Why Did I Become a Psychologist?

I'm often asked this question and therefore I'll share a bit about myself.

My professional journey has taken me from the body-exercise sciences (Kinesiology), to the body-rehabilitation sciences (Physical Therapy), to a career as a Firefighter, and finally through to the mind-body healing sciences as a Psychologist.

The main catalyst for this journey into psychology began when I experienced the cumulative effects of life stress while working as a Physical Therapist and before my career as a Firefighter.

My inability to deal with significant life stressors led me to a dark period of my life where I was quickly diagnosed (by a Psychiatrist) with a major depressive disorder (MDD) and a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) with severe panic attacks.

Although I had much training in the body sciences, I had very little training in the area of psychology and the physician who diagnosed me only understood drug-therapy.

During this humbling time of self-discovery I learned how these life events were a time for personal growth, to show me what I needed to work on in areas of acceptance and forgiveness. It also opened my eyes to the over prescription of medications to numb the problem, instead of embarking on a journey of self-discovery to find the source of the problem.

Over the next ten years I worked for the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) in various roles. This dynamic career further opened my eyes to see how so many people suffer from cumulative stress that can result in depression, anxiety, and my other stress-related disorders.

My Career as a Firefighter

During my career as a Firefighter I spent most of my career in the downtown core on the trucks and spent time working on the High Angle Rescue team. I also trained Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) to support my peers and also traineed as a Fire Safety Codes Officer and Fire Investigator.

During my career I struggled with significant spinal injuries, post-concussion syndrome, major hip and shoulder surgeries, and an unexpected diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). With most allopathic doctors forecasting a future of disabilities and fear, I took matters into my own hands and decided to change careers again to undertook my training to become a psychologist. My residency was located in Calgary.

My journey has repeatedly taught me how the power of the mind (our beliefs and perceptions) can heal far more than what our current medical-model suggests is possible. Many specialists rooted in the older biochemical sciences are simply uninformed and base their opinions within an outdated science that suggest we only have a biochemical/physical system. If the mind/body systems are not working in harmony together, a person will often feel dis-ease. Cumulative dis-ease often manifests in the body as disease.