The word I hear more than any other: Stuck.

Stuck in worry.

Stuck in sorrow.

Stuck in undesirable relationship patterns.

Stuck in grief.

Stuck in shame.

Stuck in conflict with my child/teen/sibling/partner/parent.

Stuck in loneliness.

Stuck in anger.

Stuck in a cycle of self defeating behaviour.

Stuck in fear.

Counselling with a mental health professional can assist you to move through your current state of stuck-ness and equip you with tools and resiliency for the future.

My greatest priority is to create an environment that you feel comfortable and engaged in. We will work together to define your goals and desired outcomes.

I have over 25 years working in mental health and I am passionate about helping individuals and couples navigate their way to a place of increased insight, calm and connection.

 

Is counselling for me?

“I’m not sure my problems are big enough for counselling.”

Maybe you think that counselling is only for people who are deeply affected by depression or trauma.

Perhaps it feels self indulgent or frivolous to seek help for what is bothering you.

Or maybe you have been brought up to believe that you should be able to either solve your own problems or minimize anything that is uncomfortable or problematic.

Not addressing problems can create increased levels of stress and research studies have determined that persistent stress is linked to health problems such as heart disease; gastrointestinal problems; sexual dysfunction; obesity; tension headaches and autoimmune diseases.

Counselling can be useful to help support your physical health, for personal development, to change patterns that are no longer serving you, or to have a better understanding of how your history informs who you are today. Talking with a professional is an investment in yourself and your health that pays back dividends to you and the people you love.

“I’m worried it will be weird!”

If you have been avoiding the idea of seeing a counsellor because of how you have seen therapists depicted in shows and film, I don’t blame you!  It makes me cringe as well.

Maybe you are worried that it will be “weird” or “awkward” or “clinical”.

My goal is always to create a relaxed and flexible environment. I won’t promise that it won’t potentially feel awkward for you in the first few minutes, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised to find that sitting across from me just feels like a conversation with someone who is genuinely interested and curious about who you are, and what you need.

I don’t have a ‘therapy’ persona. I am real and authentic and I welcome all the many parts of you with compassion and without judgment.

And I will make you a cup of tea. :)

Some issues I can help you with are:

  • Self Esteem

  • Stress management and working through anxiety

  • Relationship skills and boundaries (navigating romantic, colleague, friendship and family dynamics)

  • Couples therapy including communication, emotional intimacy, sexual intimacy and managing conflict

  • Life transitions

  • Parenthood adjustment

  • Parenting issues

  • Midlife issues

  • Grief and loss

• Living with (or supporting a loved one living with) a DSM diagnosis such as depression; generalized or social anxiety; ADHD; personality disorders; bipolar disorder; schizophrenia.