Getting Started

Some of the people who have chosen to work with me include people who are experiencing:

 

-Depression, anxiety, panic, and other challenges with their mood and thoughts

-Disconnection from their bodies and/or stuck in their heads

-Feelings of shame, low self-esteem, or worthlessness

-Connection with an experience/identity of neurodivergence

-Work stress and/or burn-out

-Relationship issues (including isolation)

-Impacts of trauma (physical, emotional, sexual, developmental, spiritual, etc.)

-Grief after loss of a loved one, relationship, pet, status quo, or other meaningful anchors in their lives

-Issues related to their sexuality and gender identity

-Difficulty connecting to, understanding, and expressing emotions (both within themselves and with others)

-Changes in their relationships to their mental health, such as new diagnoses, recent crisis, or new insights that are uncomfortable

-Lack of sense of happiness/wholeness and are unsure of where to start in this journey

-Dissatisfaction or disconnection in relationships with partners, friends, family, co-workers, community members, etc.

-Life transitions and looking for support adjusting to and making meaning of such changes

-Existential issues re: deeply personal answers about life’s meaning, exploring/living their value, etc.s, curious about their spirituality, etc.

If you would like to explore working with me, I begin this process by a simple phone conversation (~20 min) to talk about what you’re hoping to focus on in our work so that I can hopefully help you make an informed decision about what that work could look like. This conversation is free. Some helpful things for you to ask yourself before this conversation are:

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1. Am I hoping to do shorter-term or longer-term counselling? (While I am comfortable working in both models, it is important to clarify so that I can let you know what can realistically/safely be explored in our work)

2. In past counselling work, what has felt helpful? What has felt challenging or unhelpful?

3. How often do I want to have sessions?

4. If I am participating virtually, will I have enough privacy to feel comfortable having conversations about personal matters?

5. What are things that I want someone to know about me if they are going to be supporting me through what could be difficult or challenging conversations?

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Another thing I would like you to consider before this conversation is if you are aware of prior connections between us, personally or professionally. Have we worked together in another role of mine? Have we met around the city or other non-professional settings? Do you have a friend, partner, or family member that has worked with me? It is my responsibility as counselor to determine if there are any ethical considerations and/or conflicts of interest in us creating a working relationship. If you are aware of these, please let me know so I can do my due diligence in considering whether it is appropriate for us to work together. If it is not, I will do my best to refer you onwards to another counsellor.