Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common – and most debilitating! – challenges facing people today. It can keep you from attending that party, applying for that promotion, or focusing on that book you’ve been trying to read. It’s hard to find any peace in the moment when your brain is constantly worrying about the future.

In therapy, we will help you find freedom from constant anxiety. As your anxiety is lessened, you will become more present for the good things in life – whether that’s a relationship you care about or a walk in your favourite part of the forest. You will have the energy to live a fuller life, guided by your values and interests rather than anxiety.

Depression

Living with depression feels like being stuck in a  dark fog of isolation. Going for a walk or texting a friend can take a huge effort – and might leave you more exhausted than you were to begin with. Worst of all, depression can tell us horrible lies about ourselves – leading us to doubt our own worth. 

My work with people experiencing depression is guided by patience and compassion. As the fog of depression lifts, you will learn to relate to your own experiences with kindness instead of beating yourself up. Together, we will address any underlying issues that contributed to your depression in the first place. Through the healing process, you will find a renewed energy for the relationships and activities that matter most to you.

2SLGBTQIA+

I am honoured to work with queer, trans, and non-binary people and their families. You might be dealing with the impacts of homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism and cissexism. You might be wanting a place to explore transition, coming-out, and identity.  You might be wondering how to support a family member who recently came out as genderfluid. Or you might want support with other issues without having to educate your therapist.

I get that identity is fluid and creative. In our work together, you will find ways of living that go beyond the assumptions our society makes about sexuality, gender, and relationships. Together we can open up new possibilities for how you relate to yourself, the people you care about, and the larger world.

Addiction

Substance use can leave us feeling frustrated, helpless, and stuck. While substances can seem to numb the stress and pain we experience in life, eventually they can end up controlling our lives in ways we never expected. 

As a therapist, I have worked extensively with people experiencing substance use issues. I offer you an empathetic, non-judgmental space for your story to be heard. Whether your goal is abstinence or harm reduction, we can help you develop the skills you need to take your life and power back from addiction.

Throughout the therapy process, you will start to build a new relationship with substances – one that doesn’t get in the way of you living a meaningful life. You will have the freedom to enjoy the people and activities you care about.

Trauma

Life with unresolved trauma can feel like an emotional roller coaster. You might be calmly ordering a coffee or riding the bus when a noise, smell, or sight puts you on red alert. Trusting people, maintaining healthy relationships, asking for what you want – or even knowing what you want! – can feel impossible. For this reason, unresolved trauma separates us from ourselves, from the people we care about, and from the life we want to live.

The good news?  Trauma can be healed within a safe, therapeutic relationship. I am trained in many modalities that help trauma survivors, including EMDR, somatic approaches, and narrative therapy. Trauma recovery can bring happiness, calm, and creativity back into your life. No longer feeling trapped in the past, you will be free to move towards a meaningful future.

Location

305-323 Chapel Street
Ottawa ON
K1N 7Z2