
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself, just as I am, then I can change.”
- Carl Rogers
My approach
I believe a genuine and accepting therapeutic relationship is the foundation for change. My approach to therapy is culturally informed, anti-oppressive, and integrative. By that I mean, I strive to have a contextual (e.g., historical, societal, familial, current environment) understanding of your concerns so I can tailor my approach to fit your needs.
Often, I see clients whose past way of coping, such as avoidance and distraction, is no longer working. In therapy, we might explore what patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours move you away from – or toward – your values and goals.
In my experience and training, I’ve found that the most productive therapy is a collaboration between you and me. I’m mindful of regularly asking and giving feedback. That might be having a conversation about how therapy is going and if the sessions are meeting your needs, and discussing barriers that may be getting in the way of our goals.
Evidence-based therapies including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are some of the approaches I use in therapy. Mindfulness and self-compassion approaches are often integrated into my work with clients as well.
I use prolonged exposure (PE), and I’m an approved cognitive processing therapy (CPT) provider for the treatment of PTSD.
Whether you are seeking therapy to alleviate emotional pain or to have a better understanding of yourself and your relationships, I believe therapy has the potential to offer both and much more.
I look forward to hearing from you.