My Approach

As someone who has been on her own journey towards mental wellness, I can relate to the challenges of coping with difficult thoughts, distressing emotion and feeling stuck. My approach begins with assessing your strengths, identifying what you want to change or improve and working collaboratively with you to establish goals for therapy. My practice is largely guided by interpersonal psychotherapy, in other words together we explore “who am I today and how did I become the person I am today?”

In response to your individual needs, interests and strengths, I draw from a range of therapeutic modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to address distressing thoughts, feelings and related behaviours. This treatment method is proven to be effective for a range of mental health issues, including but not limited to, anxiety and depression. Sensory motor psychotherapy and mindfulness are used to enhance awareness of tension and holding patterns in the body and to explore what these ‘body cues’ are communicating. I can support you to learn a variety of emotion regulation strategies to calm the nervous system, decrease the intensity of emotion and help you to be more present in the moment. 

Finally, Attachment Theory is the foundation from which I practice. From the moment we enter this world we are wired to be in connected relationships with our primary caregiver(s). The quality of relationships we experience in our early years becomes a template for the quality of relationships we develop across our lives. When relationships are healthy, these can be a significant source of acceptance, comfort and support. When relationships are unhealthy, these can trigger significant emotional distress, including feelings of low self-worth and loneliness. Drawing from Attachment Theory and the Internal Family Systems model, I can help you learn to understand your relationship patterns and how to shift these toward a model that is more fulfilling, reciprocal and connected. 

My approach is trauma informed and guided by anti-oppressive practice principles. I have extensive experience working with diverse populations. Finally, I have vast clinical experience as a manager and clinician in the clinical application of gender-specific interventions for latency-aged girls and boys demonstrating significant disruptive behaviours.