A little about me

Like many therapists, my interest in psychology is both professional and personal.

Earlier in my life, I experienced depression, anxiety, and, like many of us do, a pretty mean inner critic. Seeking help and doing my own therapeutic work changed my life in lasting ways. That experience and recovering is part of what led me to become a counsellor.

Over the years I've combined that lived experience with extensive education, clinical training, and ongoing professional development. I continue to be fascinated by what we're learning about the human brain, nervous system, relationships, and the remarkable capacity people have to deliberately change throughout life.

I know how vulnerable it can feel to reach out for support. And I know it is usually very worthwhile to do this work, because you can very often turn your suffering into thriving.

My goal is to create a space where you don't have to pretend you're okay, where you can bring your whole experience—including the parts you may have learned to hide—and where we can work together to better understand what has shaped you and where you'd like to go from here.

What it's like to work with me in therapy

People often ask what therapy with me is like.

My style is collaborative, conversational, and thoughtful. Therapy isn't about me giving advice or telling you how to live your life. It's about working together to understand your experiences, recognize the patterns that have developed over time, and discover new ways of responding that better fit the person you want to become. We observe the strategies that are not helping you thrive, and find better ways of moving though the world.

Some sessions involve making sense of something that happened during the week. Others involve noticing patterns that have been present for years. At times, I'll share what psychology and neuroscience can teach us about what's happening in your brain, body, emotions, or relationships, because understanding ourselves often reduces shame, and opens the door to meaningful change.

I'll ask questions, offer observations, gently challenge you when it seems helpful, and help connect the dots between your past and your present. My hope is that you leave sessions not only feeling heard, but understanding yourself more clearly than when you arrived.

No two people arrive in therapy with the same history, strengths, or goals, so I don't believe in using a single therapeutic approach with everyone. Instead, I take an integrative, evidence-informed approach, drawing from a range of therapeutic perspectives depending on what is most likely to be helpful for you.

My work is particularly influenced by attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology, polyvagal theory, Parts theory (like Internal Family Systems), emotionally focused therapies, somatic considerations, and current neuroscience research. I also integrate cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness, solution-focused therapy, PACT, Gottman Method, and other evidence-informed approaches when they are likely to be helpful.

Whatever approaches we use, my aim remains the same: to help you understand yourself with greater clarity and compassion, develop greater flexibility in how you respond to life's challenges, and build relationships that feel more authentic and fulfilling.

My therapeutic values

I strive to create a therapeutic relationship where people feel respected, understood, and accepted as they are.

My practice is highly relational, trauma-informed, anti-racist, gender-affirming, queer-affirming, non-pathologizing, and grounded in an intersectional feminist perspective. I believe every person's story deserves to be understood within the context of their relationships, culture, identity, and lived experience.

Therapy works best as a collaborative relationship. My role isn't to tell you who to become. It's to help you better understand yourself, discover new possibilities, and support you as you make changes that are meaningful to you.

If you're wondering whether we'd be a good fit, I'd be happy to talk with you.

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Read about who I work with best and my approach.