Making the decision to come to therapy is often a difficult first step towards getting the help you need. Sometimes, finding the right therapist can feel even more challenging. I hope the information below gives you a sense of my therapeutic approach, and whether it might be a good fit for you.

I specialize in adult therapy that addresses a wide range of difficulties, including depression, anxiety, trauma, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, body dysmorphia, emotion regulation issues, sex/intimacy issues, and interpersonal/relational difficulties (among others). My approach to therapy integrates several theories of human psychological development—primarily from psychodynamic, trauma-informed, and emotion-focused perspectives. In exploring your psychological development, I begin to understand the ways in which your past has shaped how you experience yourself and relate to others in close relationships. I also routinely administer psychological questionnaires to help me understand the nature of your difficulties. Treatment typically focuses on improving resilience, authenticity, and healthy interdependence in your relationships.

In individual therapy, we begin by exploring what led you to seek support (“Why now?”). I also want to hear about how you have coped up until this point. For a few sessions, we will spend most of our time discussing your past (i.e., childhood-to-present) and assessing your present symptoms. This helps me develop a good understanding of any challenging experiences that are contributing to your difficulties. From here, therapy generally consists of three core components: 1) improving insight / understanding (exploring recurring emotional patterns, relationship dynamics, and unconscious processes that contribute to your difficulties), 2) learning about core emotional experiences (why we have emotions, how they function as important signals, why accessing them can improve decision making and relationships), and 3) building capacities / learning skills (if needed, improve specific skills such as emotion regulation, non-confrontational communication, healthy boundary setting, etc.). We then work on taking what we learn in therapy and integrating this into your day-to-day life.

In couples therapy, our initial session is used to explore your relationship history, current struggles, and collaboratively establish goals for our work together. Then, I conduct an individual session with each partner to deepen my understanding of each person’s experience in the relationship. After these individual sessions, we reconvene for joint sessions to address the most salient issues identified in your relationship. This may include improving intimacy (emotional, physical, and/or sexual), repairing bonds after infidelity/betrayal, managing conflicts related to finances, parenting, extended family dynamics (e.g., navigating difficult in-laws) and other shared decisions. I also support couples in which one or both partners are facing challenging life circumstances, such as chronic physical or mental health issues.

I am a PhD candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Ottawa. As the final stage of my doctoral training, I am completing my residency at CFIR under the supervision of Dr. Dino Zuccarini, C. Psych., and Dr. Erica Tatham, C. Psych. Previously, I completed practicum placements at the Centre for Psychological Services and Research, the Montfort Hospital and with the Orleans Psychological Health Team. My graduate research focuses on body image issues, and I have co-authored scientific research articles and regularly presented my research findings at international academic conferences. I have also recently designed and taught an undergraduate course on body image at the University of Ottawa.

Professional Affiliations:

2021-Present                                     Ontario Psychological Association

2013-2017; 2021-Present                Canadian Psychological Association