When words are both kind and true, they can change our world. — Buddha

In these challenging and disturbing times, stress and despair can easily cloud our thinking and leave us feeling disconnected from our inner strength and resilience. How do we face the problems in our personal lives and a world in turmoil? How do we keep from feeling depressed, anxious, overwhelmed or powerless in the face of it all?

Counselling is a way to move forward, and it is deep work. It offers the opportunity to overcome destructive habits, work with your inner demons, process childhood experiences, gain insights, resolve conflicts, summon courage, embrace self-acceptance and experience deep well-being.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb. It will live its whole life, thinking it is stupid.” Einstein

Counselling is a transformative process that helps you discover your genius–your unique talents and true self. It builds the clarity and confidence needed to take action to live authentically. Instead of viewing problems as setbacks, problems are seen as opportunities for growth and healing. The challenges you face turn into stepping stones, leading you to a resilient, purposeful, and peaceful life

If you believe that wellbeing arises when body, heart, mind and spirit are integrated, you will resonate with my approach.

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), my approach to counselling is holistic. My practice is informed by numerous modalities: somatic work, evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, transpersonal psychology and narrative therapies. With recent developments in neuroscience and insight into the nervous system, we know that psychology and physiology are intimately connected. On some level we are all yearning to have a deeper, richer experience of who we are and our lives. This yearning is the portal into spirituality.

Here are the key aspects of my clinical practice:

Trauma/Nervous System

Fascinated by the body and its inherent wisdom, I’ve studied somatic work for five years. I am certified in Somatic Experiencing, Transformation and Bringing the Body into Practice. Somatic uses body awareness of sensations and feelings to access realms of deep knowing.

Attending to the body releases stagnant energy, metabolizes it and turns it into vital life energy. This process regulates the nervous system and reduces trauma symptoms.

Trauma affects both the mind and body. It makes a healthy nervous system react by going into stress responses like fight, flight, freeze, or fawn.

Behaviours associated with a FIGHT RESPONSE include: sarcasm, active & passive aggression, blaming, criticism, Judging, and Ignoring physical and emotional boundaries.

Behaviors associated with FLIGHT RESPONSE include: walking/running away, canceling appointments, ghosting, escaping into fantasy, lying, avoiding, hiding, and deceiving.

Behaviours associated with FREEZE RESPONSE include: ignoring, Dissociating, Immobilization, appearing to act normally while emotionally vacant, leaving the body self-numbing(alcohol, drugs, work, sex, games, books etc)

Behaviours associated with FAWNING include: people pleasing, apologizing excessively, putting other’s needs first, masking personal feelings or opinions.

Couples Counselling

As a couples counsellor, I find that Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is the most effective approach for addressing a couple’s distress and fostering intimacy. Developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, EFT is grounded in robust principles that I have personally studied under her guidance. Additionally, I have collaborated closely with her close colleague, Gail Palmer, further enhancing my expertise in this transformative therapy.

EFT focuses on attachment and bonding in relationships. EFT helps clients understand and make sense of their emotions. By organizing and distilling emotions, EFT uses present time to create a new positive experience in the here and now.

EFT takes steps to create a more secure bond and develop more trust to move the relationship in a healthier, more positive direction. It’s very inspiring to work with couples as they let down their defences, and their words of love become an experience of love. As safety and understanding deepen, the couples move closer to an intimate and satisfying connection.

Gender transitioning

I provide hormone readiness assessments for individuals wishing to transition gender.

Mindfulness

It’s exciting that the research on mindfulness and neuroscience is burgeoning. Neuro-plasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself, indicates that change is possible on any level, at any age, under any conditions.

Please see meditation page for more information,

The rich tradition of Yoga has much to offer us. I’ve been teaching Yoga since 2001. As a Yoga therapist, I use ancient yogic practices to help manage anxiety and stress and shifts states of consciousness.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a natural complement to mindfulness. While mindfulness cultivates a non-reactive awareness of thoughts and emotions, cognitive behavioural therapy addresses the content of our thoughts. It is our distorted thinking that creates suffering. When we can change our thinking pattern, we change our perception of ourselves, our lives and the world.