For more than over a decade, I’ve had the privilege of supporting others in non-profit, healthcare and private practice settings. Some of these experiences include working alongside people who have had experiences with homelessness, poverty, substance use, mental illness, intimate partner violence, chronic health conditions and end of life care. A significant amount of this work has been during my time in the Downtown Eastside (DTES), a community close to my heart. They have not only influenced the way I practice as a therapist, though, also my overall perspective on life.

This has highlighted for me that despite our social locations, we all have a universal need for belonging.

My experiences have also motivated me to help find my own voice and become my biggest advocate in predominantly white spaces. From this, I strive to ensure that the voices of BIPOC and those who experience marginalization are centered and amplified.

Self-compassion, transparency, empowerment and community care are core values in both my personal and professional life, and are aspects that influenced the meaning behind the name Intrinsic Roots Therapy.

Sometimes we can feel lost and disconnected from ourselves and as a person of colour, we’re often told to return to our roots. Part of this for me has been embracing my South Asian descent and my family’s country of origin, Fiji.

Outside of work, I love listening to 90’s R&B, finding moments to slowly sip my coffee, being a Vancouverite foodie, living on vacation mode, and spending time with my pup and loved ones.