I have a holistic approach in my work with clients, always striving to deepen my understanding of how the many parts of who we are as people come together within body, mind, spirit, and community.
My work is also integrative, drawing from several different psychotherapeutic frameworks and adapting these to best meet the needs, goals, preferences, and situations of my clients.
One of my greatest assets as a counsellor is my ability to connect with clients and form meaningful therapeutic relationships. My focused and grounded energy helps to create a safe, non-judgmental, and collaborative environment in which to work with clients.
Here are some of the psychotherapeutic approaches I use:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the idea that inaccurate thoughts and beliefs can lead to negative emotions, such as anxiety and depression, and unhealthy behaviors, such as overeating and substance abuse. Through exploration and observations you can gain a greater awareness of your thoughts and beliefs and learn how they shape your experiences. With this awareness you can learn to adopt more realistic viewpoints and healthier behaviors that can lead to a greater sense of wellbeing.
Person-Centered Therapy
In person-centered therapy the emphasis is on developing a therapeutic relationship that is characterized by non-judgmental caring, empathy, and trust. Within this relationship clients are encouraged to harness their strengths and can be empowered to bring about meaningful self-directed growth.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on developing awareness of feelings and thoughts that were previously not a part of conscious awareness. These “unconscious” states may be based on past early experiences and can lead to negative feelings and actions in our everyday lives. When these unconscious states are brought into conscious awareness in therapy, a person can have valuable insights that help him or her move towards more effective ways of dealing with problematic situations and a greater sense of wellbeing.
Emotion-Focused Therapy
Emotion-focused therapy emphasizes the role emotions play in influencing motivation and actions. It provides clients with the opportunity to develop emotional awareness skills through exploration and focused awareness exercises. The approach can be especially helpful in establishing or repairing bonds between couples and family members, and working through past traumas.