First off, congrats on having rallied the strength to look for a therapist (I know it's not easy)! It might not seem like it yet, but this is a really meaningful step towards a brighter future for your mental health and you having a real and effective way to heal from what's been weighing you down, clouding your mind, or beating you up inside. Especially if you've been feeling overwhelmed or uncertain of how to move yourself toward less struggle or the life you really want for yourself. If this sounds like even some of what you've been going through, I want to help and am confident I can - that's why I do this. Because I've seen therapy change people's lives and I believe that every person has the capacity to heal from even their most painful experiences, difficulties and setbacks. 

I have been worked as a counsellor in both public and private mental health practices for over 5 years, after graduating with an HBSc in Psychology from the University of Toronto (2013) with a focus on cognitive development and neuroscience and a Masters of Counselling Psychology (MA) from Simon Fraser University (2018). I incorporate a lot of my neuroscience background in my work, and for anyone's who's interested, I am happy to teach you more about how your brain and body connection works so you can better understand how your symptoms arise and how to use this wisdom to take better care of and take charge of your mental health. 

I am passionate about the work that I do. I value my clients, and am continually amazed by the resilience I encounter. It is my mission to leave all clients who work with me with an experience of being understood and genuinely cared about. I truly believe and have seen through my years of practice, that when we are understood and provided with the tools to help ourselves discover our true potential and worth, that amazing healing potential can be unlocked for even the most difficult mental health struggles. 

I'd describe my counselling approach as attunement primary. This means you feeling understood, seen and valid, not just for the struggles and concerns that may be bringing you to counselling, but for you as a whole person and where you are in your healing trajectory, is my core priority. I describe my therapeutic approach as integrative, because that's part of attunement. I considered myself particularly skilled at being able to adapt my counselling skills and techniques to various stages of the healing process, whether you are new to therapy and needing more guidance and direction or an experienced client that is looking for a counsellor to facilitate, but also meet you where you are and uphold your self-direction as part of treatment. 

My approach is relational and underscored by anti-oppression values and a belief in the core resiliency of each human. No matter how many difficulties life may have handed you, you have an innate ability to heal and live from self leadership and self-security! My background in neuroscience leaves me equipped to help you believe in and understand this, even if you have struggled with self disbelief for a long time!

For those of you interested in the technical side of things, I use therapeutic techniques and strategies from Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and compassion focused CBT (great for anxiety, and depression based concerns), somatic and mindfulness focused therapy (PTSD, addiction and anxiety) narrative and existential inquiry (depression, addiction and self esteem concerns). I also draw from practices from Internal Family Systems which is evidenced to support clients in healing from longstanding trauma based struggles, relationship and sense of self/self-worth struggles. 

I know it can be easy to get lost in the acronyms and get bogged down trying to figure out what type of therapy would be best for you - I know this struggle can be real! I offer consultations that give you the chance for us to meet each other and talk human to human before you proceed with service, so that I can give you more specific feedback and introductory info on what approaches I would use with you based on what you've been going through and what may already be working/not working. You don't have to figure that out solely on your own - I very much believe in joining my clients in discerning the best course of action in your therapeutic treatment and offering my experience and guidance at each stage of the counselling process. 

Feel free to reach out even if you just have questions. No question is too silly or small. You've got this :)