Find a Therapist in Port Moody, British Columbia.

In the practice of psychotherapy, I believe in an eclectic approach that considers human beings holistically, taking into account emotions, the body, mind, and social and cultural factors. Everyone embarks on a unique journey; at the core of my practice is a commitment to honor the wisdom within each individual and their right to pursue their own path of healing and self-discovery. In this collaborative process, I assist clients in increasing self-awareness, learning skills to manage and express emotions, processing unhelpful feelings and traumatic past experiences, enhancing emotional intelligence, improving relationship satisfaction, and fostering self-empowerment and personal growth.

My approach in psychotherapy is a collaborative relationship between client and therapist, respecting your presenting issues, your choices, and pace for change. I often integrate a body-oriented approach in order to engage all parts of the brain and accelerate and deepen the healing process. I may suggest we work using cognitive behavioral therapy and/or sensorimotor psychotherapy (primarily for trauma), along with a variety of other techniques that work well with your presenting problem. I find that many clients are surprised at how quickly they make progress.

Psychotherapy and counseling provide a space to build on your strengths and uncover solutions to the challenges you face daily. It’s a collaborative process where we work together to explore what’s holding you back, untangle the complexities of life, and move toward the life you desire. I view this work as a partnership, walking alongside you as we navigate the peaks and valleys of your unique journey. My approach is rooted in trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and social justice principles, recognizing that our experiences are deeply influenced by the systems and structures around us. This often means looking beyond the individual to understand how broader social, cultural, and environmental

Psychotherapy can be beneficial for everyone. Whether you would like to further self-exploration, break old patterns keeping you from reaching your full potential, work through past trauma, gain more clarity on a specific issue, or repair ruptures in your relationship, psychotherapy can help you reach your goals. Psychotherapy can provide a safe and supportive environment while giving you the tools and psychoeducation to create sustainable change.

Our thoughts have a huge impact on how we view and act in the world. I will work with you to explore how your thoughts have been influenced by your experiences growing up, as well as by significant life events, loss and/or trauma. I use approaches from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and Mindfulness to help you calm your mind and invite you to consider the possibilty of expanding your perceptions of life experiences as a way of creating changes in yourself and in relationships.

A holistic approach is used, integrating empathetic listening, evidence-based techniques, and collaborative goal-setting. Clients are encouraged to explore the interaction between our thoughts, feelings (emotions and physical sensations) and actions. Cognitive-behavioural strategies can be used to address patterns, while psychodynamic insights delve into underlying issues. Mindfulness practices may be used to enhance self-awareness and increase our capacity to sit with our feelings and notice our thoughts. The therapeutic relationship, with well defined boundaries, is pivotal in the work we do together.

I use a neurobiologically informed approach to treating trauma. That means I'll use the lenses of the nervous system and brain science to help make sense of how you're feeling stuck or repeating patterns you'd like to grow beyond. Most trauma experts agree that our body stores the residue of traumatic experiences and that it is necessary to include the body in the healing process to experience real and lasting change. I always bring the body into therapy by inviting you to become aware of your sensory experience and nervous system states.

Patterns of self-sabotaging behavioural, disorganized thinking and overwhelming emotion make life very difficult. How can we move forward when our bodies seem to betray us and we just need a break from the buzzing anxiety or the numbing of depression? What you may not know is all these symptoms are the imprint of our unfinished business, stuck in the body and just begging to be seen, cared for and accepted. Working with me means looking with curiosity, compassion and an educated-eye at how old wounds of betrayal, abandonment and rejection show up to block living your best life. You are not alone and there is hope.

It is my hope that through the process of exploring personal and relationship issues, clients will develop a greater self-awareness and understanding of their potential and capabilities. Clients will identify any limiting beliefs and thought patterns that may have blocked them from attaining goals in their personal relationships and/or professional lives. Clients will also address and work on any unhealed past experiences of emotional and/or physical trauma that may be negatively affecting their lives today. Clients will benefit from building effective communication skills to promote healthy relationships. It is my hope that clients will develop a loving acceptance of Self.

While my approach is tailored to each client's needs, I predominantly use CBT with a neurobiological lens as my main approach in psychotherapy. I aim to help individuals identify the interconnection between their thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and environment. Evidence-based therapies such as CBT have shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, anger management, OCD, personality disorders, and ADHD.

Psychotherapy can empower you to create lasting positive change. Creating a safe, compassionate space for your own inner journey is in itself often a meaningful contradiction to how we have been alone with our pain. Through my guidance and gentle support, you will begin to examine and move through the places of pain and confusion that trouble you. Your path toward personal growth and expansion will reveal new possibilities and ways to achieve a life of joy and the connection you want. Call me or email for a free 15 minute consultation.

My professional credential is Registered Therapeutic Counsellor not psychotherapist. However I have extensive experience with the tools of psychotherapy including: attachment healing, somatic attunement, object relations, ego state therapy, and depth psychology. I integrate the Diamond Approach, a system for spiritual and psychological maturation, into my work with clients. A core tenet I experience daily is: we each have an individual soul with unlimited potential to free ourselves from limiting aspects of personality, inherited trauma and old beliefs. I've been a student of the Diamond Approach since 1989 and am grateful to the teachers, teachings, and our community of lovers of truth.

I bring 16 years of experience to better help clients come to their own solutions to the struggles they face. Each client is unique, and needs a unique approach to their marriage, family or individual issues. To this end, I use an integrative, collaborative and effective approach using well researched approaches to better help clients achieve the results they want. The benefits that I can offer clients is helping you achieve more peace and happiness in your marriage, family or self. You may learn more effective ways to communicate and relate to people around you. By working together we can find the answers you seek. Contact me today to get the life you want.