A specific memory comes to
mind when I think about how I evolved into counseling. The women in my tiny village
would gather in the shade of an ackee or mango tree to talk about struggles in
the town. If they were standing children like myself, would we be sitting on a
hip or sitting in a lap as the women talked in length about how to support
another woman who is struggling or giving birth, who is going to market, and
what to get for those who cannot go?
My grandmother was the village healer. A very petite arrow Indian Woman who would deliver babies and go into nature to gather the medicine that we needed. She birthed 14 children. I lived on land that provided food, medicine, water, and 11 mango trees. Her husband, my grandfather, died at 35 years old when the 14th child was six months old. Of the 14 children, 3 were girls. My mother was in the middle of the three. My mother and father birthed six children. I am the second oldest. When I was six years old, after a hurricane, my parents immigrated to England and, as customary, left us with our grandmother and aunt while they settled and ended for us. My older sister and brother went first, then my younger brother, and years later, I went first, followed by my sister. One sister was born in England.
I watched my grandmother farm the land, climb onto trucks, and take her vegetables to market. She is small, strong, and powerful. She is disciplined with a strong arm.
Hi! I am Operine! Welcome! Have you been depressed, anxious, broken-hearted, or stuck in old behaviors and mindsets even when they no longer serve you and make you miserable? Hijacked by feelings without words and difficult to manage. You have often thought about counseling, but the idea has been overwhelming. You are ready to change but do not know where to start. You think you should have it all together but do not believe you do. You are not alone. I am here to help.
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor. I am taking to the counseling space over 30 years of counseling experiences, education, life experiences, and hopefully wisdom. I would work with various individuals and couples, providing culturally affirming counseling. I value compassion, safety, hope, and faith that as I walk with you, you will explore those areas where you may feel stuck, hurt, unmotivated, inadequate, unloved, unwanted, and unheard. Within a safe and confidential environment, with willingness and kindness, you can be empowered to find the door that opens your heart and expand your understanding of your inner journey to your true authentic self of non-judgment, strength, warmth, empathy, freedom, wisdom, kindness, and courage.
Education:
Nursing: Whipps Cross Hospital, England
Psychology BA: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
Psychology MA: Antioch University Seattle