My Approach to Helping
I have been a practicing therapist for over 35 years, and continue to feel engaged and passionate about my work. I make use of a wide variety of theories and professional strategies to assist my clients in reaching their goals. As well, I draw on the experience I have gained and the things that I have learned from those I have had the privilege of helping in the past, and from my own life experiences.
I believe that the power of therapy to assist people to find their own wisdom and to find healing for themselves is very strongly influenced by the relationship between the therapist and the client. As a therapist, I can be nurturing and supportive, and I can also be direct and provocative, depending on what my client needs most. Regardless of which style works best for each person, I am always respectful and non-judgmental and willing to work as hard as you do to move through whatever you are struggling with.
More Info About My Practice
Current fee rate is available on my website. As a Registered Social Worker, I am covered or partially covered by many extended healthcare plans through the workplace.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
I have had a great deal of experience in helping people to heal wounds from childhood, whether it be abuse of some sort, dysfunction in families or neglect through unmet needs. These issues often manifest as relationship problems, in job issues or in depression, anxiety or stress. A majority of my clients seek out therapy because of the manifestations of these issues, and find, that through healing past issues, present manifestations can be resolved.
I have also developed some strong skills in assisting couples through relationship crisis, including coming to decisions about the vitality of a relationship, as well as discovering new ways of communicating that have helped couples to turn back toward one another. I have been trained in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and have completed level 2 of The Gottman Method for couple's therapy.
How Psychotherapy Can Help
The experience of being heard, and hearing your own voice and your own story is a powerful thing. Sometimes, in hearing their voice, often for the first time, individuals can begin to know and understand themselves in ways that they have not previously experienced. This "being heard" takes a skilled and patient listener.
For others, psychotherapy provides a way to gather information about a situation or about oneself that allows for access to strategies in behaviour and even thought, that are new and different from what one has previously tried or thought about.
As well, psychotherapy can provide a corrective experience of trust, nurturing, compassion and relationship that can be immensely beneficial to people who have had wounds in these areas of their emotional self.
Finally, it is often remarkably helpful to have input about a life situation that comes from someone who is "outside" of us - our circle of family and friends, who doesn't have any preconceived notion about us, and who can provide, from this place, a fresh perspective and reflection of us as people, and of our context.
