My Story

My work is deeply personal — it’s shaped by my own experiences with family, loss, and the desire to create meaningful connections. I am also queer and trans-nonbinary, and my identity has taught me the importance of being seen for who we truly are, and supporting others in that similar journey. My services are a love letter to my grandparents, painting their legacies, one person at a time.

I was raised with a deep love for my family, especially my grandparents. I was a grandma’s kid through and through, and it breaks my heart that I never got to care for them in the way I now help my clients.

My maternal grandmother’s battle with dementia shaped my understanding of memory loss, and my paternal grandmother passed from cancer before I was even born. Living far from them meant I couldn’t be there in their final years, something I still grieve. These losses are some factors of what drives me to support families navigating similar challenges —because I know how hard it is to want to do more, but not always being able to.

I earned my Master’s in Occupational Therapy degree to work with people in finding love, joy, meaning, contentment in our daily lives, through activities, and occupational journeys, no matter the challenges. My background includes working with individuals with dementia, aging in place, neurodevelopmental disabilities, complex care needs; as well as organizations and people identifying as queer.

One of the most meaningful chapters of my career was my time at one of the last long-term, psychiatric institutional facilities in Canada, where I supported the transition of over a hundred residents from institutional care to community living through occupational therapy. That experience reinforced my belief in person-centered and community-centered care — honoring each individual's strengths, routines, and goals to improve their quality of life and the people that they love.

Bayanihan Therapy Services is built on the idea that healing happens best in occupational engagement, within a community. My approach blends evidence-based occupational therapy with somatic principles, recognizing how movement, whether small or expressive, can be a powerful tool for healing.

I believe therapy should be compassionate, empowering, and tailored to the unique needs of each person and family.

If you or your loved one needs support, know that you don’t have to navigate it alone. I’m here to walk this journey with you.