I’m Iona Monk and I’m thrilled to be co -hosting this podcast with my good friend and colleague Pam Stewart.  Pam and I first met at grad school at the University of British Columbia in 1999, both of us studying counselling psychology. Let’s just say, it was love at first sight!

Not unlike meeting Pam, meeting my husband Steve also felt like love at first sight. I’ve been with him for almost 25 years now and he is, quite simply, the love of my life. (But please don’t tell my dog that- it would crush her)! Over the years, we’ve had our share of ups and downs, but we continually prioritize and work at making our relationship the best it can be. It has not always been easy and like everyone, I’ve had moments of  wanting to throw in the towel. Thankfully, I’ve stuck with it and the hard work has paid off! I choose my marriage and I choose my husband each and every day. For us, the keys to a happy marriage are shared values, laughter, family, friends,  shared goals, exercise, healthy living, personal growth, a good friendship and the common prioritization of each other. I have learned as much about love, vulnerability, trust and commitment from my husband as I have from all my years of schooling and therapy combined. It is this rich wealth of experience and knowledge that I strive to share with my clients and  listeners each and every day.

Through my clinical experience and continued education, I am aware of two major systems operating in all interpersonal relationships: attachment systems and defense systems. Both are wise and useful lenses to help us understand and connect with ourselves and with the most cherished people in our lives.

It is with all this knowledge of life and love that I do this podcast.  My desire is to share my knowledge, humour and experience with all of you, in an attempt to educate and normalize many of our current relationship issues that  even us,  as therapists, experience!

In my spare time I enjoy laughing, (I’ve even tried my hand at stand up comedy), healthy eating, exercising, being a good wife and mother to both my human and animal kids and being a lifelong learner and grower!

I hope this podcast can be helpful to you all.

Hello dear listeners.

A mother, lover, friend, perpetual student and passionate career girl, just like many of you, I truly believe we all grow and evolve most significantly in the context of relationships.

Are relationships hard at times, even occasionally darn near impossible? Hell yes! But there is nothing like feeling loved and cherished and returning those feelings of deep connection and commitment. I have travelled to many places in the world and everywhere I go I see couples and families connecting in ways unique to them.

As a clinical counsellor, it is important to me that I “walk my talk” in all the relationships in my life. My husband, and my former husband, have both been great teachers (once I put down my defenses and let myself be open to change). Relationships with my two adult daughters, whom I adore, have always stimulated me to work diligently at being a secure and aware attachment figure.

Much to my chagrin, I have discovered that it is way easier to learn academically about therapeutic theory and techniques than it is to apply them in day to day life. The Relationship Dish Podcast was created specifically with the intent of demonstrating how a therapist navigates relationship challenges and practically applies strategies for doing better.

Too serious for my own good, I adore spending time with my colleague and dear friend Iona Monk. Iona makes me laugh and see the humor in things. I think we are the “dream team” come true. Join us on our weekly podcast, Relationship Dish.

Education
Master’s Degree, Clinical Counselling
University of British Columbia, Vancouver. BC

Master’s Degree, Communication Disorders
University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

Diploma, Interior Decorating and Design
Burnaby Adult Education, Burnaby, BC

Membership
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors

Publications
BC Medical Journal, April 2007
Toward comprehensive treatment for postpartum depressed mothers and their infants

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a817/c0ef6f971133ca24bb57ce31ed0d86e65159.pdf