905-577-5109
Individual, Marital and Relationship Counselling
For many, considering counselling is a big step. You are feeling fed up with where you are and want something to change to improve the situation you're in. That takes guts and is a real sign of courage, strength and resilience. Therapy is a very unique and personal experience. It's important to find someone who is a good fit for you. In my opinion, good therapy is a place you feel safe, heard, understood AND also challenged to grow; as such, it's an experience that tends to invite you to step out of your comfort zone, which is where real change happens. My approach in working with both individuals and couples is quite different so I will address these separately.
JUST FOR YOU...
Some of the many reasons you may be considering therapy:
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stressed out
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anxiety or depression
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death of a loved one
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addiction(s)
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suicidal
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relationship is falling apart and you don't know what to do
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abuse or trauma
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parenting issues
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caring for a parent
When you come in, we spend some time in the first session learning about you, what you are frustrated with and identifying how you would like to see it change.
I will often present some different options for the type of work we can do. You decide what makes sense to you and we take it from there. We continue to evaluate how things are going throughout our work together.
I tend to operate from various theoretical paradigms:
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Cognitive Behaviour that considers how our thoughts and feelings affect our behaviour;
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Family systems that looks at our fit and interaction within our family;
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Mindfulness which teaches us how to be in the present more;
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Jungian which places consideration on the creative ways we strive for wholeness and the power of symbolism as part of that process.
We learn to look beyond the content of the situation to appreciate the context it is triggering for us. As such, we are better able to develop strategies for dealing with the issue long term and in the many varied ways it tends to show up in our life. Bandaid approaches are very limited in their effectiveness. Taking the time to find and understand the core of the issue is more likely to bring real, lasting change that can be transferable to many challenges we encounter throughout life.
FOR YOU AND YOUR PARTNER....
When couples come in for counselling, they are sometimes worried that the therapist will take sides. With the approach that I take, I become the keeper of the space between you. It's not about taking sides or who is right and who is wrong... rather, is what you're doing conducive to connection or disconnection? building or dismantling your relationship?
Often times, we tend to act out our frustrations in relationship rather than experiencing the deep connection and understanding that we seek. What we don't realize is just how much of what we do is really about re-enacting patterns from our past that have not been resolved; this helps explain why changing partners is rarely the answer... as it only becomes a matter of time before we find ourselves yet again in the same unfulfilling dynamic.
Our work is about understanding the mindfield buttons we bring into our relationship and the ways we've learned to cope historically that no longer work; when we understand this, we have the option to do something differently going forward.
As social creatures, we are drawn to relationship for connection and support AND also to experience resolution of unhealthy interactional patterns we've learned early on in life. As partners, we become facilitators of each other's healing and desire to return to wholeness.
My role is really one of a coach... to teach you the skills to recognize your dynamic and communicate more effectively. Then much of our work revolves around practicing the skills with your specific issues so you each feel heard and understood. You gain experience learning how to work out your differences in a more constructive and supported process. With time, effort and consistent application, you experience more love and connecton, which can open wonderous new opportunitie for the two of you.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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Registered Social Worker (RSW) with a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW)
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Consult your insurance plan; some or all of my services may be covered
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Income Tax receipts can be issued
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Experience working with people from different backgrounds and sexual orientations; I embrace diversity and welcome you.