I was first drawn to Gestalt psychotherapy because it:

• embraces an egalitarian relationship between client and therapist
• takes a non-pathologizing approach to mental health
• invites creativity

Since then, I have continued my training with a focus on trauma healing.

My practice is rooted in the belief that we have all creatively adjusted to survive our formative environments, and that we have the potential to transform old adaptive patterns if they no longer serve us.

In relationship with clients, I aim to:

• listen deeply
• be open and responsive
• foster awareness and connection
• demonstrate curiosity and compassion
• support agency, choice, flexibility, and ultimately wellbeing

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Approach

The integrative psychotherapy that I practice is…

Experiential, meaning that we will not only talk, but we will also do. I believe that having concrete experiences that connect us to emotion, or support trying out a new behaviour, can lead to deeper processing.

Somatic and embodied, meaning that we will gradually bring attention to sensation, breath, posture, and movement, as they arise or shift in the present moment, to connect to your body-based knowledge and wisdom.

Parts-based, meaning that we will dialogue with different sides of you that may feel stuck in inner conflict, patterns of protection, etc. All parts are welcome, and we will make space for the ones that have been disowned (seen as unacceptable) or exiled (due to overwhelming pain).

Relational, meaning that we will focus on what you bring forward as well as the relationship between you and I. What emerges between us and what we co-create can be an important part of the therapeutic process.

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Lens

I view the process of psychotherapy through intrapersonal, interpersonal, and sociocultural/systemic lenses. I recognize that stress and trauma can arise from relationships, intergenerational experiences, as well as social conditions of marginalization and oppression.

I am committed to engaging in ways that are:

• Feminist, anti-oppressive and anti-racist
• Queer and trans affirming
• Neurodiversity affirming
• Informed by fat acceptance and opposition to diet culture
• Rooted in harm reduction principles
• Sex-positive and kink-aware
• Welcoming of varied relationship configurations (e.g. non-monogamy, chosen family)

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Training

I am informed by the following therapeutic models and teachers:

• Gestalt Psychotherapy with Jay Tropianskaia, Carolina Edwards, Luisa de Amaral and Michael Clemmens (800 hours)
• Somatic Experiencing with Dea Parsanishi, Francine Kelley, Abi Blakeslee and Peter Levine (234 hours)
• Somatic Resilience and Regulation with Kathy Kain and Stephen Terrell (72 hours)
• Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment with Janina Fisher (70 hours)
• Emotion-Focused Therapy with Leslie Greenberg and Serine Warwar (60 hours)
• Internal Family Systems with Risa Adams and Marina Hazan (36 hours)
• Brainspotting with Jane Evans, Marjorie Robb, Keisha Ward, Pie Frey and David Grand (72 hours)
• DBT Skills with Marsha Linehan (12 hours)