My approach

Through my undergraduate and graduate work, I came to realize that dogmatic adherence to any single therapeutic model was limiting to me. In my personal journey, I have found inspiration and respect for the wisdom each wave of psychology has contributed to better understanding the human experience and to the reduction of human suffering.

I describe myself as an Integrative Therapist because I am most interested in attending to my client's need and promoting the most effective and efficient ways of helping them achieve their therapeutic goals, no matter what route we take or what method we use. It's the outcome of your therapeutic goals that matters most to me.

In my professional work with clients, I seek out models of psychotherapy that attend to the subjective experience and needs of my client: emotional regulation, developing psychological (and emotional) flexibility, self-healing involving the unburdening of censored or repressed parts/narratives, promoting a sense of interpersonal safety, and an coping to unwanted or difficult changes.

I have received training in Polyvagal Informed Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassionate Inquiry, Walking Therapy, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. Each of these techniques I incorporate into my practice because of the evidence-based research supporting their efficacy as well as the ability to harness a person's internal resources to promote healing, growth, and change. These models can be described as being trauma-informed, collaborative/attachment focused, or having a cognitive-mindfulness (mind-body) awareness.

I often explain to people that the point of therapy is to stop going to therapy!

So why go to therapy? And how does it differ than just talking to a good friend?

Well, the short answer is that it's not a whole lot different. And like a good friend, a therapist is there to listen, offer help, and stick by you for the long haul.

The more complete answer, however, is that a trained professional is very different than a friend. First of all, as opposed to a friend, a therapist's entire purpose is to be focused on attending to only your issues. In addition, a good therapist's role is to remain objective and not offer advice. Most of all, a good therapist is equipped with training in theory and practice in psychology and already has seasoned experience in helping others. Typically a professional therapist also adheres to a code of ethics which provides safety to the client.

Depending on the person and their therapeutic goals, therapy can be brief or extend over a longer period.

So, why come to therapy?

Well, I believe the problems we seek to work out in therapy are a result of complex biological, psychological, and social factors unique to each person life-story.

In therapy, you have the space and time to explore the deeper issues that are sometimes too difficult to tackle elsewhere. I consider you as an expert of your own life. I am not here to give you moral lessons.

My primary goal is to create a safe space for you and to listen to you.

My secondary goal, when you are ready, is to collaborate with you on making concrete steps towards lasting life changes. This may be by working through unresolved personal issues, developing skills for regulating unmanageable emotions or processing traumatic memories.

More than just helping you "feel better" and making it through the day, I want to collaborate with you to explore new ways of making choices that move you towards living a rich and meaningful life.

My aim as a therapist is to embrace an anti-oppressive stance in my therapy practice. What I mean by this is that I am aware of cultural differences between all groups and I attempt to enter all client-counsellor relationships with a sense of cultural humility and curiosity.

"Cultures" in this context can refer to nationality, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, ability, socio-economic status, and so many more.

I don't know what it's like to be you, but I want to learn.

Finding the right therapist for you can be a daunting process. If you have any particular concerns that are deal-breakers for you in therapy, please feel free to discuss them with me. You might want to work with someone who shares your cultural views (culture being defined broadly here, for example: nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age, religious views, ability, experience, and even socioeconomic background, etc.). As a therapist, I am comfortable disclosing some personal information about myself because in my experience, openness promotes trust and growth. After getting to know you and the issues you are struggling with in the first few sessions, we will assess together our compatibility for working together. If either of us feels like the fit isn’t right— perhaps because you need someone with a different area of specialty, or because of clashing personalities— I will do my best to refer you to another psychologist who can help.

In my dedication to best serve you, I am committed to seeking out regular supervision from qualified professionals. In addition, I regularly enroll in professional CE training programs to expand my expertise of evidence-based models of treatment.