Individual Therapy

Individual therapy takes place in one to one sessions of you and the therapist. The room we meet in is a virtual office, that means we meet online simultaneously in a Video Telehealth platform that is a PHIPA compliant environment (see FAQ for more information). Our meetings are typically 60 minutes unless we mutually agree to a different meeting length. Clients decide on the frequency of the sessions based on their therapeutic goals in conversation with the therapist. The introductory session is free and provides us a chance to get to experience each other briefly so we can get a sense of whether we want to work together. You can ask me questions and I will ask you about what you are looking for and determine if I have the required training and capacities to be of help to you. The fee for individual therapy is $100 / 60 minutes paid at the beginning of each session by e-transfer to the address provided unless other arrangements have been mutually agreed upon.

I support persons who are coping with some of the following things:

• Grief; death of a loved one, pet, loss of relationship, finances, or health

• Trauma

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Issues related to 3rd Culture Individuals

• Adjustments related to living in a new culture/place

• Challenges related to being LGBTQIA+

• Sexual & relational health issues

• Spiritual or Existential distress

• Life-altering diagnosis

• Major life transitions or decisions

• Preparing for one’s death or death of a loved one

How does a typical session go? I will ask you how you want to use our time together that day if there is something specific you wanted to address. Sometimes we may discuss your progress on your therapy goals and determine if any adjustments are needed, sometimes you may talk the whole time and I will provide supportive listening, other times we may have dialogue together. Sometimes I may utilize a meditation that we listen to as a way to address one of your issues. I will provide you with empathic, nonjudgmental supportive listening, interact with what you share in sessions, and sometimes recommend resources that can empower you in meeting your therapy goals.

You may tell me stories about your life and I will ask you questions about life events and experiences. This will include your relationships with family members and organizations. The sessions are private and confidential and you do not need to feel ashamed or need to protect the reputation of the people you will be talking about because everything you say will remain private. Any exceptions to this will be discussed with you at the beginning of our work together so you are fully informed prior to sharing anything with me because you need to be able to trust me if our work together will benefit you.

It is not uncommon for a person to experience strong or upsetting emotions when they share with their therapist. This is normal and does not bother your therapist; crying and expressions of emotion are welcomed and I will do my best to help you feel safe when topics we cover are vulnerable and painful for you. You may find yourself feeling exhausted or a variety of strong unsettling emotions in the days or weeks that you are involved with therapy. This is normal but can be frightening when we are not expecting it. Please be sure to inform your therapist if this is happening and to plan your commitments outside of your therapy work so that you have time to rest if needed and are able to have safety between sessions.

I practice Trauma-informed, Anti-oppression Psychodynamic psychotherapy informed by a variety of methods including Narrative therapy, Relational psychotherapy, IFS Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness, Self Psychology, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, & Spiritually-integrated psychotherapy (this means that I am sensitive to and aware of, and respect all differences, including that fact that you may have religious and spiritual beliefs or world views different than mine that impact your values, goals and behaviours). I will draw upon different methods eclectically as well as integrating mindfulness meditation and grief education as needed. To learn more about how to recognize good therapy see this link.