As a psychotherapist I have long experienced that it is precisely through the process of verbalizing thoughts that my clients are able to gain a clear sense of their reality--words clarify the vagueness of ideas. And once a reality is expressed, then a client can move toward acceptance of that reality and toward understanding of how to shape that reality in a way that best meets their needs and aspirations. Please visit www.newhorizonscounselling.com and Psychotherapy.

The psychotherapeutic approach that we use puts the clients’ needs first and the therapists meet the clients where they are at. This is a client centered focus. We look at building the strengths of the client while being compassionate and providing a safe environment for the client to process their struggles. We have the added dimension of including any kind of spiritual element to the therapy process without imposing external views. Clients often report that they find this essential as it is often a vital part of who they are, and it can be a barrier to healing if they do not feel free to open up about this area of their life.

People often come to therapy to get rid of painful and difficult feelings. Rather than getting rid of our feelings, therapy is a skilled process of helping us understand ourselves so we can use our feelings to navigate our lives. Even the very painful feelings hold vital information for us to become sure-footed in our life. Just like in martial arts, we use the momentum of the attacker and redirect it to ensure our safety ; in therapy we use the information from the painful feelings to clarify what we need to create more safety in our lives so we can thrive. It is a valuable process of allowing our feelings to work for us to create satisfying joyful lives.

The most effective psychotherapy, the most immediately “real” experience of this interaction, is that of an emerging authentic self from within each client. Each of us is comprised of an authentic self and a false self. The false self is made up of the various masks, roles, defense structures, and the like, that we adopted as children in order to “fit in” and navigate the family system we were each parachuted into at birth. One’s authentic self is thus, necessarily, hidden from view. The more unhealthy the family system, the more defenses are required, thus the more the authentic self is compromised, hidden. Indeed, our authentic self may feel threatening, to all that we have “known”.

I specialize in utilizing cognitive behavioral, motivational interviewing, solution focused, holistic and narrative therapeutic techniques with clients struggling with a variety of issues including substance abuse, high risk behaviors, disordered eating, trauma and abuse and mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety.

I can help you on your journey to find: • Hope & confidence that you can resolve your issues. • Clarity & solutions to your problems; • Your hope in times of crisis; I offer counselling approaches such as: • Relaxation excercises; • Cognitive therapy; • EMDR which helps overcome anxiety, stress & tauma;. • EFT which positively shifts our thinking and modifies our anxiety response; & • Sandtray therapy which offers a unique non-verbal form of healing. By acknowledging you have a problem, and want to find a solution, you are much closer to resolving it. I serve adults, & young adults 16 and over and seniors. I am here to help.

I am eclectic, psychoeducationally based therapist. While borrowing on the classic of Cognitive behavior therapy, I also have a strong influence from Attachment theory, and Emotions Focussed Therapy. Therapy with myself for whatever interpersonal problem, personal problem, or state of mood will find you, the client experiencing a friendly discussion about the issues, in a non judgement and non contemptuous fashion. Therapy is always goal directed, there are NO secrets and I share my thoughts. Integrating these models in an educative fashion allows me to explore without being boxed in the clients history and realize goals for personal change, situational change or structural change.

The approach I like to use in psychotherapy is to begin with ensuring a close bond or alliance can be quickly established where there is active listening, an opportunity for establishing trust and allowing empathy to flourish. Only then can we then challenge any distortions in thinking, help with the managing of emotions that may be overwhelming and distressful to a client. Also, assisting with searching for solutions and really serving to change the narrative either in part or altogether so there can develop a more hopeful and optimistic attitude. Examining and naming attachment wounds from childhood that may interfere with couple/family relationship dynamic in the present.

Psychotherapy can be a scary thing to start as it is a bold step to face some of the things we have been hiding from. A safe and warm place is imperative. I will walk you through your first steps of self-discovery and healing, and will walk with you at your pace. I use a combination of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as the basis for psychotherapy. I believe in the power of expressing emotions and understanding their origins as a conduit to better understanding and accepting oneself. I will guide you through the process of learning to express and understand your emotions and behaviours.

Tons of research has proven that thoughts causes our feelings and consequent behaviors.and not people, things or circumstances. When we learn a new way of thinking that works for us, it is very empowering to realize that we do have control over the way we feel because we do have full control over the way we think. I share the knowledge of how we can change our thinking to change the way we are feeling regardless the circumstances in life. And with this knowhow, one learns self counselling skills that can be used over a lifetime after therapy!

For over 25 years I have been working with individuals and couples to help them with their particular issues and problems so that they may achieve emotional health as well as relationship and career goals. Each client has a unique situation and set of issues, be it anxiety, stress, depression, substance abuse, grief, personal growth, relationship issues, aging, illness, etc ; each problem has a unique set of tools and strategies to select for its solution. Together we will meet and identify the problem(s); I will propose a treatment plan and together we will discuss the plan as well as determine whether the match between therapist and client is a solid one in order to move forward.

Through psychotherapy we explore our patterns of behaviour, thoughts and feelings that have brought us to where we are today. In increasing awareness, and exploring the possibility of different responses, we can significantly change our outcomes in life; whether it romantically, with family, friends, or career related. Moving forward we have two options, to accept and manage, or change. Working with a trained therapist can help you navigate some of life's difficulties with clarity and resolve.

What i think is most important in individual psychotherapy is safety - that I have my "stuff" sufficiently together to be a safe sounding board, and have walked further along the path, and therefore am able to empathize and understand where the client may be on his/her journey. That nothing is too shameful to talk about. I will use a variety of approaches from my toolbox to help individuals focus on their issues. My goal is for clients to leave sessions feeling important issues have been identified, wounds are being healed, patterns are being identified, and that they have a stronger sense of who they are, what they want. Actions will start to reflect this new awareness.