Frequently Asked Questions
An effective counselling relationship is the foundation of successful treatment. Like any relationship, finding a counsellor who is a good fit can take time, effort, and a little bit of luck. Not everyone will be a good match – that’s okay, and that’s normal. I welcome you to speak with me to see if we might be a good match for what you’re looking for.
To make us the best fit possible for you, I am committed to tailoring my approach to your needs. I seek feedback regularly to ensure you are getting the experience you want out of therapy. Ultimately, I strive to co-create a counselling relationship where you feel courageous and safe enough to tell me what does and does not work for you.
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And while counselling is a serious commitment, laughter is also healing medicine; so we will likely share some lighter moments while also doing challenging work.
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Tailored to you.What works for you and what you need is my priority, and I will seek feedback regularly to ensure you are getting what you want out of therapy.
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Strengths are honoured.You’ve gotten this far in your life and in your relationships, which tells me that you have a wellspring of innate strengths that can be called upon and developed further to support you to create the life you want.
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Trauma-Informed Practice.I consider how adverse life experiences may impact our work, and take steps to make sure you feel safe and comfortable through respectful curiosity, collaboration, and regular check-ins.
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Here-and-now.I focus on what is happening in the consultation room, in the here-and-now; the more we have a different in-the-moment experience, the more our body can re-calibrate and shift old adverse experiences into new helpful ways of being.
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Relational.Often how we show up in the consultation room is how we show up in the real world. Knowing this, I will be curious about how you experience our relationship, and its impact on you.
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Attachment-focused.From birth to death, our relationships with others impact us to our core both positively and negatively. Through developing a strong relationship, I hope to help you feel more secure in your relationships with others.
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Emotion-focused.Emotions do three things for us: they provide us information, they help to make order from the chaos of life, and they motivate us. There is a saying "no bad emotions, only bad expression." Thus, I will accept your emotions as they come up, and be curious about what they're trying to tell you.
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Systemic.No one is an island. We are all influenced by what's going on inside of us, the people and circumstances that influence us beyond our control, and the larger structures of society that have an impact on us. In terms of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, if your basic needs for safety, security, food and shelter are not met, this will have a profound impact on how you experience life. I take a "personal is political" approach to be mindful of the ways "the person is not the problem, the problem is the problem."
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Culturally sensitive.We are each part of multiple cultural pockets, whether it is our family, a friend group, a group based on some shared diversity factors. To support you, I strive to develop my understanding of cultures different than my own; and where I am unfamiliar, I take a curious and affirmative stance towards cultural practices that you believe are impacting your mental, physical, and spiritual health.
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Past informs present.Past experiences leave their imprint on us, from even before we could talk. Childhood is an explosion of brain development - which largely continues through to our late twenties; so there are times when having a better sense of what came before can help us for what comes next.
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Living into a preferred story.Since time immemorial, humans have been storytellers. Sharing personal narratives, crafting metaphors, and imagining the future can bring order to what might otherwise feel like a chaotic experience of living.
Ready to get started?
Get in touch.
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If you have comments or questions, please send me a message or call/text 672-202-3956. I do my best to respond within 24-48 hours.
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In-person sessions are offered by appointment at the DataTech Business Centre (1095 McKenzie Ave Suite 300, Victoria, BC V8P 2L5).
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TYPICAL CLINIC HOURS
Monday: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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*See online booking system for availability.
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