Services
Mental Health
Mental health is a broad term that encompasses how a person thinks, feels, and acts in their daily life. If you are struggling with your mental health, you might feel anxious, irritable, or sad. You may also experience difficulty sleeping, disengagement from life’s tasks, and disconnection from your important relationships.
When mental health concerns are severe and prolonged, it may be due to a mental illness or disorder. These disorders can seriously impair your thoughts, mood and behaviours and are typically diagnosed by a family doctor or psychiatrist.
I have experience working with the following:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia
Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia
Psychotherapy can help you manage symptoms of mental illness and optimize your mental health. The use of evidence-based tools and strategies, combined with ongoing reflection and discussion, will increase your confidence in navigating your difficult thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
Expertise
Anxiety and Depression
Sleep Disturbance
Stress Management
Self-Esteem
Life Transitions
Substance Use
Alcohol and drug use can be viewed on a continuum ranging from non-use (abstinence) to dependency (continued use despite negative consequences). Some people identify with being at either end of the continuum, and many people fall somewhere in between.
Some warning signs that alcohol or drug use may be becoming problematic include:
Family or friends commenting on your use
Difficulty maintaining commitments at work or home
Attempting to control your use
Using to cope with stress and emotions
Blackouts
It takes courage to look honestly at your substance use, and to think about making a change. I provide a safe and stigma-free space to explore topics like harm reduction, withdrawal, cravings, treatment options, and relapse prevention.
Expertise
Abstinence / Sober Curious
Harm Reduction
Withdrawal and Cravings
Relapse Prevention
Codependency
Trauma & PTSD
Trauma typically refers to our emotional and psychological responses to a distressing event. This event could have directly happened to you, or maybe you witnessed it or learned about it happening to a close family member or friend. Common responses to the event can include:
Disturbing dreams and/or flashbacks
Avoiding reminders or memories of the event
Blaming yourself
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling distant from others
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop if these responses become severe and prolonged. Research has shown, however, that you do not need to be formally diagnosed with PTSD to benefit from trauma therapy. The evidence-based models I work with are designed to help reduce the frequency and intensity of responses to the event, and to promote post-traumatic growth.
Expertise
Sexual Assault
Childhood Abuse & Neglect
Traumatic Grief
Medical Trauma
Life Threatening Events
Supporting Loved Ones
It is natural to want to support someone you care about when they are struggling with a mental health or substance use challenge. Many people worry about saying or doing the wrong thing.
My psychotherapy practice will provide you with an opportunity to explore how best to respond to your loved one while also tuning into and honouring your own needs. Clients are often curious about things like tips for better communication and how to set realistic boundaries.
Every Successful Journey Starts With A First Step
A free 20-minute virtual consultation with me will help us decide if we’d be a good fit to work together.