A psychodynamic approach to counselling focuses on patterns of relationship, often helpful in understanding how early experiences might be affecting you in the present. Especially helpful for untangling ‘baggage’ which may be holding you back in your current relationships and attitudes to others. Understanding how your current attitudes and ways of interacting with others are caught up in old hurts can free you to choose more constructive ways forward.

The process of therapy helps people step back, and look at things through the lens of an objective observer. In this way, individuals start to see strengths within themselves. As they see these strengths, with a therapist's help, people begin to make gradual changes in their lives. Adults, adolescents, & children see me in my practice in downtown Toronto for individual, couples, and family counseling. Their problems include anxiety, stress, depression, parent-child conflict, marital distress, trauma, and grief & bereavement.

I provide a safe space in which you can talk through the challenges of life in the context of an empathic, caring, and supportive relationship. I approach my work as a therapist with nonjudgmental exploration, relational and empathic listening, respectful challenge, interactive engagement, and mutual participation in the therapeutic process. My work is informed by a holistic approach that respects the relational, interconnected nature of human experience. Together, we will explore the physical, psychological, sociocultural, historical, and spiritual factors impacting your life.

H o l i s t i c P s y c h o t h e r a p y The foundation of the work that I do in the office is a holistic style of psychotherapy in which there is an integration of emotional processing with body trauma unwinding. In addition to working with traditional talk therapy we bring in the body work to assists the client in maintaining groundedness. Techniques used include: Coaching, Somatic focusing, Mantras, Visualizing, Polarity Therapy, Cranio-Sacral, Reiki, movement, stretching, breathe work, Affirmations, New Decision Therapy, life coaching and visualization.

Everyone goes through difficult periods when they feel sad, worried or confused. If these problems do not resolve within a reasonable period of time, you may benefit from professional help. Psychotherapy can help you develop a deeper awareness of yourself and the circumstances underlying your difficulties. We may explore past experiences, current relationships, educational and vocational background, cultural and religious values, as well as any individual challenges such as gender, race, disability or sexual orientation. The insight and skills gained can turn a crisis into an opportunity for personal growth, fostering an increased capacity to live creatively and enjoy life.

My goal as your counsellor and coach is to create a compassionate and supportive “safe space” in which you can freely explore your emotional needs and uncover the blocks that have been preventing you from achieving your desired results. I am open-minded, and my client’s wellness is of the utmost importance to me. This means that our work together may touch on all aspects of your life, depending on your specific therapeutic needs - we may explore your work life, family traditions, cultural and spiritual beliefs, and sexual identity. My counselling work is deeply steeped in mindfulness and acceptance-based contemplative philosophies, but I also borrow from other evidence-based approaches.

Psychotherapy is a term that covers a broad range of techniques and approaches. It is different from coaching, which tend to provide practical skill based approaches to change. I integrate both coaching and psychotherapy to get help my clients effect the changes they want in their lives. The tools and skills from both of these disciplines I base in the science of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is an area of neuroscience that has taught us that our brain and its wiring is is not fixed, but it is malleable like plastic. Using the primary keys to neuroplastic change we build tools and sculpt our session together to get powerful, effective and long term change.

I describe my approach as person-centred and strength based. My practice draws from various theoretical frameworks that in Cognitive-Behavioural (CBT) and Solution-Focused, Experiential, Psychodynamic, and Mindfulness. I work from a collaborative stance, where I integrate tools dependent on the client's needs. I believe that each person has the potential to grow. I see the therapeutic relationship as a safe environment in which collaboration, exploration, learning, acceptance, and challenge can take place. Clients can benefit from my approach by building insight and recognizing their personal strengths.

I view psychotherapy as a way to help gain understanding, clarity and a different perspective. When we adjust or shifting our perspectives, explore our inner resources, and identify our challenges, we start the journey to a more fulfilling life. I believe in collaboration and a nonjudgmental partnership. With the goal to ultimately help clients to define their own version of success, create new patterns of behavior and engage fully in their lives.

The late James Hillman described therapy as the place of the small. My patients benefit from my psychotherapeutic approach because together we create room for what is most precious in our lives and allow what we discover to integrate and form a whole. It is only with this inner marriage that we can thrive and reach our fullest capacity to experience joy. I offer support through psychotherapy to help protect and restore energy to where it is needed most.

Most people consider psychotherapy because they are in crisis and seek an intervention that will improve their lives. The issue may involve work or the recognition of recurring, destructive themes that prevent them from living out their dreams. I use a framework called Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, originating from Diana Fosha. It uses a model of attachment to establish a clear, supportive relationship that helps people feel safe enough to explore deeper issues and to know that they are not alone. I aim to help them reach inside themselves to deal with painful feelings, make way for the resilience and wisdom that reside in each of us and find the transformation we seek.

Psychotherapy helps people who are in distress. Sometimes childhood trauma or significant losses make mood regulation difficult. I help people from an attachment framework which means helping them feel more secure in themselves and relationships through increased self knowledge. Your anger, anxiety, panic or depression may be a sign for you to seek help. Relationship difficulties about whether to stay or leave or how to deal with present or past relationships can be the source of your distress. I will help you examine your life from the perspective of your significant relationships. All of us deserve to find greater satisfaction and love in our lives. Psychotherapy with me can help you.

I have been a psychotherapist, mediator and coach in the Toronto area for 15 years. I work with all the anxiety 'disorders' such as OCD, agoraphobia, social and general anxieties, fears and phobias. I have been able to clear phobias for flying in a single session using EFT. I also work with addictions, to cigarettes, food, gambling, sex, etc. Again EFT works quickly to deal with these, often in one or two sessions. And I work with depression, which responds well to CBT and EFT, both.