Reaching out for counselling is such a brave and loving act! It can feel overwhelming to navigate things alone, especially without the kind of support or guidance you might need. Therapy can offer a space where you don’t have to figure out everything on your own. It can help us feel less alone in what we’re carrying, gain clarity and create meaningful change. As a long-term process, it can be very transformative and rewarding. By committing to this work, we get to know ourselves more deeply and cultivate skills and practices that help us navigate life’s challenges. And as we work through our fears and wounds, we create space to move toward the things we truly desire.

Therapy is also collaborative at its core. Your agency is central, and we go at whatever pace feels okay for you. Your voice and choice matter immensely and will always be respected. You get to decide what feels safe and important for you, and what doesn’t align. I also want to make clear that I don’t see it as my role to just give advice, ‘fix’ what’s wrong, or tell you how to live your life. Instead, I see our work as us coming together to explore what’s happening for you and how we can move through it, with your best interests at heart. You are the expert on your own life, and I’m here to offer what I can- my presence, perspective, and best effort to facilitate this process in a way that feels supportive. We can go with the flow and make room for whatever comes up, balancing spontaneity with structure. There’s also space to have fun, be creative, joke around, and play! Embracing lightness is just as important as sitting with heaviness, and we can hold both together.

I truly believe the relational aspect of therapy is the foundation of the work we do together. The relationships I build with clients are among the most meaningful aspects of my practice. Each one is unique, as we find our own rhythm and discover new ways of connecting with each other over time. The therapeutic relationship can also be a unique opportunity to explore and embody new ways of being and relating within a supportive container- something I seek to offer my clients. I hope to build a relationship rooted in mutual respect, where they feel safe to express what they’re thinking and feeling, knowing that my intention is to receive them with openness and curiosity.

As a relational therapist, I notice how we relate to one another in the room and stay attuned to my client’s experience by checking in regularly, making gentle observations, and inviting feedback. I also try to see how things are landing for them, make sure I’m understanding them correctly, and I’m honest if I think I might be missing something. I create space for them to share any hesitations or adjustments they’d like to make, and clarify what they would like to give attention to in each session. I also focus on deepening our relationship by sharing my own experience as appropriate, working through any ruptures that might arise, and expressing genuine appreciation or concern. That being said, I understand that trust is earned and takes time to build. There’s absolutely no pressure to share anything before one is ready. I deeply value the moments when clients let me into their world, and do my best to honour their vulnerability by holding their stories with care.

I regularly check in with my clients to see if I’ve understood something accurately or if I might be missing anything, and I’m honest when I sense that I’m not fully grasping something. I initiate conversations about how the process is feeling, asking if there’s anything they would like to be different, or what has felt supportive so far. I make sure to explicitly mention that their feedback is always welcome, and that they have full agency over their pace and participation - that they don’t need to engage in any exercise or topic they don’t wish to or feel ready for. I ask about any concerns or requests they may have as the process unfolds and new themes begin to emerge. I also make a practice of checking in about the direction they’d like to take, what they want to focus on, or what they hope to get from the session, to ensure we stay aligned on what we’re working towards.

Additionally, I believe in psycho-educating my clients and sharing the intention behind certain approaches or interventions as appropriate. I want them to understand where I’m coming from, so they can assess whether it resonates with them and feels relevant (I see this as a part of demystifying the therapy process and making it more transparent and collaborative).

I also pay close attention to my own felt sense and intuition, which I’ve come to see as a valuable resource that guides me in my work. If something seems off or like it isn’t landing well, I’ll share what I’m sensing to create space for dialogue. I also observe and track shifts in tone, energy and body language as a way to attune to my client’s experience. I may gently bring up what I’m noticing and try to meet them where they are at. By being fully present with them in the here and now, and offering my reflections in a thoughtful way, I hope to help my clients feel truly seen. I seek to center their voice, and am always open to making adjustments that better support their needs and help us work more effectively together.

