My Style & Approach

My approach to therapy starts with you: who you are, your most important relationships, the challenges you might be facing, and your best hopes for the life you want to live. I take a compassionate, collaborative, and trauma-informed approach as I listen to your story and as we explore new and empowering strategies for navigating the many challenges and upheavals that life deals us. Working with me, you will find a calm presence who is able to hear and talk about the tough stuff without judgment or shame. Over the years I’ve learned that applying a bit of gentle humor in hard times can give us courage and resilience. Your problems do not define you or diminish your worth—together we can uncover the best ways for you to take steps towards a more loving and authentic relationship with yourself and others.

My therapeutic approach draws from a variety of evidence-based therapies including solutions-focused, narrative, internal family systems, and somatic-based therapies. I believe in taking a trauma-informed and integrative approach that accounts for the whole person (body, mind, and spirit) and is adaptable to fit my client’s unique needs. I am sensitive to how culture, identity, and systems of oppression can shape our personal struggles and relationships. My guiding principles as a therapist are anti-racist, anti-ableist, and LGBTQA2S+ affirming. I work to embody cultural humility and responsiveness with my clients and am committed to a practice of self-reflection, and life-long learning in areas related to social justice, and forms of interpersonal and systemic oppression.

Whatever challenges you might be facing, I can help you hold hope for positive change and accompany you as you rewrite the story of your life to better reflect your authentic self and deepest values.

Education, Training, & Professional Development

I am currently a student at Yorkville University in the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program. I have come to psychotherapy as a second career—a vocation that has grown out of my first career as a post-secondary teacher. I hold a PhD in English from Queen’s University, an M. Phil. from Oxford University and a B.A. from the University of Toronto. As a teacher, I have had the privilege of supporting a diverse set of students of all ages as they navigate what is often a stressful time and work towards their goals. My work in education dovetails with my desire to collaborate with my clients as they overcome personal challenges and work towards building lives that reflect their cherished values and goals. As a lifelong learner, I look forward to further study and development in the areas of somatic therapy, Internal Family Systems, and healing trauma. 

Personal interests

Outside of work, I spend time reading, cooking, and listening to music and podcasts. I love the outdoors and seek out time spent in nature walking in the woods or parks with my friends and beloved dog, Rumi. Yoga and meditation have long been an important part of my life, and recently, I have been learning Qi Gong. I write stories and personal essays. I love to sing and make things with textiles and paper. I believe creativity is our birthright and find that my creative practices help me be more present, courageous, and open to life.