My approach is rooted in my belief that change and healing are always possible. We can continue to learn and grow at every stage of life. It is a courageous act to seek help and try something new. I take the privilege of sharing this journey with you very seriously and with an enormous amount of gratitude for allowing me in.
In counselling we will work together to untangle the challenges you are experiencing. The good news is that your questions, your doubt, and your sense that something isn’t right, all mean that you are doing better than you may think. These are all signs that you are open to growth and the idea that “maybe there is another way….”.
My practice is rooted in evidence based therapies that focus on enhanced wellbeing in both mind and body. I believe that healing and change come when we feel emotionally regulated, purposeful and have a sense of control over our lives. I work with clients to develop a deeper understanding of their own patterns and attachment styles so that they can make lasting changes that better serve them in their present life. I have a special interest in working with resolving trauma, anxiety, parenting issues, substance use and with youth and their families.
Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.
Pema Chodron
EDUCATION
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and have a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from City University of Seattle. I also have a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from the University of Victoria. I have extensive training with the Professional Association of Equine Facilitated Wellness as a Mental Health Professional. My master’s research and thesis were focussed on integrating somatic psychology and equine-facilitated psychotherapy for the treatment of complex trauma. I believe strongly in lifelong learning and I am always looking to find new avenues to explore. I am currently completing a two-year certification in Somatic Attachment Psychotherapy. I believe that ongoing consultation is an integral part of ethical practice and I meet regularly with a clinical supervisor.