Having experienced burnout himself, Laval is passionate about helping people foster resilience and recover from, or preferably prevent, it. He’s seen burnout rob people of their motivation, stifle their productivity, and leave them utterly exhausted and despondent. Few things bring Laval so much joy as seeing someone come alive again after burnout, reconnecting with their passion and increased morale and enjoying their work again.
Laval has a life-long love for learning and has been training since 2010. Laval loves empowering people through imparting skills and knowledge. He makes training entertaining and keeps his learners engaged by incorporating real-world stories and examples.
Laval holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in social work. He has worked in the social service field since 2006, with various populations, including people experiencing mental health challenges, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and homelessness and poverty. He has extensive experience in crisis intervention and conflict resolution from working in group homes, shelters, and drop-ins.
In addition to training, Laval has a private practice where he provides Dialectical Behaviour Therapy to people who experience a variety of mental health and relationship concerns. His undergraduate education focused extensively on anti-oppressive practice. Laval has also practiced various martial arts and self-defense systems since 2001, with a focus on avoiding and de-escalating conflict. He is a full-instructor of Senshido and also holds an instructor certification with Safe International.