Living with anxiety is more draining and painful than non-sufferers may be able to imagine; it is important to know that it can be treated to reduce or eliminate the daily challenge altogether.  Treatment approaches may include CBT, DBT, EMDR, home practice, logs to track progress, and more.

We all face life transitions, be it related to losing a partner, changing jobs, developing a new aspect to our identity (such as becoming a parent), starting university, entering the workforce, or moving to a new city.  It can help to have someone to talk to, and to be able to explore our feelings, without worrying about leaning too heavily on our friends or family.

EMDR and the Flash Technique are very helpful in addressing the symptoms of PTSD/CPTSD, such as nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance of possible triggers, and being on high alert.  CPTSD refers to complex PTSD, which results from ongoing or prolonged trauma as opposed to a single incident.

Stress is a part of daily life and it actually plays a healthy role in motivating us to get things done.  Counselling can help when stress becomes too great, giving us a chance to unload our burden.  We can also get help to reduce it, set limits with others, and cope with the pressure and resulting anxiety. 

People with BPD know deep suffering due to  experiencing difficult symptoms each day.  These include a roller coaster of intense negative emotions, a poor sense of identity, fear of abandonment, and feelings of emptiness.  DBT is an effective treatment to help those with BPD and traits.

I work with clients one-to-one when they have trauma that impacts their ability to feel comfortable with and enjoy intimacy, or when they need to talk about challenges in their relationships on their own (or while also seeing a different counsellor with their partner).

Grief is a normal part of life, and is inescapably attached to loss of all kinds, be it a loved one (including a beloved pet), or a loss of role, identity, freedom, relationship, or innocence.  Complicated grief is when the grief doesn't end, or the grieving takes over someone's life.  EMDR can help with this. 

Shame, guilt, and negative core beliefs hold us back in life and are often related to trauma, seemingly big or small.  They can be treated effectively with EMDR.  Sometimes clients benefit from interventions like CBT, DBT, or psychoeducation to help them further.

I frequently work with clients who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, two-spirit, transgender, non-binary, questioning, and otherwise identify as queer.  I also take a sex-positive approach.  I celebrate the bravery and strength it takes to be true to oneself in a society that is taking its time to get there.  You can feel safe here to explore your world.  

Self-harm and suicidal thoughts can be effectively treated in therapy for a client who wants to break free from this painful way of being and feels motivated to get help.  DBT was designed to help with these concerns.  Therapy starts by building trust through a strong therapeutic rapport.  Clients must be ready to create and follow a safety plan.  They must be able to call the crisis line or go to hospital if they are in crisis.

Being a caregiver to an ill loved-one is incredibly difficult and isolating.  Many strong emotions come up for caregivers and it can be hard to cope.  I have a strong understanding of this challenge, I have worked directly with family members in a group setting, and I carried out my Masters research in the area of family involvement in the mental health system.

Using substances (or engaging in other addictions such as gambling) can be reactions to trauma, stress, and an inability to cope.  Users may feel like they lack self-control and hope.  Therapy can involve EMDR, DBT, and close work together to find reasons to change and strategies that hurt less (and make life better).