What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy (or "talk therapy") refers to a way of working with a mental health professional to address your thoughts, emotions and behaviour in service of your personal goals. It can be used to address specific mental health diagnoses or as a tool to improve our general well-being. There are many different ways to practice psychotherapy that vary depending on the psychotherapist and what you hope to get out of therapy.
What's Your Story?
Perhaps you have arrived at a place where life feels overwhelming. Perhaps you are someone who tends to be very critical of themselves. Perhaps negative thoughts or feelings are getting in the way of the life you want. Perhaps old ways of coping no longer feel helpful. When faced with these difficulties, asking for help can be one of the hardest, but most rewarding first steps.
I provide individual therapy to adults (18+) to help with a range of challenges.
Here are some examples of the types of concerns that we can address together: anxiety and stress, coping skills, depression, identity, relationships, self esteem, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and behaviours, ADHD, etc.
My Approach
I believe that therapy is not a "one size fits all". I therefore use an eclectic approach that combines different therapy styles to best suit your needs, strengths and preferences.
My therapy is rooted in the following theories:
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT): This therapy uses mindfulness and coping skills to help with emotional regulation and interpersonal challenges.
Narrative therapy: This therapy acknowledges life as a story and helps you to deconstruct and re-author experiences in ways that create more possibilities and preferences.
Feminist therapy: This therapy acknowledges that we all come from different social backgrounds that influence how we experience life. Together we will explore the social messages and systems of oppression that may be contributing to your concerns.
Trauma-informed therapy: This style of therapy acknowledges that trauma might be a part of your story. The therapist works hard to help make therapy a space that feels safe, collaborative and transparent.
Self compassion: A self-compassionate approach based on mindfulness, common humanity and self-kindness inspired by the work of Dr. Kristin Neff.
I also, when appropriate, will pull from:
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): This therapy uses your values to guide you toward a life that feels more meaningful. It also uses mindfulness and acceptance to assist with unhelpful thoughts.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT): This therapy works to raise awareness of our thought patterns and shape them to be more helpful in living a more functional life.
