Find a Therapist in West Point Grey, British Columbia.

Many people grow up feeling not good enough in themeselves. Their family of origins have taught them that who they were was not acceptable as they were, or not what their parents wanted them to be. As a result, many clients have buried parts of themselves in order to fit in and survive emotionally in their families. People are often fragmented when they come in for psychotherapy. I help clients uncover and reclaim the parts of themselves that they left behind, helping them to feel whole again and resdiscover their true essences and their core selves.

My psychotherapy clients come with a range of concerns: people in job or relationship transitions, feeling "stuck" or limited in their lives, feeling “swept along,” disconnected, or worn out. People looking for direction, understanding, and change. Using open conversation and psychological tools, I help my clients learn the patterns that are holding them back and help them build new ways of thinking and living. Psychotherapy can help you gain insight into your life, make better decisions, feel happier and more in control, build more satisfying relationships, reduce stress, and feel more fulfilled in your life. If you’re ready to move toward change, please contact me.

Take the courageous step towards personal growth and lasting change by engaging in my unique style of psychotherapy. I've been a psychotherapist for over 30 years and learned what's most effective from the clients I've worked with in the past. Through collaborative sessions tailored to meet your needs we will explore challenges, uncover insights, determine a path to healing, and develop effective strategies for a more fulfilling life. Unlock your resilience and your potential for happiness!

In psychotherapy, I help clients gain a deeper understanding of their thought processes and the origins of these patterns. We explore childhood experiences, adolescence, and adulthood to uncover how their core beliefs were formed. This journey allows clients to recognize behavior patterns and the emotions tied to those experiences, empowering them to manage their feelings and cultivate positive self-beliefs.

Many clients come to me with only having had talk therapy. They tell me that with their previous counsellor they just discussed their challenges and never really got anywhere. I personally believe that the difference lies in the distinction between the terms "counselling" and "therapy." In my opinion, counselling involves talking and gently exploring issues, whereas therapy involves teaching new concepts, applying specific tools and approaches, and making tailored plans. Clients brainstorm with me, apply new ideas at home, challenge themselves, and develop new insights and skills. This is how I work and what I offer, and my clients notice the difference in their daily lives.

Diving in to our selves and our unconscious minds can yield unexpected gifts. Sometimes individuals are called to do so because of problems in their lives or symptoms that cause them discomfort, and at other times for personal growth and self-innovation. Through guided self-exploration, you can heal and grow. You can experience increased life satisfaction, a greater sense of meaning and purpose, and a broadened awareness of your past and present choices so that you can improve the ones you make in the future.

Through a warm and compassionate lens, I aim to provide a safe place where you can tell your story. I will partner with you to sort through what is going on in a way that allows for you to feel seen, heard and understood, and in a way that helps you see how much sense your thoughts, feelings and actions make. Using methods such as Emotion Focused Individual Therapy, Attachment, Mindfulness, Self-compassion, CBT and psychoeducation, I will act as a guide as to help you become unstuck and move forward. It can be challenging to reach out. Doing so gives you the opportunity to learn new tools, develop life skills and find healing. It would be privilege to meet with you.

Whether you are suffering with long standing anxiety and depression, facing a difficult transition, or frustrated with a current relationship, psychotherapy can help get to the root of your struggles. Psychotherapy differs from advice: as a therapist, I won't offer quick fixes or inspirational sounding platitudes. What I will do is join you in thoroughly exploring your current problems. This helps you tune into with your emotions, needs and desires in a way that can clarify purpose, improve your connection with others, and help you make important decisions. I have extensive training in psychotherapy - please get in touch to discuss how psychotherapy can be helpful to you right now.

I strongly believe that psychotherapy is an art. This is the reason I integrate different approaches and modalities when working with clients based on their goals and their current situation. In other words, I use my years of training and my clinical experience to make sure what we do is helpful to you. I have done training in approaches that focus on thoughts and cognitions such as CBT, approaches that are more emotionally focused such as AEDP and approaches that are more body focused such as SP. This helps us to give equal attention to all parts of your experience such as your feelings, your thoughts and your body. You will feel more integrated and whole as a result.

