About Me

I use EMDR psychotherapy, borrowing from other therapies as well, to address a wide variety of concerns, including trauma and dissociation - major traumas, and "smaller" traumas that aren't always labelled as such - long-ago hurts that still affect today's life. My clients often have thoughts, feelings, or beliefs that are distressing, or they do things that they don't understand and don't like. These things make their life difficult. Sometimes they have worked long and hard to try to change, and may report they have many skills and coping strategies, but still suffer from feelings or behaviours they just can’t seem to shift. They may feel frustrated and critical of themselves, and say things like, “I know I should be doing better.” It may also be that someone has never sought help before, thinking this is just the way things are. But over time they find it more and more difficult to function, or to find enjoyment in things that used to make them happy. Experience has shown me that everyone is doing the best they can, and that behaviours or symptoms that are causing distress have evolved for a reason, even if the reason isn’t immediately apparent. A person doesn’t have to know what's wrong in order to see me. Our focus is symptom relief and we will work together to understand and heal the underlying issues. I believe every person has the ability to grow given the right opportunity and support. My focus is on how the past affects the present, even if a person can't see the connection. I understand that while situations feel hopeless, there are ways to use what we know of the science of the brain to find new options. Having worked in community mental health for several years, I'm familiar with the psychiatric diagnoses, including borderline personality disorder. I feel strongly that criticism has no place in therapy, so I provide the opportunity to apply a client-centred focus to support clients to understand and heal underlying issues, and find relief.