My Approach
As a Couple & Family Therapist, I work in ways that are client-centered, strength-based, and compassionate. In my clinical work, I am particularly drawn to narrative therapy, emotion focused therapy and trauma informed practices. I believe we can create powerful change in our lives when we take time to explore the things that may be challenging us, acknowledge and access the strengths we possess, and begin to imagine what we hope for ourselves in creating solutions that work for us.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy allows us to consider ourselves through an intersectional lens, making it possible to notice and be curious about all parts of our identity. Narrative work also uses a sociopolitical perspective which allows us to consider how the context around us and the moments we live within have shaped our lived experiences and how we understand ourselves. Within this work, we begin to understand how we have come to make sense of our selves in life so far. It also presents us with an opportunity to begin to make informed decisions about how to honour these narratives and consider whether there are new or changing narratives to consider that speak to important truths or strengths that may have been overlooked. My hope is that this kind of work allows us to step more fully into our preferred sense of ourselves and our hopes for our lives.
Emotion-Focused Therapy
Emotion focused therapy recognizes the strength and worth of our own emotional cues. This form of therapy encourages us to connect with our emotions in grounded and productive ways, and then use this feedback from our body as we navigate communication with ourselves and others. In relationship work, emotion focused therapy pays special attention to common patterns that often develop during more difficult conversation and helps us to begin to understand what may be lying underneath our frustrations. Ultimately, as we begin to find ways to notice our own process, we are able to build new communication strategies that will help strengthen our important connections with others.
Trauma-Informed Therapy
My clinical work is trauma-informed. This means I am always striving to be mindful of the ways trauma may be present for and impacting the people I am connecting with, knowing that many of us can carry experiences of trauma within our own lives and/or our family’s legacy more broadly. As a result, when I’m connecting with others in therapy I look to find ways to create safety and trust within our relationship. I believe this means being transparent with my clients and ensuring clients are making active choices about their health and healing work.
Additional Approaches
In addition to narrative and emotion-focused practices, I also have training in the following approaches:
somatic embodiment approaches
EMDR (eye movement desensitization re-sensitization)
self compassion practices
solution focused therapy
cognitive behavioural therapy
dialectical behavioural therapy