Just as a sunflower's petals are actually tiny flowers in disguise, the different parts of ourselves can often be overlooked or misunderstood.
I hope to help you (re)discover and embrace these parts to cultivate deeper self-understanding and alignment.
I perceive my role as a compassionate witness and typically follow a flowing and fluid conversational approach, where we can begin shining light on your own inner wisdom.
relational.
As the therapeutic relationship can be a reflection of our interactions with others in our life, I will make sure to attend to the quality of our relationship and I welcome any feedback regarding our dynamic. I also recognize how vulnerable it can feel being a client in the therapy space, and I am committed to balancing the power dynamic as much as possible. by being intentional about bringing my genuine self to session and by owning my perspectives.
anti-oppressive.
As oppression seeks to flatten people and culture, I want to ensure that therapy is a space where you can fully express yourself. I recognize how the interplay of historical, intergenerational, familial, and individual experiences are interconnected and critical to understanding all of you.
For those of us who have been impacted by systemic oppression, it can be difficult to trust our instincts However, I firmly believe (re)connecting to the depths of our emotional experiences is a revolutionary act that can help foster deeper connections to ourselves, others, and the world around us.
I strongly believe in the nurturing aspects of humour and play in the therapeutic space, and I will hold these moments with great appreciation and tenderness.
parts work.
I believe that humans have an inherent multiplicity, meaning that we all have different parts of ourselves that hold varying perspectives that may seem incongruent or contradictory at times. Working from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Janina Fisher’s Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) approaches, I can help you understand these different aspects of yourself, enabling you to resolve inner conflicts and create inner spaciousness, leading to new possibilities.
collaborative.
I view each person as the expert of themselves, and as a result, I view therapy as a collaboration. While I may offer suggestions and guidance, it is necessary that the therapeutic dynamic is co-created. This can be a space where so much is possible and we can become incredibly creative. I am excited to work with you and create an intentional “third space” together!
In sessions, I will follow your direction and speed regarding where we need to be (and can always help navigate if you are feeling a little lost about where to begin!)
Here are a few examples of what we can spend time on:
Increasing emotional granularity by exploring your emotions in new ways.
Allowing space to acknowledge and accept different parts of ourselves without judgment (this can be experienced as a combination of mindfulness and inner child work).
Take the time to slow down and gain a better understanding of your inner experiences, whether it be physical sensations, feelings, or thoughts.
Exploring your family of origin and its impacts, as well as exploring ways of healing from intergenerational trauma
Learning grounding techniques/resourcing to help manage feelings of overwhelm or dysregulation/increasing a sense of inner safety.
Finding new ways of interacting and relating to others
Breaking down any limiting beliefs or narratives about who you “should” be in the world
Clarifying your values and existential meanings