and down-to-earth — blending evidence-based approaches with humour and real-world insight to help clients process trauma, manage stress, and build resilience.

I keep therapy real and straightforward — no fluff, no tiptoeing around the hard stuff — but I also make sure it’s relatable, warm, and even a little lighthearted when it fits. We’ll tackle challenges together, while leaving space for humour, relief, and genuine connection along the way.

I work with EMDR, ACT, and integrate parts work to explore the different sides of yourself, as well as bringing in somatic awareness to help you notice what your body is telling you.

Most importantly, I aim to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and able to be yourself — a place where the work we do together is meaningful, supportive, and tailored to you.

My story

Too Much, Now Just Right - Lagom

I’ve always been someone who shows up — sometimes too much. From a young age, I knew I’d end up in a helping role, so I pushed myself to meet every need, solve every problem, and stay “on top” of everything. That drive came with its own set of challenges: burnout, anxiety, depression, and the constant pull to put everyone else first.

Learning to notice my own limits, check in with my body, and set boundaries has been a journey — one filled with mistakes, insights, and a lot of self-discovery.

My experience, combined with training in EMDR, ACT, parts work, and somatic approaches, allows me to meet clients where they are, and help them navigate stress, trauma, and life’s pressures with honesty, practicality, and even a bit of humour.

Now, I work with people who’ve been running themselves ragged, helping them reconnect with themselves, set boundaries, and show up fully — without losing who they are in the process.

Individual 50-Minute Session (In person or virtual)

$150

Individual 80-Minute Session (In person or virtual)

$225

I am able to direct bill a number of insurance providers. I also accept e-transfer.

If you have questions about if I am able to direct bill to your provider - please reach out!

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps the brain deal with trauma.

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a therapy designed to help people heal from distressing memories and experiences that may feel "stuck." When something deeply upsetting happens, your brain might not process it properly, leaving you feeling like you're reliving it whenever something reminds you of it.

During EMDR, we work to focus on a specific upsetting memory while guiding you through a series of eye movements, taps, or sounds. This back-and-forth motion (called bilateral stimulation) helps your brain "reprocess" the memory, so it feels less intense and loses its grip over time.

Think of it like organizing a messy filing cabinet. Right now, the upsetting memory is like a loose paper on the desk, always in your way. EMDR helps file it away properly—still there, but no longer disrupting your life. It doesn’t erase the memory; it helps you feel calmer and more in control when you think about it.

Throughout these steps, you’re always in the driver’s seat, and I’m here to guide and support you. The process may feel intense at times, but it’s designed to leave you feeling lighter, more in control, and less impacted by the memory over time.

This 10-minute video from the International Association explains how EMDR works, what to expect during a session, and how most people feel after completing the treatment.