Therapy That Works for YOU!

In Person, Online and Video Therapy Services

It is important to find a therapist with specialized education, vast life and work experiences, and practical training in therapeutic models of practice that inspire and reinforce your change process. If you mistakenly look for a therapist who matches your personality and preferences, the therapeutic process can be slow and/or harmful. After all, if ‘getting along’ was a key ingredient to successful therapy, then your closest friend(s) would have helped solve your problem(s) by now.

As someone with an array of education from multiple universities in two countries, my therapeutic approach customizes sessions so they are client-centered. Each of us comes from a unique place, with a rich sociocultural context that creates different meanings, values, desires and goals. My approach to working with clients is inspired by the integration of a variety of evidence-based therapeutic models. For example, three core paradigms are: Logotherapy, Narrative Therapy and Focusing-Oriented Therapy. Utilizing an integrated format reinforces an open mind and critical reflection. It is also important since it helps clients to be active participants in their healing journey and empowers them to determine the pace, direction, and intensity along their journey. This ensures clients discover new ways to be self-aware, to be known, to explore the influences within the vast systems (partner, parents, friends, coworkers, classmates, etc) in their life, to feel contentment, joy and passion while discovering new paths.

Logotherapy: is an existential perspective that explores one’s sense of meaning and purpose in life. If people stray from their true sense of meaning and purpose in life or if stress from various points within their system are preventing them from growing, then they can experience anxiety, isolation, a sense of hopelessness, depression or worse. In many cases these psychological characteristics can manifest as negative symptoms affecting one’s health, well-being and quality of life.

Narrative Therapy: is a priceless technique in sessions that help people understand their life as a continuous story with vast chapters. The core thread for you as a client is to be aware that: you are not the problem; the problem IS the problem. The stories you repeat to yourself, whether originating from childhood fear, parental needs, trauma or perpetuated by individuals and society, the stories continue to bias and erode your identity. Narrative Therapy is a technique that allows you to travel along your journey, exploring and reflecting on your experiences so you can re-author relationships and experiences to choose preferred identities and ways of being within the world.

Focusing-Oriented Therapy: specifically for trauma, is a body-centered and person-centered approach to healing that helps transcend many sociocultural differences from client-to-client. From a sociocultural perspective, it familiarizes an anti-oppressive approach, a culturally diverse worldview and understanding, and spiritual awareness. It is very effective treating and healing complex traumas derived from accidents, natural and human-caused disasters, loss, sexual, physical, emotional abuse and/or neglect, institutional abuse, inter-generational trauma, and oppression.

People often either consult my services as a wise preventative strategy, before things get out of control, or they seek therapy at a point where the problem(s) are consuming or destroying their identity and/or life. Regardless of the scenario, what you are experiencing is normal or common in society; most people simply wear masks to hide their struggle(s). There is hope and I am willing to provide the safe space for you to travel your journey, and to assist you along the way as you successfully restore peace as you achieve goals.

Office, Elsewhere or Tele-Counselling

What are my options?

The office provides three rooms that offer a safe space and privacy. Calling or emailing for an appointment time is the easiest way to book your session. However, there are times, when arrangements have already been made, that sessions can occur at another location. For example, sometimes a client has been injured or has a disability and cannot come to the office. Similarly, when clients are wanting to worth through something particular, the session can occur at a specific place as part of their healing journey. And finally, either as an individual or in a group, sessions can occur while participating in an outdoor activity.

There are circumstances that might require a client to choose to conduct their session over a web camera or phone. Ultimately, I want to provide a safe space for you to reflect on your story and to work towards your goals. As such:

• if you feel safer at home, then, I will do no further harm by expecting you to present yourself in my office;
• if you have a disability and/or transportation is too difficult or too time consuming;
• if you begin therapy in North Vancouver and then leave town for a while, we can still continue sessions; and
• if you live in a town where it is not easy to find a therapist suitable for your problem.

How does Tele-Counselling work?

You merely explain your circumstances by phone or email and request appointments to be conducted via web camera or telephone. The quality of the web camera image is not central, but it is dependent on the quality of the device purchased by yourself and your internet speed. Software is available that helps to encrypt the conversation to protect your privacy.