Find a Therapist in West Point Grey, British Columbia.

Feelings need to be felt. Stories need to be told. Sometimes, a therapist takes the role of a highly trained audience. I know how to listen, with the curiosity and earnestness of someone newly in love. Listening is not the entire treatment, but it is definitely a necessary part of it. I'll quote Lou Reed here: "I'll be your mirror, reflect what you are, in case you don't know."

My professional credential is Registered Therapeutic Counsellor not psychotherapist. However I have extensive experience with the tools of psychotherapy including: attachment healing, somatic attunement, object relations, ego state therapy, and depth psychology. I integrate the Diamond Approach, a system for spiritual and psychological maturation, into my work with clients. A core tenet I experience daily is: we each have an individual soul with unlimited potential to free ourselves from limiting aspects of personality, inherited trauma and old beliefs. I've been a student of the Diamond Approach since 1989 and am grateful to the teachers, teachings, and our community of lovers of truth.

Sometimes it is necessary to take a journey into the past. So much of what our brain takes in, and accepts as truth, enters the brain subconsciously. Exploring past life experiencing and allowing oneself to fully chew them up (so they can be properly stored and not triggered at in opportune times), is often essential to moving on. This is often a particular issue with childhood trauma. Nothing is as rewarding as seeing one of my clients push through an unconscious block and be able to get on with their life again.

As a psychotherapist, I offer a safe and warm environment to explore your concerns with non judgmental approach. The work will inspire empowering conversations which will foster resiliency and change. The results of counselling can be an overall sense of strength and well being. My counselling style takes into account each persons unique needs, goals, and current challenges to develop lasting change.

Psychotherapy is its own unique journey , and so much of the work we would do together may be that as well, unique to your needs, and utilizing tools from various modalities. Using attachment based work and psychotherapy models, as well as experiential work we will discover a healthier, braver self and cultivate increased self awareness, compassion and sometimes forgiveness.

Psychotherapy is a broad term that includes counselling, mental health, and therapy. My approach to psychotherapy is geared toward the specific needs of each client. Not one approach works for everyone and so I don't try to help all my clients with one type of therapy. Instead, I do an initial assessment on the phone and then at the first session and then base my treatment approach from the information gained. I also ensure that I check-in with my client as we continue our work to ensure the approaches being used are proving helpful and adjust accordingly to their input and as more information is provided.

I strongly believe that psychotherapy is an art. This is the reason I integrate different approaches and modalities when working with clients based on their goals and their current situation. In other words, I use my years of training and my clinical experience to make sure what we do is helpful to you. I have done training in approaches that focus on thoughts and cognitions such as CBT, approaches that are more emotionally focused such as AEDP and approaches that are more body focused such as SP. This helps us to give equal attention to all parts of your experience such as your feelings, your thoughts and your body. You will feel more integrated and whole as a result.

In the practice of psychotherapy, I believe in an eclectic approach that considers human beings holistically, taking into account emotions, the body, mind, and social and cultural factors. Everyone embarks on a unique journey; at the core of my practice is a commitment to honor the wisdom within each individual and their right to pursue their own path of healing and self-discovery. In this collaborative process, I assist clients in increasing self-awareness, learning skills to manage and express emotions, processing unhelpful feelings and traumatic past experiences, enhancing emotional intelligence, improving relationship satisfaction, and fostering self-empowerment and personal growth.

Struggling with anxiety, anger, addiction, or trauma? You’re not alone. Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or hopeless is tough, but it doesn't have to be permanent. I'm here to help. With specialized techniques and a compassionate approach, we can work together to find relief, gain control, and rediscover joy. Imagine a life where you feel calm, empowered, and in control. Book your free 15-minute consultation today to take the first step towards healing. Let’s turn your pain into strength and reclaim the life you deserve. Schedule now and start your journey to a better tomorrow.

Psychotherapy can empower you to create lasting positive change. Creating a safe, compassionate space for your own inner journey is in itself often a meaningful contradiction to how we have been alone with our pain. Through my guidance and gentle support, you will begin to examine and move through the places of pain and confusion that trouble you. Your path toward personal growth and expansion will reveal new possibilities and ways to achieve a life of joy and the connection you want. Call me or email for a free 15 minute consultation.

Psychotherapy and counseling provide a space to build on your strengths and uncover solutions to the challenges you face daily. It’s a collaborative process where we work together to explore what’s holding you back, untangle the complexities of life, and move toward the life you desire. I view this work as a partnership, walking alongside you as we navigate the peaks and valleys of your unique journey. My approach is rooted in trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and social justice principles, recognizing that our experiences are deeply influenced by the systems and structures around us. This often means looking beyond the individual to understand how broader social, cultural, and environmental

My counselling approach always begins with building a trusting working relationship. I believe in being genuine, open-minded, non-judgmental and empathic. I understand that it takes courage to reach out for help. By doing so, you are half way there! My goal as a Counsellor is to begin working with clients where they presently are in their lives, listening to their life stories and processing with them any trauma or stress they might have experienced. Moving forward from there, we address current issues and work together to outline what clients want to change. Both intrapersonal and interpersonal difficulties are addressed. I am open to using a variety of different therapeutic approaches.

