Who am I?

Hello! I’m Lisa  (she/her), the heart behind Immortal Endings YEG of course ! But who am I and how did I get here ??? I didn’t land here by accident this is the result of decades of working in the human services field ion Alberta and NWT then making the decision, at 47 years old, to return to school so I could finally create a practice that reflects what I know to be true. Healing doesn’t happen inside a box.

For over 20 years, I worked on the frontlines of mental health, addictions, homelessness, and community support. I’ve sat with people in their hardest moments, listened to stories the world didn’t want to hear, and walked with many through their final days. Through it all, I learned a truth that drives me still: every person matters. Every story matters. They were somebody’s someone before they became everybody’s forgotten someone.

My own life has been shaped by experiences that pushed me to understand pain, resilience, and growth in real and personal ways. I have lived through addiction in my family, traumatic close losses, and the trauma of abusive relationships. I know the challenges of being both an adoptive and single mother, and I navigate my own journey with progressive MS. These experiences aren’t just part of my past they shape the compassion, strength, and honesty I bring to the work I do today.

That’s why my approach is different. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model of therapy. With me, you won’t find a rigid structure or a demand that you fit neatly into a treatment plan. Instead, I meet you exactly where you are. I want our sessions to feel less like therapy in the traditional sense and more like sitting down with someone you trust safe, real, unfiltered, and human. Growth comes from honesty, from being seen as you are, and from building forward in a way that feels right for you.

I am especially committed to working with those who are too often pushed to the margins. That includes individuals struggling with stigma, systemic barriers, and those within the LGBTQ2SA+ community… All voices that deserve to be heard, honored, and supported fully.

My journey into the human services field was first sparked by the words of my personal hero, Dr. Gabor Maté, whose book In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts inspired me to dedicate my life to understanding addiction and giving dignity to those who suffer in silence. His work continues to remind me that empathy, not judgment, is where healing begins. One of my dreams is to someday meet Dr. Maté, collaborate with him, and carry forward his mission of giving voice to the voiceless.

Looking ahead, my ultimate goal is to take the stories I have gathered throughout my life and career and bring them into the world through a book, a podcast, video storytelling, or maybe even a TED Talk. I believe stories have the power to heal, to connect us, and to remind us that no matter our trauma, we all hold the power to grow into something greater than where we’ve been.

Everyone has a story. Everyone has trauma. But it’s the paths we choose after the pain that shape who we become. My hope and my life’s work is to create spaces where those stories can be told, heard, and honored with empathy and love.

Your story matters. Thank you for sharing it with me. I look forward to helping you turn wounds into wisdom, one scar at a time.