Sometimes it is necessary to take a journey into the past. So much of what our brain takes in, and accepts as truth, enters the brain subconsciously. Exploring past life experiencing and allowing oneself to fully chew them up (so they can be properly stored and not triggered at in opportune times), is often essential to moving on. This is often a particular issue with childhood trauma. Nothing is as rewarding as seeing one of my clients push through an unconscious block and be able to get on with their life again.

Clients who receive psychotherapy from me will learn about the root of their issues and how to heal these wounds. Many issues we face in life are deep rooted in our childhood or resulting from traumas we have survived and need to be addressed to be truly free and achieve peace and serenity. I will help you learn to live a vital, rich meaningful life and overcome any mental health issues.

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.

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.

We implement a range of therapeutic techniques and exercises such as guided imagery, relaxation techniques, expressive arts therapy, journaling, or mindfulness exercises as part of our psychotherapy approach. These interventions are carefully selected and tailored to support clients in achieving their therapeutic goals, which may include relieving emotional distress, managing symptoms of mental health conditions, improving interpersonal relationships, enhancing coping skills, and promoting overall psychological well-being.

As a psychotherapist, I offer a safe and warm environment to explore your concerns with non judgmental approach. The work will inspire empowering conversations which will foster resiliency and change. The results of counselling can be an overall sense of strength and well being. My counselling style takes into account each persons unique needs, goals, and current challenges to develop lasting change.

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.

My qualifications include a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. My trauma-informed theoretical framework is anchored in Internal Family Systems (IFS), while integrating the attachment principles and relational lens of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Both of these methodologies are evidence-based practices that have been demonstrated to be effective with a variety of situations and symptoms. I recognize that each individual has a unique set of circumstances and perspectives, so with this in mind, I will work collaboratively with you to determine your strengths, needs, areas of growth, and go

Throughout my life and educational career, I have learned the benefits of understanding how our brain and body develop and impact each other. The brain is like any other body part - when injured or not functioning properly, it requires proper attention and care to heal and strengthen it back to a higher functioning state. It is with this knowledge that we can begin to understand ourselves and our own reactions more. My goal is to help you find a path towards self-compassion and a clearer sense of self, while also working together to seek out alternative solutions to create a healthier mindset.

Psychotherapy with me is client centered. This means that I look at you as someone who is the expert in your own life. My role is to come alongside you, to reflect some of what I hear you say, and offer insights that can point you back toward solutions that you inherently know to be true. Sometime we just need to process our thoughts and emotions verbally in a way that points us toward the next right thing.

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

My counselling approach always begins with building a trusting working relationship. I believe in being genuine, open-minded, non-judgmental and empathic. I understand that it takes courage to reach out for help. By doing so, you are half way there! My goal as a Counsellor is to begin working with clients where they presently are in their lives, listening to their life stories and processing with them any trauma or stress they might have experienced. Moving forward from there, we address current issues and work together to outline what clients want to change. Both intrapersonal and interpersonal difficulties are addressed. I am open to using a variety of different therapeutic approaches.

I look forward to supporting and guiding my clients to discover their strengths. I work with children, adolescents, adults and families to help bring more healing, growth and change. Building on a framework of warmth, empathy and compassion, my goal is to create an atmosphere in which you feel safe to explore even the most difficult areas of your life.

I use a two pronged approach in assisting clients . The first is called CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This is highly used in counselling. It increase a clients awareness and enhances their education and skills. The second component, and I believe the most important, is the Reduction of Emotional Charge connected with the issue. Some times CBT is sufficient to bring about permanent change. But often people relapse because the emotional stimulation/reaction had not been reduced & they default to their old coping mechanisms.

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.

Psychotherapy with me will offer you a secure non-judgmental relationship to grow in your goals. Together we will explore what is bringing you into therapy and with compassion and curiousity notice what comes up for you when you seek to make change. As we explore what comes up, we will use tools to get to the roots of those blocks and discover deeper part of you that can provide you with that felt sense of relief and new found energy.