Work With Me
Growth, guidance and positive change.
Change starts with you
I work with individual adult clients in Edmonton who are open to growth, guidance and positive change. I fundamentally believe that the potential for healing is always present, always walking alongside our pain. I see this everyday in everyone I work with.
Our time together will be unique to you and your needs. Sessions could be as short as a couple of weeks, several months, or longer. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to therapy. Together, we will take it one step at a time.
My specialty is adult individual counselling and psychological healing through therapeutic approaches such as Attachment Theories, Parts Work, Trauma Theories and mindfulness. I have personally seen these modalities (and a few others) help my patients with trauma, addictions, relationship distress, depression and anxiety.
I have worked with individuals in Edmonton and area from all backgrounds with varying therapeutic goals. I feel deeply honoured to have the opportunity to sit and connect with hundreds of clients over the years as they seek, feel and heal. It has been a privilege to watch each and every one of them accept and express their wholeness.
COMPASSION
Parts Work
Parts Work is a psychological theory that is based on the relationship you have with yourself. Parts Work treatment is based on the concept that the inner ‘parts’ of us make up our whole self. Some parts are young and very wounded, others more resourceful and strategic, while yet others may be very reactive and extreme. Working with our ‘parts’ allows us to separate out our complex inner battle. Compassion for all the parts begins the healing and integration.
Many psychological theories and modalities use Parts Work. Examples include Internal Family Systems created by Richard Schwartz, PhD., and Dr. Janina Fisher’s Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment model.
Attachment Theory
Attachment Theory is a psychological theory that is based on the relationships you have with others. The way we interact with others is fundamentally shaped by how our early caregivers responded to our needs for safety, comfort, consistency and protection.
We cannot change what has happened to us, but we can go back and look at it together to make sense of it. As Daniel Siegel says in, Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation (2010), “Making sense is a source of strength and resilience… making sense is essential to our well-being and happiness.”
COLLABORATION
COUNSELLING
Somatic Psychotherapy
Somatic psychotherapy is a holistic therapeutic approach that addresses the connection between your mind, body and spirit.
Your thoughts, attitudes, feelings, and beliefs all impact your physical functioning – while physical factors such as diet, exercise and sleep can positively or negatively impact your mental and emotional state.
What we also know from advances and discoveries in the field of neurobiology is that our early experiences directly impacts how the brain and body gets organized on fundamental levels – neurobiology, physiology, our autonomic nervous system, immune system, our perceptual system of safety and danger.
It is as psychiatrist and pioneering trauma researcher, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, titled his 2014 bestseller, the body keeps the score. He states, “If you help the body to feel safe, the mind starts feeling safe also.”
The goal of somatic therapy is to create a sense of connection and safety in the body. This connection and safety can help you regulate your emotions, process difficult experiences and trauma. It decreases symptoms of depression and anxiety, helps you gain a sense of ‘aliveness’ and confidence and form more meaningful connections with others.
The Process
While the process isn’t always linear, here are the core steps you can expect on our journey together.
Intention
My intention is to welcome you into a non-judgmental, safe space to share your story. Our first session will help build rapport and trust, and give some background to your history and experiences. Together, we will engage in a collaborative process, where we will establish the goals of your therapy and areas you would like to focus on.
Approach
I will guide you through a multi-modal approach (traditional talk therapy, mindfulness techniques, attachment theory, trauma informed therapies, "parts work", somatic therapy) to evaluate and decide on a therapeutic approach that fits your needs and goals. At this time, we can discuss session strategy and a suggested timeline and schedule.
Journey
Together, we will uncover why and how you feel, what you believe, and how you have coped in the world so you can begin to 'connect' to yourself. We will delve into the patterns that keep us stuck - knowing that no matter how problematic or self-defeating our patterns are, they come from somewhere and they are trying to 'do' something, usually trying to keep us safe.
Alignment
Where will our journey take you? My intention is to bring you closer in alignment with who you are and accept and appreciate yourself, as you are. Along the way, I’ll equip you with the knowledge, tools and resources you can use day-to-day to cope with and heal your psychological pain. The inner shifts you will begin to notice through our conversations are gained insight and awareness that will help you move through life more peacefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a registered psychologist and a psychiatrist?
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour.
A registered psychologist is a person with a minimum of a graduate degree in psychology (although there are several registered psychologists who also have doctorate level degrees), who has completed a minimum of 1600 hours of supervised practice, and in Alberta, has passed the Examination of the Professional Practice of Psychology. Psychologists focus on different therapeutic approaches, usually from the approach of combining biological, psychological and social factors to treat mental illness and issues. They do not prescribe medication.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with special training in psychiatry and mental health who can also prescribe medication. Psychiatrists focus on diagnosis/evaluation and/or psychiatric medication monitoring.
Are psychologist appointments covered by Alberta Health Care?
Unfortunately, psychologist visits are not currently covered under Alberta Health Care, unless you are visiting a hospital. Most extended health benefit plans and Employee Assistance Plans will cover in whole or in part the fees for private psychological services.
Do you offer direct billing to my insurance plan?
I provide direct billing. There are some insurance plans that will accept direct billing. It’s best to check with your own plan to determine if this is possible.
Ready to Work Together?
Feel free to reach out with questions or session bookings. Sessions can be conducted online or at my office in Edmonton, Alberta.