My Approach
Many people I work with feel stuck in familiar patterns or caught in cycles of overwhelm, despite their best efforts to cope. Whether you’re seeking support for trauma, anxiety, chronic stress, or life transitions, therapy can feel like moving through the seasons of life. Some seasons are about growth and energy, while others invite rest, reflection, or letting go. All seasons are welcome. My role is to walk alongside you with steadiness and care as we navigate challenges together.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Each person brings unique experiences, challenges, and strengths. I integrate evidence-based therapies to support adults navigating trauma, anxiety, and stress. My work is trauma-informed and grounded in nervous system awareness, meaning we move at a pace that feels safe and supportive.
I offer somatic, nervous system–informed therapy that connects mind and body, recognizing that trauma and stress often live within the nervous system. Rather than relying on insight alone, we gently build awareness of sensations, emotions, and recurring patterns in the present moment to support regulation and change.
I draw from Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy to provide individualized, compassionate care that is collaborative and responsive to your needs.
You don’t need the right words or a perfectly formed goal to begin. We start where you are and move at a pace that feels right for you.
Below are brief overviews of the therapeutic approaches I draw from in sessions.
“The body keeps the score: if the trauma cannot be processed, it is expressed in the body.” – Bessel van der Kolk
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a cornerstone to my practice. I have completed the Basic and Advanced ART trainings and am a Certified Master ART Practitioner with the International Society of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (IS-ART).
ART is a brief, structured form of psychotherapy designed to help you recover from distressing experiences, emotions, or sensations that may feel “stuck” in your mind or body. Using eye movements and visualization techniques, ART helps the brain reprocess troubling memories in a way that reduces emotional pain while preserving the facts of what happened. Through ART, clients are able to erase negative images associated with memories, resulting in the elimination of corresponding triggers.
During an ART session, you’ll remain fully in control as your therapist guides you through a series of eye movements while you recall a difficult memory or feeling. Through this process, your brain can safely “update” the memory by removing or replacing the corresponding images so that it no longer triggers the same distress, fear, or physical tension.
Most clients describe ART as calm, focused, and surprisingly efficient. Because each session follows a structured protocol, progress can often be seen within 1-5 sessions rather than months of therapy. People commonly report significant improvements in symptoms of trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and other stress-related problems, along with better sleep and a greater sense of peace.
ART is grounded in the science of how memories and emotions are stored in the brain. By helping the mind replace distressing images and sensations with new, positive ones, ART allows healing to occur quickly and safely; so, you can move forward without being held back by the past.
If you’re interested in learning more about ART, more information can be found here.
Common questions about ART:
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ART works through a process called memory reconsolidation, which helps your brain change the way painful memories are stored. During guided eye movements, you’ll intentionally replace distressing images with new, calm, or positive images. The factual memory remains, but the emotional and physical reactions are eliminated.
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ART is both brief and highly focused. Many evidence-based trauma therapies—like EMDR, Prolonged Exposure, or Cognitive Processing Therapy—can require several months of sessions. ART uses a structured protocol that allows meaningful change to occur in much fewer sessions, often within one to five visits. It also emphasizes client control and avoids prolonged reliving of trauma.
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Sessions are usually 90 minutes. You’ll be seated comfortably while your counsellor guides you through sets of side-to-side eye movements and visualization exercises. You’ll focus on specific images, sensations, or emotions, while your counsellor helps you transform how those memories are stored and experienced.
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No, one of ART’s most unique features is that you do not need to describe your trauma or personal experiences in detail if you prefer not to. You can still fully process and resolve those memories privately, while your counsellor guides you through the technique.
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Each person’s needs are different, but many clients report noticeable improvement within 1-5 sessions. Trauma from multiple events that are linked to one issue in the client’s brain can often be processed together in a single session. Your clinician will collaborate with you to determine the best pace and treatment plan.
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Many individuals seek ART because it offers an efficient, empowering way to resolve distress without months of therapy or repeated retelling of painful memories. For some, ART provides a bridge after other therapies have plateaued; for others, it serves as an accessible first-line intervention. Because sessions are typically few in number, ART can be a cost-effective option for individuals.
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To participate in ART, clients must meet 3 criteria:
Thought retention: clients must be able to hold onto a a specific thought or image throughout a 90-minute session.
Eye movement capability: clients must be physically able to move their eyes back and forth in a smooth, horizontal motion while following your counsellor’s hand movements.
Readiness for change: clients must be motivated and genuinely ready to let go of the distressing negative emotions, body sensations, and traumatic memories.
** If you have a history of seizures and/or concussions, I will require a medical clearance from your family physician’s before starting ART.
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Yes. ART has been studied in peer-reviewed research, including randomized and controlled trials with veterans and civilians. Studies have shown significant improvements in PTSD, depression, anxiety, and related symptoms, often within a few of sessions.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) supports you in building a healthier relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions. Rather than trying to eliminate discomfort, ACT focuses on increasing psychological flexibility and helping you take meaningful action aligned with your values.
In our work together, we may explore what truly matters to you and identify patterns that pull you away from the life you want to live. ACT offers practical tools for increasing psychological flexibility, helping you respond to challenges with resilience.
ACT can be especially helpful for anxiety, stress, and self-criticism. Together, we’ll explore what matters most to you and develop tools to respond to challenges with greater openness and clarity.
More information on ACT can be found here.
"Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome" - Brené Brown
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) combines acceptance and change. It is especially helpful for managing intense emotions, navigating relationship challenges, and building coping skills during times of distress.
DBT offers practical tools in areas such as emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. In therapy, we may focus on strengthening these skills while also understanding the deeper experiences that shape your emotional responses. The goal is to help you feel more steady, confident, and supported in daily life.
More information about DBT can be found here.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach that explores the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Sometimes, unhelpful thinking patterns can keep us feeling stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed. CBT helps bring awareness to these patterns and gently challenge these beliefs while developing practical coping strategies.
In our work together, CBT might involve identifying recurring thoughts, understanding how they influence your feelings and actions, and developing more balanced, supportive ways of responding. It can also include practical tools and strategies to manage anxiety, stress, low mood, or difficult behaviours.
CBT is collaborative and goal-oriented, while still moving at a pace that feels respectful and supportive. When integrated with a trauma-informed and body-based lens, it can help you build resilience and help you feel empowered and grounded in daily life.
More information about CBT can be found here.