My Approach
How I Think About Change
The patterns of distress that bring someone to therapy can make so much more sense when we consider history and context. The ways we’ve learned—often implicitly—to cope with overwhelming stress, anxiety, or with incompatible environments most likely served us in the past. Over time though, these same strategies can end up like a form of the brain's "default programming", ready to activate on a hair-trigger even in situations where they aren't so helpful anymore. Over time, this can start to narrow our lives. We might avoid things that matter, overthink every decision, take frustrations out on others, push through exhaustion, get stuck in shut down mode, or feel like we're lacking direction. For me, change isn’t about eliminating difficult thoughts or emotions. But it’s not about tolerating constant overwhelm in the name of “growth,” either. It’s about building enough steadiness in your nervous system so you’re not constantly in fight, flight, or shutdown—and becoming more flexible in how you respond to your inner world so that your thoughts and emotions don’t run the show without you. For neurodivergent folks, this can often begin with untangling what truly needs to change from what you’ve been told needs to change ( because spoiler: they’re not always the same thing); and living in a sustainable way that is aligned with what matters to you.
What Sessions Are Like
Sessions are collaborative and flexible. Some days are more conversational and open-ended, making space to process and understand emotions or to make sense of patterns. Other days may be more structured, focused on clarifying values, experimenting with new ways of responding, or translating insights into action. Either way, rather than applying techniques rigidly, I aim to stay responsive to what is most relevant to you in the moment. Regulation, deriving insight, and action planning are all important aspects of therapy—but not always in the same proportions, and not in a pre-determined order or manualized way.
What We Pay Attention To
In our work together, we pay attention to things like thoughts, emotions, bodily responses and sensations, patterns of avoidance or over-effort, and the broader contexts you’re navigating. We also pay attention to our pace. If things begin to feel overwhelming, we slow down and attend to it, treating it as information rather than as something to push through. Afterall, therapy isn’t about performing progress-- it’s about working in a way that’s sustainable and respectful of how your nervous system actually functions.
Modalities
My work is integrative in nature, drawing primarily from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), somatic psychotherapy, parts-based approaches, and person-centred principles. These frameworks inform how I think and respond in sessions, rather than dictating a one-size-fits-all process.
Relevant Education and Trainings
Master of Education, Counselling Psychology - University of Ottawa Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Psychology and Philosophy - Thompson Rivers University Numinus: Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration Complex Trauma Certification Training (CCTP & CCTP-II) ACT for ADHD Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR) Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Autism Spectrum Conditions - Implications of Neurodiversity
A Little About Me
Outside of therapy, I’m fairly low-key. More of an introvert, I love board gaming, dogs, bugging my kids, cooking, and spending time outside. I cycle through phases of being very interested in one oddly specific topic or hobby at a time. I probably start more books than I finish, and I enjoy learning about new ideas or how things work.