In our lives, change is unavoidable, loss is unavoidable. In the adaptability and ease with
which we experience change, lies our happiness and freedom.
BUDDHA
Whatever brings you to therapy, my goal is to help you gain clarity and find some relief, right now and for the longer term. I see clients for all sorts of reasons, but much of my work is in the following areas:
- Anxiety
- Stress & overwhelm
- Emotional triggers
- Grief & loss
- Trauma
My style is eclectic, meaning I draw from different types of therapy to tailor an approach that suits you. People have described me as warm, genuine, and non-judgmental. I am honoured by the trust clients put in me, and I strive to create a space where you can bring all your stories and hopes, so that I may help you carry them.
How It Works
In our first session, we will talk about what’s happening for you, what you are hoping to get out of therapy, and what we can do right now to lighten your burden. If possible, it is often useful to have regular sessions over a period of time, but a small number of sessions can still be very helpful.
Over multiple sessions, our conversations will grow and deepen as we work through your concerns. We might look for patterns or root causes, explore different ways to look at things, and try some practical tools and strategies to get you closer to where you want to be.
In addition to talk therapy, I also offer techniques that work more directly to calm and regulate the nervous system (like mindfulness or somatic therapies), and can be very effective in reducing stress, anxiety, and the effects of trauma and loss. These tools are non-invasive, easy to learn and use on your own, and can be helpful for both short and long term relief of suffering. I also find they are a great complement to the other approaches we might use in our sessions, making therapy faster, easier and more effective. If you’re interested, we will work together to decide which of these work best for you.
Some of the theories and approaches I use in my practice:
- Client-centred Therapy
- Polyvagal Theory
- Mindfulness-based Interventions
- Internal Family Systems
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Triphasic Trauma Treatment
- Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT, “tapping”)
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
I take part in ongoing professional development, including meeting regularly with an experienced Clinical Supervisor. This helps me ensure I’m providing responsible and high-quality services, and is part of best practice expectations of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
Professional Memberships:
- Registered Social Worker in Ontario
- Member in good standing of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW)
About Me
I came to psychotherapy as a second career after a decade working in social policy. In both of these roles, I’ve been honoured to play a small part in the wellbeing and self-determination of the individuals and communities I’ve worked with.
I believe that every one of us deserves connection, joy, meaning, and the opportunity to live authentically, as well as compassion and support when we are suffering. Our stories are as unique as we are, yet in many ways we are woven together by common threads of human experience. The more we help one another grow and heal, the brighter and more hopeful this world seems.