My Counselling Approach
My Philosophy: Therapy That Gets to the Heart of Your Struggles
My philosophy is based on the understanding that you can’t truly heal what you can’t see; lasting change begins when you heal what is at the root of your struggles.
Most people come to therapy focused on a specific problem. Something is painful, something feels stuck, or something in life isn't working. Helping you get relief from your initial concerns is where we begin.
But most struggles have roots that go deeper than what you are dealing with right now. It might be a pattern that keeps repeating itself, no matter how hard you try to break it. It could be an unhelpful belief about yourself, or a past experience that never fully healed, and it continues to affect you in ways you may not even recognize.
When we get to the root level, profound healing can occur.
At that deeper level, overwhelming feelings become more manageable. Reactions that felt out of control no longer dictate your responses.
Relationships that felt painful shift, and it becomes easier to get what you need to feel better about yourself and your life. You start to feel calmer, more grounded, and more at peace.
My Counselling Style: Warm, Honest, and Genuinely Present
My approach is grounded, direct, and compassionate. Due to my empathic nature, I listen carefully without judgement and ask questions to better understand you. I often sense what is beneath the surface, sometimes before you have found the words yourself.
My training as both a counsellor and a social worker means I see you as a unique individual within the context of your whole life - your family, your culture, and the world you work and live in.
I help you draw on the strengths you already have to build resilience as we move forward. Ultimately, the goal is to help you move from understanding to action by turning what you discover about yourself into strategies that work for you in your everyday life.
Counselling Methods: Evidence-Based, Trauma-Informed, and Tailored to You
My training includes a wide range of research-backed approaches: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mindfulness Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and more.
My work is trauma-informed, which means I understand how past difficult or traumatic experiences live in the body and the nervous system that can’t be reached through talking alone. Some of these approaches include EMDR, Somatic therapy, IFS, Art and therapy.
Others, like CBT and DBT, help you shift the thoughts and patterns that are keeping you stuck. And others, like IFS, help you understand, access, and heal different parts of yourself, especially those that feel stuck, protective, or in conflict.
Part of my job is finding what works for you at any given point in our work together. I pay close attention to how you are responding and adjust the methods accordingly.
What to Expect: Counselling That Moves at Your Pace
We begin with a free 20-minute inquiry call: a relaxed, no-obligation conversation to see if working together feels right.
If we decide to work together, we begin with what is most pressing for you.
Early in our work together, we also create a map of your life, beginning with early experiences and relationships. This often reveals connections and patterns you hadn't seen before, and gives us important insights into what has shaped you and your struggles.
From there, we follow what emerges, and working through these layers is what leads to lasting relief rather than temporary change.
Whatever therapy approach we use, we work gently, at your pace, with you leading the way.
Sessions are 50 minutes. I see clients in person and online. Some evening appointments are available.
Ready to Take the First Step?
REACHING OUT IS OFTEN THE HARDEST PART
A free 20-minute inquiry call is a low-pressure way to start: a chance for you to ask questions, get a feel for how I work, and decide if this feels right for you.
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You have nothing to lose, and potentially everything to gain.
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A better life and a deeper connection to yourself are possible.
To make an appointment or ask any questions, please contact me at 672-336-3732 or contact me below. My Offices are located in Vancouver and Surrey. Some evening appointments are available.