BA, RP (She/Her)
Specializing in:
-
Grief and loss
-
Gender, sex, and sexuality
-
Parenting, pregnancy, postpartum
-
Spiritual support
In my role as a psychotherapist, I work from a feminist, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed lens. I use an emotion-focused approach to empower clients to make desired changes in their lives, and to find ways of coping through life's many storms. As a sex-positive therapist, I create a safe, non-judgemental space to explore and address sexual issues.
Special Areas of Interest:
-
I love supporting queer and trans folks navigating coming out, adjusting to hormones, exploring topics of identity, community, and self-image. I also identify as queer.
-
As a mother of 3 kids, I appreciate supporting parenting issues, anxiety around pregnancy, and postpartum mood disorders.
-
Holding space for the challenging, painful, and difficult times that come with life.
-
My last area of passion (but not least), is working with clients who are in bereavement or who are experiencing grief and loss. My daughter Kamila passed away suddenly when she was 19 in 2021; I am no stranger to crippling loss. I have a blog about my experience called Out of Order.
Professional Development:
2023 Mindful Awareness in Body-Oriented Therapy (MABT) Level 1 - Center for Mindful Body Awareness (40 hrs)
2022 Polyvagal Theory - Dr. Stephen Porges, Embodied Philosophy (10 hrs)
2021 Five Day Intensive Sex Therapy Training - University of Guelph (40 hrs)
2020 Anishinabek Cross-Cultural Learning - North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre (7 hrs)
2017 Connecting With Clients Through Mindfulness Practice - Canadian Mental Health Association (7 hrs)
4-Day Emotion - Focused Therapy Externship - ICEEFT (40 hrs)
2016 Processing Guilt and Shame - Hincks-Dellcrest (14 hrs)
2015 Seeking Safety - Treatment Innovations (7 hrs)
4-Day CBT Certification in the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression - Leading Edge Seminars (28 hrs)
Narrative Therapy: Responding to Trauma, Violence and Oppression - Narrative Therapy Centre of Toronto (14 hrs)
Mindfulness Counselling Strategies: Activating Compassion and Regulation - CTRI (14 hrs)
2014 Integrating a Loss Framework Into Practice - AIDS Bereavement and Resiliency Program of On (7hrs)
Emotion-Focused Therapy for Families - ICEEFT (14 hrs)
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - LivingWorks (7 hrs)
Trauma in the Mind's Eye - Hincks-Dellcrest (14 hrs)
2013 Effective, Time-Sensitive Counselling - Dr Heather Hair, Memorial University (14 hrs)
2009 Certified Hypnosis Course - National Guild of Hypnotists, Toronto, ON (100 hrs)
2000 Holistic Health Practices Certificate, Canadore College
1999 Reiki Master/Teacher (Usui Method with Suzanne Harmony, North Bay, ON)
1998 Reiki Levels 1 and 2 (Usui Method with Sheila Porter, Halifax, NS)