My Approach to Therapy
My approach is to psychological treatment is evidence-based, holistic and client-centered. I focus on an individual’s strengths to help them develop skills and find resources for tackling whatever they are struggling with. We will work as collaborators in helping to improve your mental health and quality of life.
​
In working with clients, I draw from a number of therapeutic models, including, but not limited to, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), interpersonal psychotherapy, and mindfulness. I have advanced training in the treatment of trauma and post-traumatic stress, including Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).
Trauma & PTSD
Psychological trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event or situation that breaks your sense of security. Traumatic experiences often involve a direct threat to life or safety, but anything that leaves you feeling overwhelmed or isolated can result in trauma. While it is not uncommon for people to deal with fear and anxiety during and immediately after a traumatic event, everyone’s emotional response is unique. Some people will naturally recover with time, while others may continue to experience trauma and stress-related symptoms that can include fear, guilt, shame, avoidance, anger, racing thoughts, sleep disturbance, somatic/physical symptoms, and panic. But there are effective therapies that can help. You are not alone.
Depression & Anxiety
Depression is more than just feeling down or having a bad day. When a sad mood lasts for a long time and interferes with normal, everyday functioning, you may be depressed. Symptoms of depression can include feeling sad or anxious often or all the time; not enjoying activities that used to be fun; feeling irritable‚ easily frustrated‚ or restless; feeling guilty, worthless or helpless; and having trouble concentrating, remembering or making decisions. Physical symptom can include changes in sleep patterns, appetite, energy level, sex drive, and experiencing aches, pains, headaches, or stomach problems that do not improve with treatment.
​
Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, if you frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations and the anxiety and panic interfere with your daily activities or are difficult to control, it might be time to reach out for help.
You are not alone. There are very effective therapies available for the treatment of depression and anxiety.
Grief & Loss
While many people associate grief with the death of a loved one, grief can arise in response to many kinds of losses or major life changes. It is a natural and valid emotional response—not only to bereavement, but also to the loss of relationships, health, identity, job roles, routines, or long-held hopes for the future. Even anticipated or “positive” life transitions, such as retirement or a child leaving home, can bring about grief.
​
Grief often emerges when familiar sources of comfort, connection, or meaning are disrupted. These losses—whether sudden or cumulative—can impact emotional well-being, concentration, energy levels, and a person’s sense of stability and purpose. When multiple losses occur together, or when grief is disenfranchised or unacknowledged, the process of adapting and healing can be complicated or delayed.
​
Everyone grieves differently, and there is no “right” way to do it. But you don’t have to navigate it alone—support is available.
Coping with Stress
Stress is a natural response to any change or demand that places physical, emotional, or psychological pressure on us. Everyone experiences stress to some degree—it’s the body’s way of signaling that something needs our attention or action. While some stress can be motivating, chronic or excessive stress can take a toll on your health, even if you don’t immediately recognize it. You might attribute symptoms like headaches, gastrointestinal upset, body aches, sleep difficulties, irritability, or reduced productivity to illness, when in fact, stress may be the underlying cause. How you respond to stress plays a crucial role in your overall well-being. Sometimes managing stress means addressing the source directly; other times, it involves shifting how you relate to the situation. Fortunately, there are practical and effective strategies that can help you navigate stress more skillfully and regain a sense of balance and control.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep. You may still feel tired when you wake up. Insomnia can drain not only your energy level and mood but also your health, work performance and quality of life.
Cognitive-behaviour therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) is safe and effective treatment for insomnia, that is actually recommended by the Canadian Medical Association as a first-line treatment, that should be trialed before sleep mediations are prescribed.
