Experiential trauma and attachment-focused therapy.
Together in relationship, we can transform the root of your suffering and harness your inherent capacity to heal by connecting with your body, emotions, and core beliefs.
Working with me
Informed by the neurobiology of learning and transformation, I seek to guide you to have new experiences in therapy, with the goal of achieving change that is meaningful for you.
I believe that a diverse array of symptoms and disorders have a similar origin: at some point, they emerged to protect you. Through exploring the meaning of these symptoms, we can address unmet needs and unaddressed harms and allow you to move forward with greater freedom. This often involves experiencing and expressing emotion and working with your body’s wisdom.
Other problems can be linked to the general process of avoidance – of feelings, of difficult experiences, of reality, of your true desires, and more. With your consent, I will gently support you to face what you have been avoiding and step into a closer relationship with yourself and your life.
Sometimes what we need most is a compassionate witness. I offer a strong and connected presence when you need accompaniment through grief, loss, and times of transition.
I work from a foundation of deep respect for your inherent wisdom and expertise on your own life. I know that our individual experiences are inextricably linked to the economic, cultural, and political systems we exist within. These systems can make it really difficult to feel safe and supported and to connect with our deepest purpose.
Within these structural constraints, therapy is a place we can ask ourselves: where do I have agency in my life? What meaning do I choose to make of this situation? What is important to me, and how can I live in alignment with my values?
Areas of support
I have a transdiagnostic philosophy – I believe many discrete conditions are caused by similar underlying issues such as trauma, emotional dysregulation, experiential avoidance, and chronic stress due to structural oppression. However, here are some areas I have experience treating. If you do not see your “thing” on the list, please don’t worry – I am likely ready to meet you there.
How I work
01
Experiential/emotion-focused
Evidence suggests that therapy is most effective when the client has transformative experiences, processing from the “inside out” or “bottom up”. This is often via emotional experiencing and expressing, but can take other forms too, such as reprocessing a past event, identifying core beliefs, or doing “parts work”. Experiential work helps you connect with your feelings, beliefs, and desires, leading to new insights and a greater sense of wholeness.
02
Relational
Therapy is, at its core, healing through relationship. Trauma is the result of overwhelming emotion experienced without adequate support or connection; therefore, undoing aloneness is a beautiful and healing aspect of therapy. The therapeutic relationship constitutes a secure base from which to process trauma and embark on growth and transformation.
03
Attachment
Human beings have a uniquely lengthy period of infancy, during which we are totally dependent on our caregivers for survival. When we sense that the attachment relationship is threatened, this is experienced as a threat to our very survival, and we adapt in whatever ways we can to maintain the relationship. Often this requires us to negate our feelings of anger or repress parts of ourselves that seem to displease our caregivers. Therapy can offer a reparative experience in which we reclaim these parts of ourselves and experience the forbidden emotions of the past.
01
Collaborative
Your active participation and empowerment is crucial for success in therapy. I am not here to impose goals upon you; I am here to support you in your own journey of identifying and achieving your goals. Working from a basis of trust, consent, and safety is non-negotiable for me. This doesn’t mean I am simply there to validate you; I am committed to your success in therapy, and I will encourage you to challenge yourself when needed
02
Spiritual/existential
I value the spiritual, magical, religious, existential, philosophical, artistic, creative, holy. I never impose this on clients, but if you are seeking to explore your relationship with this area, I am ready to meet you there. I also integrate mindfulness into sessions when relevant and desired.
03
Anti-oppressive
Lots of modern therapy is targeted at getting workers back in the workplace and ensuring their productivity. While I believe that meaningful work is an essential part of being human, under neoliberal capitalism work is often more exploitative than meaningful. I want therapy to help you feel and function better, but on your own terms and for your own purposes.
I also acknowledge the often-harmful impact of our social, economic, and political systems on our wellbeing and sense of self, especially for those with marginalized identities. If there are structural forces at play in your life, I want our work to honour and acknowledge that. This validation and accompaniment can be powerful in and of itself. And it can allow us to explore the places you do have power and agency, however small.
Modalities
I work from an integrative perspective, with AEDP as my therapeutic “home base”. AEDP is an experiential, relational, trauma-focused approach that helps facilitate positive neuroplasticity via corrective emotional and relational experiences. I have been influenced by and/or formally trained in the following approaches:
About me
I have an open and curious mind, reflected in my work experience in addictions, homelessness, acute care, neurorehabilitation, queer services, dive bars, and on stage as a musician. These diverse experiences prepare me to meet your unique history with compassion and acceptance. I’ve worked in helping roles for over ten years.
I bring my authentic self to our work: loving and direct, accepting and challenging, serious and playful, creative and analytical, grounded and passionate, queer AF and open to all.
Outside of my therapy practice, I also work as a musician. Beyond these vocations, I love cooking, reading, watching films, spiritual practice, being with friends and family, and experiencing nature.
Ready to book?
Click here to book a free 15-minute consultation, or dive right into a full first session.