Strengths-Based Counselling:
Empowering You to Overcome Life's Challenges & Embrace Your Authentic Self

Areas of Focus

  • Trauma is anything that is “too much” for our nervous system to integrate. Our bodies are intelligent and adapt to trauma to keep us safe and survive, but they can also get stuck.

    We often think of trauma as an isolated horrific event like war or abuse but experiences like emotional abuse, discrimination, bullying or loss can also evoke a trauma response.

    At the heart of trauma healing is building a foundational therapeutic connection based on trust and the recognition that everyone’s journey is unique and requires a personalized approach.

    I combine both cognitive and somatic-based interventions to address the psychological and physiological impacts of trauma. I believe that we must work to undo harmful shame-based narratives that make us feel at fault or broken, and integrate body-based interventions to reconnect and resolve trauma. My hope is that our work together helps you integrate the past experiences into your present identity, and move towards a future that is more aligned with your values and aspirations.

  • We live in a fast-paced world. With so many expectations and obligations, it's hard to catch a break, and it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed by anxiety. A healthy amount of anxiety can be a good thing, giving us the energy and life force to “get things done” but anxiety can also feel out of control or immobilizing, and is often a response to underlying emotions such as anger, fear, or sadness.

    How we work together can look different based on your experiences but I often incorporate mindfulness techniques and somatic-based interventions to help clients explore the root causes of their anxiety and engage with tools to manage their discomfort. I often use guided body scans or breathing exercises to help clients develop greater awareness of their physical sensations and emotions. With this new awareness, clients may begin to identify their unique constellation of symptoms and develop a new understanding of their relationship with anxiety. My hope is to help you feel more aligned and more in the driver’s seat in your day to day. Together, we work to find ways to access a sense of "ease", even when the world feels chaotic.

  • Substance use is a complex issue, and each person’s experience with substances is unique. We live in a world that celebrates some substances and demonizes others. Most of us have some experience with substance use, whether it's to cope with pain, connect with others, or simply have fun and relax. But for many, their relationship with substances can create barriers and negatively impact their life.

    In my work with clients, I approach substance use and addiction from a harm reduction perspective. I recognize that substances can serve as a lifeline and add real benefits to your life.

    I also recognize how societal factors impact individual’s relationship to substances. For example,the disproportionate impact of drug laws on communities of colour.

    Rather than stigmatizing or shaming individuals for their substance use, we work together to identify strategies that can minimize the potential harms associated with their use.

    I support clients who want to change their relationship with substances, whether it's by reducing use, setting limits, or exploring abstinence.

    We work together to identify the underlying causes of your substance use, and develop tools and coping strategies that can support your new desired way of being. This could include mindfulness techniques, physical exercise, creative expression, or social support from friends and family. But there is no one “right” way to approach substance use and the strategies we co-create will depend on your values, goals, and unique situation.

  • Psychedelic-assisted therapy is an emerging field that has shown great promise in treating a variety of mental health conditions. As a therapist, I offer psychedelic integration and education services to those who have had experience with entheogenic substances.

    Psychedelic experiences can be incredibly powerful and transformative, but they can also be challenging and difficult to integrate into daily life. I provide a supportive space for individuals to explore and process their experiences, and I work with clients to develop strategies to help them integrate their experiences into their lives in a meaningful and sustainable way.

    In addition to integration services, I also offer education from a harm reduction perspective to individuals who are considering using psychedelics or who have questions about the risks and benefits of these substances. I am committed to helping individuals make informed and responsible decisions about their use of these substances.

  • What an incredible and incredibly challenging transition it is to parenthood! As someone who has recently become a parent and a therapist, I understand how overwhelming, confusing, and isolating the perinatal period can be for individuals and families. It involves so many new adjustments and is exhausting. Regardless of your path, it can often feel like you are “doing it wrong” and that you have to “figure it out all on your own.”

    Factors like support, financial and job security, and mental and physical health can all impact well-being in different ways. In this world, there are absurd expectations placed on new parents, and we often place unrealistic and unattainable expectations on ourselves, which can add to the overwhelm and isolation. It can feel tricky to understand our new identity.

    Additionally, individuals going through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience incredible physiological and hormonal shifts. There is a literal change in brain structure, and no wonder this journey is hard!

    My approach to perinatal mental health involves a compassionate and client-centered focus, supporting individuals to understand and cope with the complex emotional experiences that can arise during this time. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, or simply navigating the challenges of parenthood, I am here to support you in finding a path toward greater well-being and fulfillment.

I understand the importance of a personalized approach that embraces the unique journey of each individual. While I am open to working with a wide range of experiences, my areas of specialization include: Relational Trauma, Anxiety, Substance Misuse / Addiction, Psychedelic Integration & Education, and Perinatal Mental Health.

  • "Our bodies, our nervous systems, our culture and our history have been shaped by trauma, and this is why it's so important to heal."

    Resmaa Menakem

  • "Integration is about finding ways to bring the insights, revelations, and beauty we encountered during our psychedelic journey back into our day-to-day life."

    Francoise Bourzatere

  • “Trauma is not what happens to you, it's what happens inside you.”

    Gabor Maté

  • "For those who have been targeted, trauma is not an individual experience but a collective one. We must recognize the systemic nature of trauma and work to dismantle it."

    Marycatherine McDonald

  • "The challenge of recovery is to reestablish ownership of your body and your mind – of yourself. This means feeling free to articulate your own experience, to think your own thoughts, to feel your own feelings."

    Bessel van der Kolk