My Approach to Therapy

I find it incredibly difficult to describe how I practice. Part of this is because my practice is a little different with every person I see; how I speak, what modality I’ll use, whether I will share about myself or not, whether you will have “homework” or not, all depends on you, the client. In other words, I tailor how I work to meet the needs, personality, experiences, and culture of the person I’m working with. To do this, I collaborate with you: what do you notice happening in your life? Do you have a sense of what you might need? Would you like to try X? If not, how about Y?

The most important part of my work is my relationship with you, the client. I strive to understand you, your history (as you deem relevant and important), your way of being, and your personality. I meet you where you are and work with you on your goals, as you define them. I don’t (often) tell you what to do, or tell you what the problems in your life are. While I am happy to provide input and ideas, I believe health and wellness is up to you to define.

In terms of what modalities I use, I integrate various different practices in order to work with you in supporting your overall wellbeing. I do often include somatic therapies, which means that I work with your body. I understand how painful emotions and experiences are stored in the body, expressed through the body, and offer gentle ways to approach and resource you in healing. I also practice Internal Family Systems, a modality that focuses on familiarizing ourselves with (and meeting the needs of) “parts” of our personality.

A common session with me includes experiencing emotions (both pleasant and unpleasant) in my presence; together, we work through being present with difficult feelings and listening to the body (and mind and possibly spirit) to give these parts what they need.

While I do use DBT and CBT (approaches that are centred on changing thoughts and behaviours in order to change our feelings), this is not at the centre of my work. Most of the folks I work with have already tried these modalities and tell me that while they know what they should do or what they should think, there is a disconnect between their brain and their internal experience or motivation.

Specializations

I often work with trauma: racial trauma, sexual trauma, relationship trauma. What is trauma? Sometimes, it is a one-time “shock” to the system that disrupts our sense of safety and connection to the world around us. Sometimes, it’s the accumulation of being mistreated at key points in our lives. Regardless, I conceptualize trauma as any event, or series of events, that overwhelms our system’s capacity to respond. I am trained in several trauma modalities, including EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Somatic Therapies.

I also work with a lot of folks who have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). My approach to BPD is holistic and compassionate. I recognize that many people who have this diagnosis have struggled in life, especially in childhood, and I see the “symptoms” of BPD as responses to an environment in which your emotional needs were not met. Although some argue that Dialectical Behavioural Therapy is “the” treatment for BPD, I find that in 1:1 work, those struggling with symptoms such as emotional regulation, unstable relationships, sense of belonging, struggles with emptiness, and chronic suicidality, benefit greatly from a mix of DBT, Internal Family Systems, and somatic therapies.

Other areas in which I work include issues related to identity (sexual, racial, gender, cultural); addictions; depression; and anxiety.

Overall, people I work well with are those who want more meaning in their life; healthier relationships with others and themselves; more joy in their lives; and a deeper sense of connection to themselves, their loved ones, and the world around them.

Experience and Qualifications

I hold two Master’s degrees: one in gender, sexuality and culture through the University of Manchester (2005); and one in Social Work through the University of Victoria (2013).

I am a Registered Social Work in Alberta.

I am trained in EMDR (River’s Edge Consulting; focus on racialized populations).

I hold a certificate in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy (Embody Lab).

I have also completed trainings in Internal Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing.

I am currently in training on the Hakomi Method and Internal Family Systems.

I started my career by working in crisis services in 2001. I volunteered on various crisis lines before working to accompany recent sexual assault survivors to the hospital. I am also experienced as a support worker for women who are sex workers and/or in transitional housing. I have served as a social worker and therapist in both hospitals and community mental health clinics. I began my private practice in 2021.