Growing up I felt alone, unlovable and anxious, and this got worse as a teen and young adult. I thought that by doing for others I could gain love and acceptance, but didn’t realize I was avoiding my own pain by focussing on others.
I have been on a journey of self-discovery and healing for many years, going to individual and group counselling, attending workshops and studying the teachings of many great thought leaders.
I’ve always been the person people lean on for support, so when it was time for me to make a career change I knew it was time to become a registered counsellor and did so through Clearmind International. Their program is experiential – meaning, everything learned, in theory, is first applied to self, so while learning this new profession I was also able to grow immensely as a person. I learned so much about where my pain came from and who I had to become to survive, and especially, how to heal.
I have been able to see firsthand that change is possible and that we can be who we want to be in this world and live the life we’ve always wanted to.
I look forward to supporting you in your journey.
My approach…
My therapeutic approach comes from a combination of perspectives that include Family Systems Theory, person-centred, Gestalt and transpersonal orientations. Family Systems Theory is based on who you became in the family you grew up in. Gestalt therapy places emphasis on gaining awareness of the present moment and context. Through therapy, people learn to discover feelings that may have been suppressed or masked by other feelings and to accept and trust their emotions. Transpersonal counselling extends beyond the individual or personal psyche, integrating the spiritual experience – it is centred on the spiritual aspects of life (being part of a larger whole).
My initial focus will be on developing a rapport and a trusting relationship with you as this is key in our work together. I will ask you questions about your family, history, values and beliefs, and we will explore how these relate to your current struggles – they are typically a direct result of the pain or trauma we experienced during childhood. Pain/trauma generates emotions that become stuck in our mind and body as energy in our unconscious, affecting our life until we uncover it and process it out, so we can heal these places. We will also examine patterns in your life that may not be serving you, look at the beliefs and values that drive them and explore new possibilities of creating the life you desire.
I will meet you wherever you are at, with immense care and without judgment.
