Whether you are seeking therapy for the first time or returning after previous experiences, I recognize that beginning this journey can feel both hopeful and intimidating. My goal is to provide a space that invites reflection and a sense of emotional safety, where your experiences can be expressed and recognized. My aim is help us both understand and get a “good grasp” on your experiences as well as gain insight into patterns of behaving, feeling and being with others in your life, to develop meaningful and lasting change. I look forward to working alongside you as you move toward the type of self you are trying to become.

Individual Therapy: I work with adolescents, young adults and adults experiencing a broad range of psychological concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, relationship difficulties, emotion regulation challenges, workplace stress, self-esteem concerns, and difficulties related to identity and overall meaning.

I also support individuals navigating major life changes, family conflict, interpersonal difficulties, and the emotional impact of chronic stress or an overwhelming experience. I strive to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel safe and also motivated in exploring both – their current concerns, and the experiences that have shaped who they are.

Couples Therapy: I also work with couples who are experiencing communication difficulties, conflict, relationship distress, emotional disconnection, parenting challenges, and life transitions. Together, we explore patterns of interaction, strengthen communication, foster greater emotional understanding and awareness, and build healthier, more satisfying relationships. My approach emphasizes creating a respectful space where each person’s perspective is understood and where meaningful dialogue can occur.

My approach: I work under the assumption that “no single style of therapy fits all”. As a result, I tend to use different techniques and tools from different therapy modalities grounded in scientific evidence to inform my work, which can connect with you based on your specific needs. I believe that emotional difficulties often develop for understandable reasons and that meaningful change begins with understanding both –  the symptoms clients experience and the underlying patterns –  and systems involved that maintain these symptoms.

Depending on your needs (in other words, that which resonates with you, connects with you, makes sense to you), concerns and life history, I often integrate and draw from tools from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), skills from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy and attachment-based perspectives. I also place a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship that forms between therapist-client and what our patterns of relating in a therapeutic setting may tell us about how you also relate with others in the world.

What you can expect from me: In our first sessions together, I will take the time to understand your concerns, your personal history and the goals that are important to you. I also conduct a comprehensive understanding (what we call, a “case conceptualization”) of your difficulties to develop a clear understanding of the factors contributing to your current challenges. I will “run” my ideas by you – as to what I think about how your previous experience and current concerns may be related – and  together, we will develop a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. I will try my best to combine practical strategies to reduce distress with opportunities to deepen insight into recurring emotional and interpersonal patterns. My goal is not only to help alleviate symptoms but also to support lasting change that allows you to live in greater alignment with your values, relationships, and sense of self.

I will ask questions about your history and remain curious about your experiences. I will also share my thoughts and perspectives regarding your concerns. I offer compassion and support while also challenging you to reflect, grow, and work toward becoming the person you want to be.

My background: I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). I have been providing psychotherapy for 10 years to individuals across the life span. I have a doctorate (Ed.D) in counselling psychology and psychotherapy and a master’s degree (M.Ed.) in counselling psychology and psychotherapy, from the University of Toronto.

Throughout my clinical training and work experience, I have worked in a variety of hospital (in-patient and outpatient) and private psychological practice settings across Southern Ontario, providing individual, group, couples, family, and parent therapy. My experience includes working within intensive inpatient and outpatient mental health programs, treating individuals experiencing significant trauma-related symptoms (migratory trauma, childhood trauma), PTSD (in first responders and military), emotion regulation difficulties, addiction, anxiety, depression and personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder. I have also worked extensively with military members, first responders, and individuals experiencing occupational stress injuries, supporting clients as they recover from trauma and rebuild meaningful lives.

Lastly, I have experience facilitating group psychotherapy, conducting psychological assessments as part of multidisciplinary teams and supervising master level clinicians in psychotherapy.

I remain committed to ongoing professional development and to integrating emerging psychological research into my clinical practice so that clients receive compassionate, thoughtful, and up-to date informed care.