Areas of Expertise
Addiction Recovery
Whether the addictive issue is a substance or a behavior, it's often an attempted solution for other difficulties. And at some point, it likely worked on some level. But that time may have long since passed and there's a need to better understand what's sustaining its' presence in your life.
As an additions counsellor and then as a psychotherapist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, I've helped people struggling with addictive behaviors to reduce shame, cultivate compassion, identify their unmet needs, and develop more effective means of meeting them. Often recognizing the impacts of mental health issues and trauma is a key aspect that supports change.
Healing From Trauma and PTSD
The original use of the word trauma meant "wound". And who of us has not been wounded during our life? The impacts can be limited or more pervasive, including symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Common core challenges include feeling unsafe or threatened, having difficulties trusting or connecting with others, and feeling overwhelmed or numb.
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In my work with people who have trauma histories, the first stage involves developing safety and stability, including reducing harmful coping behaviors and increasing nourishing ones. From this firmer foundation, one can respectfully approach avoided memories and painful feelings in order to process the impacts of what happened. Finally, the insights gained are assimilated into new ways of reconnecting with yourself, others, and the world.
Mood Regulation (Anxiety and Depression Treatment)
Challenges with mood can colour your entire experience. Both anxiety and depressive symptoms can shrink your life, drain your energy, and lead to feelings of hopelessness. Through a compassionate understanding of your reactions to past and present circumstances, a deeper awareness of your needs, and practical strategies for regulating your mood, you can gain freedom from the limitations you've been experiencing.
My Approach
The foundation of my work is based in narrative therapy. This approach creates distance from the problems you're experiencing in order to better understand the story of your life. It helps to identify and articulate dominant narratives that are familiar but may keep you stuck while shining a light on untold aspects that reveal your strengths, skills, and capacity to heal. This supports clients to shift from reacting from an old story based on part of their lives to responding more effectively from a connection with their whole experience.
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Other primary approaches include the use of mindfulness-based therapies and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Each modality I utilize is informed by awareness of the impacts of trauma, the importance of attachment, the need for self-compassion, the search for meaning, and the value of balancing a desire to improve with validation of strengths and resilience.
While I draw from a range of modalities, I prioritize the therapeutic relationship as the driving force for change. Studies repeatedly reveal that modalities account for a small percentage of the effectiveness of a treatment and much more is attributable to the relationship you have with your therapist. We will work together to create the safety, curiosity, and commitment needed to reach your goals.
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For those with a spiritual foundation or an interest in exploring spirituality, I incorporate these ways of understanding the world into the work. I trust in the wisdom of our minds, bodies, and spirits, and would be honoured to work alongside you to uncover yours.
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