Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful parts of us.
- David Richo
Below are some of the reasons you may be seeking a therapist for yourself or your child and how I can help.
Anxiety
Living with anxiety can feel exhausting and debilitating. Although we all experience anxiety from time to time (sometimes, it can even be helpful!) you don't want it to feel like it's getting in the way of your everyday life. Maybe anxiety is holding you back from enjoying a relationship or experience. Maybe it's stopping you from doing things you used to enjoy, or want to enjoy. However it's manifesting in your life, anxiety can feel like a beast to tackle alone. Together, we will work to get to the root of the anxiety and learn coping tools to manage it effectively.
Depression
Depression can make you feel like it's impossible to imagine that something can be done to help you. Depression by its very nature is isolating, but you don't need to walk through it alone. You may be experiencing depressive symptoms if you struggle to connect with close ones, experience low motivation, low energy, suicidal ideation, persistent feelings of sadness or struggle to take enjoyment in previously enjoyable activities. These symptoms may vary from person to person. They may be prolonged, in response to a hardship, or for reasons you just can't seem to understand. Together, we can unpack what's going on, challenge those negative thought patterns and come up with a plan to tackle depression.
* If you are experiencing suicidal ideation and have a plan to act on them, please call 1-800-SUICIDE, available 24/7 in British Columbia.
Relationship Conflict
Relationships can be complex, and the conflict experienced can take many forms including trust issues, boundary issues, parenting challenges, communication problems, intimacy struggles (emotional and/or sexual), or conflict around power/control.
Whether you are experiencing conflict with a family member, child, romantic partner, coworker or friend, I'm here to help you move through it. We will work together to help you gain a greater understanding of yourself and others so your relationships can work through conflict in a healthy way.
Grief & Loss
Grief is a natural part of dealing with the loss of a loved one, a situation, or a way in which we see ourselves. Loss requires that we change the way things used to be and find a new way to restructure our lives accordingly. As a therapist, I can help you better understand the grief process as well as provide a space to honour who or what you are grieving.
Life Transitions
We are creatures of habit. We crave stability and resist change. When something happens to disrupt this stability, we can become easily discombobulated and it’s normal to need support. Some transitions can include the birth of a child, the loss of a loved one, illness, divorce or separation, moving, or career changes. No matter what transition in your life you are experiencing, I'm here to walk it with you.
Trauma
Experiencing psychological trauma can effect our mind, body and behaviour. There are varying degrees of trauma that a person can experience. It may have been one event or a reoccurring one. Trauma that both children and adults may experience include but are not limited to: parental abandonment or neglect, physical, verbal or sexual abuse, witnessing an act of violence or a death, family separation, illness or injury, oppression, poverty and forced displacement. And more collectively, we are navigating ecological trauma. Symptoms of trauma can manifest in different ways that may include anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, nightmares, anger/irritability, guilt/shame, and feelings of disconnect from ourselves, others and our physical environment. These symptoms are often our body's response to being in survival mode. However, our bodies and brains are resilient. Together, we can process what you have been through so you can regain a sense of control over your life and an increased understanding of your experiences.
Disordered Eating
I'm a trained clinician in Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy. I work most commonly with women and youth to overcome disordered eating patterns, and help them to better understand their relationship with their body. An important & unique aspect in my approach to this work is looking at the larger societal context of diet-culture & fat-phobia. Only when we understand the impact of these externalized messages, can we look to talk back to our Disordered Eating Voice. I assist clients in accessing their intuitive voice around food, exercise and well-being to begin recovery.
Self Exploration
Sometimes certain events, feelings of boredom or stagnation, conflicts and important life decisions require us to dig deep and look inward. As a depth-focused therapist, we may explore self-exploration more symbolically through sandtray or art. As an existential therapist, part of my approach is rooted in introspective & socratic questioning to open dialogue for deeper understanding. Self-exploration at any stage of life is necessary to maintain alignment with ourselves and our psyche.
