my experience, approach & qualifications
As someone who also struggles and triumphs with a number of the “life things” that lead people to seek counseling, I find my work personally rewarding on many levels. I am passionate about my role as an empathic listener, an inquisitive collaborator and a sturdy witness.
I support individuals, couples, families and groups experiencing simple and complex issues around mental and physical health, gender and sexual identity, abilities and disabilities, racial and cultural identity, relationships (romantic, familial, professional), and many other lived realities and social positionings.
I approach each and every individual whom I counsel with an openness and a desire to learn about your unique story and desired therapy outcomes.
I believe that a large part of counseling and psychotherapy is honouring. We honour your innate capacities, talents and creative means of coping, surviving, managing, adapting and thriving. We seek to practice new tools and strategies while putting your own resources to use in addressing the challenges in your life.
I base my work in the understanding that our relationships with other individuals, groups, societal structures and systems have profound impacts on our psyches, spirits and bodies. These, in turn, deeply affect our relationships with and experiences of ourselves, our friends and family, our lovers and partners, our workplaces and classrooms, and the world at large.
I anchor my personal and professional practice in the following frameworks and principles. Below they are simply listed; if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would love to discuss how I can make you feel safe and comfortable in our therapy sessions.
- Anti-colonialism; pro-Indigeneity; anti-racism
- Feminism; anti-TERF
- LGBTQQIP2SAA-positivity; affirming of the gender & sexuality spectra.
- Anti-ageism; honouring the wisdom & perspectives of elders & youth.
- Sex-positivity; kink-, polyamory- & sex work-positive
- Harm Reduction; approaching your relationship to a substance, to self-harm, or to other forms of coping with respect, curiosity & compassion.
- Anti-Ableism; neurodivergence-affirming
- Pro self-determination; centering your agency and power.
therapeutic modalities
I draw tools, methods and insights from the following therapeutic modalities outlined below. More important to know is that my goal for our session is to nurture a collaborative and exploratory dialogue between us. Sessions often take the form of inquisitive, creative and open-ended conversations in which we journey through your history, present, and visions of the future using...
Mindfulness - Honing your ability to notice thoughts, emotions and physical feelings in your body; increasing your capacity to hold them with curiosity and compassion. Practicing simple techniques that will help you become more attuned to your body’s messages and it's underlying emotional and psychic needs, without becoming overwhelmed or consumed by them.
Narrative Therapy - Giving voice to your story while listening and making space for the quieter sub-stories that deeply inform who you are. Re-membering or discovering, in this way, the various interwoven truths, knowledges and wisdoms you possess. Standing apart from your inner voices to dialogue with them from the stance of a wiser self, offering them compassion and kindness, coming to know their needs and patterns, and learning how to better appreciate, honour and manage their presence in your life.
"Parts Work" (from IFS, CRM, etc) - This is a technique common in a handful of therapeutic modalities. I use it quite a bit, as it allows us to sink quite a bit deeper than the surface to process trauma or simply discover feelings and needs that otherwise may remain suppressed or distracted from. My "parts" approach is informed by Internal Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, and Comprehensive Resource Model. In parts work, we get to know the distinct voices that make up your inner experience, how they came to be, and what they need. We install soothing resources to accompany and protect some of these parts, helping them become less activated or easily triggered. We can even encourage healthy, compassionate and productive dialogue between parts.
Somatic Experiencing - Tapping into your deepest truths and needs held within the body. We drop out of the mind and into your physical being, where we listen for the sensation-messages stored within. We move towards and between different emotions held as bodily sensations, using the breath and your conscious awareness to increase your ability to notice, tolerate, hold, and eventually, to welcome all sensations and the informaion they offer. We expand your bodily insight, appreciation, attunement, and skills to ground and soothe yourself.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy - Some overlap with somatic therapy: Experimenting with gentle, non-contact, physical motions and postural adjustments as a means of reaching somatic closure from traumatic memories, releasing physical tension, shifting perspectives, and improving your sense of self and safety in the world.
personal & professional development
I approach my practice with a commitment to keep my practitioner-self in constant conversation with my learner-self. My intention is not only to be a better person and therapist, but a keen, curious and perpetual student.
As lived realities are ever-evolving, therefore so must my knowledge base and practice be. I centre my continued education on those changing realities and the psychological, emotional, spiritual and material impacts they have on those who experience them.
I receive supervision and consultation from a senior therapist with extensive experience and similar social, political and therapeutic commitments as myself.
Whatever is shared between us is kept strictly confidential, in accordance with the ethical parameters and codes of conduct that our college of professional practice holds us to.
Together, we share perspectives, discuss therapeutic approaches, and strategize around how I can better support you.
My supervisor also supports me in noticing, understanding and managing my own biases and triggers, as I strive towards bettering my ally-ship and professional integrity.
education & professional registration
Registered with the NIHB/IRS programs, for Indigenous Clients
Government of Canada
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Somatic Experiencing; the Body-Oriented Approach to Trauma & Stress
Course by Peter Levine
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Somatic Embodiment & Regulation Strategies
Course by Linda Thai of Collectively Rooted
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Narrative Therapy & Trauma
Course by the Narrative Therapy Centre, Toronto
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Sensorimotor Psychotherapy & Trauma
Course by Janina Fisher
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Masters in Social Work (MSW), specializing in Social Justice and Diversity
University of Toronto, Ontario
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Registered Social Worker (RSW) and Psychotherapist
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Registration Number 821109
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BA.Hon. International Development, (Minor : Spanish Language)
University of Guelph, Ontario