AsD's Community Wellbeing Team

Greetings ASD Community,

I feel privileged to be ASD's new Director of Student Support Services and to provide leadership to a team of highly qualified Student Support Services educators inclusive of the Educational Psychologist, Counselors, EAL/Reading Specialists, and Learning Support Teachers. This role also carries the responsibility of acting as ASD's Child Protection Officer with oversight of all matters relating to child protection and safeguarding.

I am originally from Canada but grew up as a Third Culture Kid in Dubai, UAE. I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Calgary and my graduate degree in Counseling Psychology at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. I am a Registered Psychologist in the Province of Alberta, but have spent my entire career working in international schools in UAE, Indonesia, China, and Saudi Arabia.

I firmly believe in the words of the proverb that "It takes a village to raise a child." I am honored to be part of ASD's village and our mission to support the intellectual and personal of our students, inspiring them and empowering them to be positive, active global citizens.

Hello all!

This is my first year at ASD, with my family and I traveling from Perth, Western Australia (WA). Upon completing my Masters in Psychology at James Cook University in Queensland I returned to my home state of WA to pursue my career in Clinical Psychology. My professional engagement has primarily involved supporting families, adults, and children to manage emotional and perceptual difficulties.

When my eldest son Joshua started school, the opportunity to work amongst the excitement and energy of the school environment proved to be too irresistible. Within a few years, and with additional professional development, I began working at a local independent school as a counselor. I continued working with children and their families in two subsequent positions as an Educational Psychologist at other wonderful schools in WA. It is extremely rewarding to assist students with understanding their strengths, whilst also supporting areas of difficulties, within an educational setting. Over the past few years, I have managed a small company which engages and places psychologists within schools to offer essential support services to the community.

Despite enjoying the coastal life in Western Australia, my husband Nigel, an archaeologist, our two youngest boys and I made the decision to embark on an international adventure that leads us to Doha. We anticipate enjoying our time in Qatar, and I personally look forward to supporting our students and families at ASD.

In my free time, I love being with my family and visiting local sites. My two sons and I enjoy playing basketball, my husband and our boys play Australian Rules football, and of course, we all support the Fremantle Dockers AFL team in WA. I have been a scout leader for several years and as a result, our family has explored southern Western Australia while on numerous scout camps. So, until we meet on campus, from our family to yours, stay safe, and enjoy our virtual time together.