About Connor
I introduce myself from Vancouver (the traditional Coast Salish territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples) where I have lived for over ten years after immigrating from the United States. Vancouver is where I have found both my chosen family as well as a deep, healing connection to nature.
I was originally drawn to social work after receiving services as a queer youth and becoming involved in grass-roots queer activism in my adolescence. From those experiences, social justice has become a core value in my life and I try my best to always continue to grow my world view to be more accountable, more reparative, and more affirmative for people who have experienced oppression.
Outside of my practice, I enjoy old movies, thrifting (with milk tea), reading sci-fi, runs/bike rides, and epic beach days.
I identify as non-binary and use both he/him/his and they/them/theirs pronouns.
Experience
I have worked in many roles over the last 15 years as a frontline worker/social worker, including work with youth experiencing homelessness and in the foster care system, survivors of intimate partner violence, and queer community members. The majority of my work experience, however, has been with people struggling with their mental health. I have worked in all levels of mental health care, from non-clinical community programs to outpatient clinics to inpatient hospital units.
I received my Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) from the University of Vermont and Masters of Social Work (MSW) from the University of British Columbia. I hold registrations as both an RCSW* and an RCC** in British Columbia as well as an RSW*** in Ontario (for virtual practice only). Alongside my private practice, I work in public health care. Additionally, I serve as a Clinical Instructor with the UBC Faculty of Medicine (Dept. of Psychiatry) as well as a guest presenter with the UBC School of Social Work on the topics of CBT, DBT, group therapy, mental health assessment, and suicidality and safety planning.
I have specific professional training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Informed Therapy, Solutions-Focused Brief Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), Narrative Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I also have engaged in extensive personal training of experiential mindfulness techniques such as vipassana meditation (insight-oriented), samatha meditation (relaxation-oriented), metta meditation (compassion-oriented), and contemplative practices (connection-oriented) that I utilize in my counselling practice.
*Registered Clinical Social Worker, BC College of Social Workers, Registration #13137
** Registered Clinical Counselor, BC Association of Clinical Counselors, Registration #18868
***Registered Social Worker, ON College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Registration #862147