There are many reasons people come to counselling:

• Needing help through a crisis

• Wanting to change

• Feeling stuck in life

• Personal growth

• Setting aside time for reflection

• So many other reasons!

My mission is to create a safe space for you to feel comfortable, so you can consider and discuss anything that’s going on for you.

If change is your focus, we will work together to figure out where you’re at, where you’d rather be, and how we will get you there.

Despite each person being so different, here are some guiding principles I base my all of my work around:

I’ve studied how people can change, but you will always know more about you.

• What does this mean?

• We will work on your goals, and you are in charge

• When you don’t want to talk about something, I respect that

• I won’t make annoying suggestions without knowing what you’ve tried

• We’ll work at your pace

This approach has a few names, some call it “client led” or “client centered.”

Why is it important?

Sometimes, we go through so much, or we end up in situations that we really want to change, and so part of us wonders if we can trust our own judgment.

Therapy can be an amazing process, where we discover that we have good reasons for being the way we are, and that we all have a natural drive towards self-improvement.

It’s part of my job to support and nurture that instinct, but it comes from within you.

I’ll do my best to make sure you’re getting the best help pssible. 

What does this mean?

•  I see it as an ethical duty to let you know about helpful resources and options

• We can speak openly about rates and treatment plan options

• I’ll actually speak to your other health care providers, and work with them (with your consent)

• If you have cultural, community, or spiritual support that you would like to incorporate into your treatment, I am open and honoured to learn about it

Why is this important?

As my client, your wellbeing is my priority. If there are other professionals that can help, we should consider involving them. For example, sometimes we store so much stress in our bodies, that massage therapy can be helpful in addition to counselling.

In the past, I worked at a health center where I regularly consulted with medical doctors… it was great for our mutual clients. Attacking problems from many angles, and building up a real “self-care” team, is wonderful.

There is so much exciting research happening, improving therapy outcomes, to ignore it would be a huge waste!

You may notice in my about-me or experience section that I am a bit of a nerd.

Yes, research excites me.

For example, did you know that therapists typically think we are good judges of change, but research shows we’re not great at detecting when our clients start feeling worse?

I think that is pretty important to know! Knowing this means I’m aware it’s important to check with you about our progress. 

I could go on about research but…

What does it mean?

• I will always strive to offer up-to date, evidence-based practice

• I’ll regularly be checking that counselling is working for you

• I won’t ever use treatments that are considered ineffective or harmful 

Being a counsellor is such a deeply held honor for me.

If we work together, I want you to know how much I truly appreciate the opportunity to:

• Learn about you, your strengths, and knowledge, 

• Be on your team and support you in your goals,

• Work hard and bring you the best care available