My approach in psychotherapy is a collaborative relationship between client and therapist, respecting your presenting issues, your choices, and pace for change. I often integrate a body-oriented approach in order to engage all parts of the brain and accelerate and deepen the healing process. I may suggest we work using cognitive behavioral therapy and/or sensorimotor psychotherapy (primarily for trauma), along with a variety of other techniques that work well with your presenting problem. I find that many clients are surprised at how quickly they make progress.

I use a two pronged approach in assisting clients . The first is called CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This is highly used in counselling. It increase a clients awareness and enhances their education and skills. The second component, and I believe the most important, is the Reduction of Emotional Charge connected with the issue. Some times CBT is sufficient to bring about permanent change. But often people relapse because the emotional stimulation/reaction had not been reduced & they default to their old coping mechanisms.

Life can be hard. Help is here for you. Challenges and problems are part of life. It's good to reach out for help. You are the expert in your life, in your goals, values and aspirations. I am here to provide tools, accountability, support, encouragement and help in revealing to you all your inner awesomeness. I have unwavering confidence in your capabilities and potential, even when you find it hard to see them. Together we create a place to step back and gain perspective, test ideas, create solutions and move towards a life that is fulfilling, meaningful and connected.

It is my hope that through the process of exploring personal and relationship issues, clients will develop a greater self-awareness and understanding of their potential and capabilities. Clients will identify any limiting beliefs and thought patterns that may have blocked them from attaining goals in their personal relationships and/or professional lives. Clients will also address and work on any unhealed past experiences of emotional and/or physical trauma that may be negatively affecting their lives today. Clients will benefit from building effective communication skills to promote healthy relationships. It is my hope that clients will develop a loving acceptance of Self.

Diving in to our selves and our unconscious minds can yield unexpected gifts. Sometimes individuals are called to do so because of problems in their lives or symptoms that cause them discomfort, and at other times for personal growth and self-innovation. Through guided self-exploration, you can heal and grow. You can experience increased life satisfaction, a greater sense of meaning and purpose, and a broadened awareness of your past and present choices so that you can improve the ones you make in the future.

Psychotherapy (or counselling) is ‘talk therapy’ – where you, as the client, share: your experiences, goals, challenges, presenting concerns, both verbally and nonverbally. Through this communication a therapeutic relationship (or alliance) is formed. This relationship acts a safe space for you to explore, excavate, evaluate, take new risks, etc. In a large way, engaging in the therapeutic relationship is ‘practise’ for the real world. I, as the therapist, will work with multiple modalities (or theoretical orientations) within our dialogue and engagement, which will serve to help us reflect, challenge, bear to light, collaborate, as well as model things (such as security, compassion, etc.).

Psychotherapy with me is client centered. This means that I look at you as someone who is the expert in your own life. My role is to come alongside you, to reflect some of what I hear you say, and offer insights that can point you back toward solutions that you inherently know to be true. Sometime we just need to process our thoughts and emotions verbally in a way that points us toward the next right thing.

Psychotherapy is deep work that involves a willingness to access painful experiences and emotions so that they can be faced, talked about, and digested. In the beginning of therapy you might feel temporarily worse before you feel better. That’s because you’re allowing yourself to feel the pain you had to numb yourself to in the past in order to survive. But that’s not where we stop. As you release yourself from past hurts and integrate them into your personal narrative, they lose their grip on you. Ultimately, the therapeutic process can lead to new freedoms to be yourself, improve your relationships, and engage in the world in more fulfilling ways. You walk with a lighter step.

Counselling is my life's work. I am in love with learning and do not believe in a "one size fits all" approach to therapy. My first priority is to establish a good relationship with my client(s), to listen and create a safe space for them. I use my instincts, my years of experience and wisdom to customize treatment for each of my clients. I respect the wisdom of each person and believe that counselling can be a collaborative process between therapist and client. I am there to support, encourage, listen with compassion and to guide clients to find their own direction and empowerment. I also teach specific skills for communication, managing depression and anxiety and trauma symptoms.

In my approach to Psychotherapy, I prioritize creating a collaborative and empathetic therapeutic relationship that serves as a safe and confidential space for clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. I draw from a diverse range of therapeutic modalities, tailoring my approach to each client's unique needs and goals. Through active listening, introspection, and evidence-based techniques, clients can expect to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, develop effective coping strategies, and work towards personal growth and positive change.

I practice psychotherapy from a The NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) perspective. This model works with the connection to one's self, the emergence of who they are in their full humanity, and identifying and releasing safety strategies that paradoxically keep us out of connection with ourselves and others. If you would like to allow the emergence of YOU to unfold, please reach out.

I offer psychotherapy that will help you create meaning in your life that you can be proud of and excited by. I believe that as we look inward and gain insight, we begin to makes choices that are true to ourselves. This is when we are living an authentic, healthy life. I will help you to gain that insight and improve your confidence, intuition and choices. Contact me to start making changes today.

The benefits of Psychotherapy with me are: Having a better Understanding of your problem, issue, and or illness Being able to talk freely and openly (helps to relieve stress) Discover what created the issue Discover different ways to manage your feelings, think, behave and practice them Identify your triggers and learn to how manage them Discover how you react to a situation, or things Create and acquire realistic goals Explore new strategies and coping skills Eliminate your anxieties, fears, and insecurities Improve your self-esteem and confidence Improve you problem-solving skills Learn to break old patterns and unhealthy habits Learn to live a life that is healthy and happy for you