About me.

Hi, I’m Ana. I’m passionate about supporting my clients’ emotional and mental health as they navigate through stress, burnout, and overwhelm.

We work together to determine what the best work-life balance looks like for you. As the owner and principal counselor of Rebellious Joy Counselling, my passion as a Registered Social Work Therapist and Coach is to empower you to become the best version of yourself. Working together, I walk alongside you on your healing journey.

Like many of you, I have faced challenges. Some of those challenges include anxiety, burnout, and overwhelm. Being a healthcare professional in both the medical and community services field, caregiver to my elderly parents for the better part of 12 years, seeing them through their end-of-life journey, having a son enter university, and moving to a new town, all these transitions and moments of life found me neglecting my needs and added to my lost sense of self. When I paused, took a deep breath, looked around, and accepted how life unfolded, I regained my sense of balance and began feeling joy again. Developing the necessary coping skills and strategies, building a mindfulness practice, and learning self-acceptance, and self-compassion have been instrumental in finding my way back.

I hope you stop putting the needs of others above your own, and make yourself a priority.

I will teach you practical coping skills and real-life strategies personalized to you.

I hope to inspire you to explore new possibilities and embrace curiosity and adventure.

I will give you a different viewpoint and perspective on aging and midlife transitions.

Together we will challenge societal norms of how it looks to live our best life and how aging is seen. You will have the safe space to rethink your path and priorities and make decisions that are right for you.

Our services will catalyze your journey in cultivating resilience and inspiring growth for you.

I will be your support and go-to resource, as you navigate your healing journey. You are not alone.

I hope you extend yourself grace and compassion as you navigate uncharted territories.

I hope you keep your promises to yourself, honour your life story, and change your life as you see fit.

And without a doubt….

You will become….UNSTOPPABLE.

As a therapist, I use various therapeutic tools specifically tailored to your needs that include: narrative therapy, art journaling, soul collage, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, mindfulness-based self-compassion, solution-focused brief therapy & deep meditative spiritual work to support your emotional and mental well-being.

Published Author

Ana was a featured Co-Author in Expert Women Who Speak, Speak Out Volume 6. Her Chapter on “Balance, Your Life, Your Way” resonated with many readers who were looking for balance as new moms and business owners.

3-Day Hike for Mental Health Awareness

Self-Initiated ‘These Boots Were Made for Hiking’ 3-day hike for mental health awareness, with proceeds going to Partners for Mental Health.

Featured Presenter & Speaker

Ana is a charismatic presenter who has presented webinars on Capturing Memories: Life Books, how to maintain life balance amid life stressors, and career topics.

Our Specialties

Stress Management

We will work with you to create a personalized plan to help you manage your stress and feel joy.

Burnout Strategies

Our goal is to provide you with real-life, workable strategies that you can implement for your life from the get-go.

Depression, Anxiety & ADHD

These three tend to flock together. We work together to address the various ways depression, anxiety, and ADHD have affected your life. Through ongoing coaching support that complements 1:1 counselling sessions, the focus is to develop a workable plan that is personalized to your specific challenges.

Life Transitions

Life and changes. Sometimes it just becomes too much to handle. We are here to support you, guide you, and provide that safe space to determine your next steps.

Grief Counselling

Grief and loss. Using nature therapy (we refer to it as let’s ‘walk & talk’), narrative therapy, and mindfulness practices we walk you through your grief journey.

1:1 Midlife Coaching

Midlife. Enough said. This is when life looks you in the eye and lets you know, it’s now or never. And that can be unnerving. Let’s talk about how to make your second act of your life, the best that is yet to be.

15+

Years of Experience

Ana was a successful career coach/resume writer for over 10 years before organically transitioning into social work 5 years ago. Ana brings the wisdom of her life journey, and academic knowledge as a Registered Social Worker together to bring you the skillsets you need to help navigate your next steps.