My Approach
TRUST & SAFETY
My priority in working with you is to establish trust and rapport. This is the essential foundation upon which we build. I value genuine connections and transparent communication.
Person-Centered
My approach is gentle, non-judgmental, yet honest, and I will always be guided by your needs and wishes. I strongly believe that you are the expert in your own journey, and that I am alongside to provide support, encouragement, and hope.
Strengths-based
As I get to know you over time, I seek to identify and validate the unique strengths that you exhibit. I believe that so much can be accomplished by supporting you in accessing your own strengths, wisdom, and resources.
Anti-Oppression
In addition, I view the challenges that you experience as more than an individual responsibility to address. I view life experiences as existing within in a broader context of factors, including systemic oppression. This is related to liberation psychology, which aims to promote well-being and social change by challenging oppressive structures and advocating for social justice and equality.
Decolonizing Therapy
Traditional therapy positions the professional as the expert and often pathologizes human experiences, framing them as problems that are an individual responsibility to solve.
Traditional therapy is Eurocentric and can also contribute to marginalized people feeling unseen, unheard, and unsafe.
For more information on how I am actively decolonizing my practice, learn more here.
Professional Accountability
I engage in professional accountability in the following ways:
Regularly inviting and being responsive to feedback
Engaging in ongoing professional development
Participating in clinical supervision and consultation
Being mindful of my workload, so that I can remain accessible to people I am currently supporting and maintain longevity in this profession
other theories & approaches that inform my work
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Acknowledges the impact of the personal and political context on one’s well-being, including the impact of patriarchy and other systems of oppression. Aims to establish an egalitarian therapeutic relationship. Promotes empowerment.
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Provides practices to intentionally observe the present moment with openness and acceptance, free of judgment. Can result in both physical and mental benefits.
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Believes that people with mental health issues can live fulfilling lives. Acknowledges that recovery is a journey that is unique to each individual. Fosters hope for the future and self-determination.
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Explores and strengthens motivation and commitment towards making positive change in one’s life. Supports self-efficacy. Utilizes collaboration. Honours autonomy in the decision-making process.
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Supports quality of life for people with mental health issues. Actively challenges the stigma of mental illness. Helps find meaning and growth. Includes skill-building and resource-development.
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Actively and continually challenges systemic racism and white supremacy. Recognizes the ever-evolving nature of intersecting identities and encourages lifelong curiosity and learning. Requires self-reflection and acknowledgment of one’s biases.
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Aims to examine and change thinking and/or behavioural patterns to improve emotional experiences. Develops coping strategies.
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Promotes both acceptance and change. Helps to cope with extreme emotions and improve relationships with others. Features skill-building across four modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
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Recognizes the prevalence of trauma and how the impacts of trauma can present in everyday life. Strives to establish a sense of safety and to prevent re-traumatization. Uses specific approaches to support healing from trauma.
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The non-pathologizing perspective that each human being is a system of parts and has a core self that is innately healing. Supports clients in developing a relationship between their core self and parts to enable better self-awareness and healing.
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Encourages acceptance of thoughts and feelings even if they may be difficult or unpleasant. Encourages commitment to living a life that is informed by our values.
SOME Issues I have supported People with
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From navigating cultural expectations, to surviving culture clashes, to persevering through racial microaggressions and macroaggressions.
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From feeling a bit down for the first time, to the “winter blues”, to chronic major depression.
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From slight uneasiness or worry, to chronic anxiety and panic attacks.
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We live in stressful times. Stress may be coming from various sources, including work, school, personal obligations, world events, and systemic oppression.
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Change in life is inevitable, and it can sometimes be difficult to adjust - planned or unplanned.
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From peer relationships, to family relationships, to intimate partner relationships.
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Building on existing skills to help cope with life challenges and maintain your wellness.
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Support in figuring out what you want to achieve and mapping out how to get there.
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It is often difficult to be kind towards ourselves, particularly when we live with marginalized identities and/or have survived a traumatic experience.
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It can help to explore options before taking the next step when feeling conflicted or stuck in life.
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From losing a loved one, to losing a job, to experiencing a change in your physical/mental health.
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This includes bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and psychosis.
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Supporting a friend or family member with mental health issues can take a toll on your own well-being and you may benefit from additional support.