One of the greatest learnings in my work has been that presence is one of the most powerful things we can offer. Simply being with someone, with tenderness and attunement, without rushing or fixing, can be profoundly healing. Over time, I’ve also come to see how much of our wellbeing has to do with the quality of our relationships and how we treat ourselves. Therapy often invites a return into connection - with our inner world, with others, and with life itself. It’s a process of revisiting what hurts, accessing what’s needed, and making space for what matters, at our own pace.

Through my work with clients, I’ve learned to deeply trust each person’s inner resourcefulness and their body’s intelligence. There is no fixed timeline, as we cannot rush healing. Paradoxically, slowing down is often what makes things go faster. And as we move through this process, I’ve seen how acceptance and change go hand in hand. When we make room for what is, transformation can follow more organically.

Most of all, I’ve come to understand that everything makes sense in context. What we often label as symptoms are signals that something inside us needs care and attention. Our patterns are adaptations shaped by what we’ve lived through and the systems around us. This non-pathologizing perspective shapes how I see people - not as problems to be fixed, but as whole beings doing their best to survive and grow in a complex, messy world.

My approach is trauma-focused and integrates relational, somatic, and parts work. Some of the modalities I draw from include the Internal Family Systems model, Integral Somatic Psychology, Mindfulness, and Humanistic-Existential therapy. 

As a trauma-focused practitioner, I truly respect how our minds and bodies adapt to overwhelming life experiences.. Together, we can explore how your past influences the present and how it may be connected to the challenges you face now, honoring the ways you’ve learned to cope and protect yourself over time. With compassion, and at your own pace, we can gently turn toward any wounds you carry and begin to heal them. I see therapy as a collaborative process where we journey into your inner world and get to know the different parts of you. By meeting these parts with openness and curiosity, we can deepen your understanding of yourself and create more space for connection and change. 

I believe the mind and body are inseparable, and bring a somatic orientation to support healing in a holistic way. (The imprint of our lives is held in the body, and learning to listen to and work with it can be transformative!) We begin by tuning into your body’s signals and responses, and focus on developing your capacity to stay with and process emotions. We can also work on building skills that help you regulate your state, shift or channel energy, and may include some psychoeducation to better understand our nervous system and stress responses. 

Being a relational therapist, I also pay close attention to how our early relationships shape the way we relate to ourselves and others, including how these patterns emerge in the therapy room. I notice not just what we talk about, but how we interact with each other- including the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that arise in the here-and-now. We can explore how the dynamics between us might mirror broader patterns in your life, and experiment with new ways of relating within a safe container. I see our alliance as a vital part of the healing process, and do my best to attune to your needs and offer a space that can hold the spectrum of your experiences! Throughout our work, we can regularly check in, make adjustments, or shift direction as needed to co-create a process that feels empowering and aligned with your goals.

Holding a safe space for queer and trans folks in my practice begins with not making assumptions about anyone’s identity or personhood (right from the intake process) and embodying a nonjudgmental, compassionate presence that invites each person to show up as they are. I make sure to use inclusive and affirming language, respect and affirm pronouns, and remain open to correction and feedback if I misstep. I check in regularly and invite conversations around identity when they feel relevant or important to the client, while also being mindful not to center these topics unless the client wants to. I also validate different relationship structures and create space for conversations around community, belonging, and alternate ways of living and loving. 

I bring a systemic, non-pathologizing lens to therapy, acknowledging the broader cultural contexts and societal messaging that shape our inner and outer realities. Empowerment is a central focus in my work, and I make a practice of sharing relevant queer-affirmative resources, group spaces and community events with clients based on what would be supportive for them. Beyond the therapy room, I believe in advocacy and allyship. I’m lucky to have diverse folks in my life, which helps me stay attuned to some of the unique challenges and strengths that come with queer values and lived experiences. I take initiative to keep learning and unlearning through personal reflection and questioning, self-study, attending workshops/events, engaging with queer media and literature, supporting queer voices and artists. This ongoing process is part of my inner work, and helps me show up with sensitivity.