Specialties (in alphabetical order) --------

These descriptions reflect my own perspectives from personal experience, training, and working with clients…

Adoption
Addressing issues of all members of the adoption circle.

Abuse
Journeying from surviving to thriving.

Anxiety
We can learn about triggers, origins, and sources of our anxieties as well as tools to manage it so that it stops managing us.

Bereavement
Grieving the loss of anyone or anything important.

Conflict
When we are not getting along, think of your adversary as holding up a mirror.  When we learn our role in the conflict we can take responsibility for ourselves in resolving it.

Crisis
When we become overwhelmed by our inner experience and/or external events.

Depression

Turning to therapy in times of  low energy and drive, with difficulty in functioning plus sleep and appetite disturbances takes effort but will reduce the duration and intensity of depression.  Since I am not a medical doctor I do not prescribe medications but I do see clients who are taking anti-depressants and clients who are not - to work with the symptoms and causes of depression.

Eldercare Support/Sandwich Generation

If you are in the sandwich generation, i.e. struggling in the middle of caring for your elderly parents while at the same time raising your own children, support is available.  Sessions will provide coping strategies, resources and information, and relief for the emotional toll of the stress.  When  you are feeling emotionally volatile you are probably experiencing anticipatory grief which can also be addressed.

Family
There are many types of families such as nuclear families, extended families, family of origin, foster families, single families, adoptive families, blended families, same sex couples with families, and others – all having unique and common issues to explore and resolve.

Highly Sensitive Persons (HSP)

Having a sensitive nervous system is not abnormal, actually about 15-20% of the population falls in the highly sensitive range.  With therapy you can learn more about the areas you are most sensitive, how to cope, and how to thrive with the challenges and gifts of this trait. 

Illness
When diagnosed with a life-changing or life-threatening condition we can learn healthy ways to cope, to be, and bring consciousness to our living and/or dying.

Intimacy and Sexuality
There are many reasons we struggle with intimacy and sexuality -both conscious and unconscious.  This can be explored in sessions leading to greater intimacy with ourselves which helps us have healthy intimacy with a partner.  Exploring our feelings and experiences, past and present, who and how we are, plus our energy, vitality, creativity, senses, and sexuality is a process – and can be very rewarding.

Meaning
What matters?  There are many existential questions looking for answers.

Parenting
There’s a common expression … “It takes a village to raise a child”.  Since we often don’t have a village or even extended family nearby, counselling can help you de-stress in order to face the demands of parenting.  Then you can make room for new perspectives on child development and parenting as it applies to you and your family's needs and values.

Relationships
It is a gift and a commitment to ask for support for your relationship.  It is a strength to ask for help, not a weakness. Relationships are not easy and they aren’t meant to be easy.  They are one of the most powerful containers for growth and transformation.  Having the guidance of someone outside of the container can help you through.  Opposite sex and same sex couples are welcome.

Self-esteem
Low self-esteem affects our abilities in relationship, at work, and even our pleasure.  One of the rewards/by-products of therapy itself is an increase in self-esteem, because when we know who we are, what we desire, and what our purpose is we become confident, solid and centered.

Self-exploration
Some people may not be pushed into therapy by a catalyst, trauma, or transition.  Some people volunteer to learn about themselves and explore their psyche.  Doing this work gives them more breadth and depth making them stronger  and ready when life inevitably presents a challenge.

Sexual abuse
When we have been abused sexually our self-esteem suffers, our boundaries become rigid, loose or inconsistent, we are betrayed, we are shamed, damaged, and so much more.  It is a difficult journey through, but victims become survivors and even thrive with therapy.

Shame
Shame is the feeling that we are bad, unworthy, flawed.  Core experiences of unworthiness are part of the human condition but those of us who have been abused or abandoned or neglected are left with a negative self-concept.  This self-concept can be transformed.

Spiritual Emergency
For individuals who experience unexplained and uncomfortable experiences of energy surges, psychic and/or mystical experiences, visions, hypersensitivities and so forth.  We can learn to direct and manage these energies constructively so they do not interfere with our ability to function in life, and learn about them as the gift that they are.

Stress
We all experience stress and this is the symptom that many people seek therapy for.  Stress is inevitable but it is a symptom and its personal causes can be ascertained, plus it can be managed with tools and resources.

Transitions
Change is difficult for most.  Family, work, financial, health, and mid-life transitions can evolve in a meaningful direction when there is some professional support.

Trauma
Reactions to trauma may include amnesia, dissociation, sadness, depression, anger, irritability, difficulty focusing, sleep disturbances, flashbacks and more.  When traumatized we need counseling to find the path back to wellness.

Work
Conflicts, stress at work, lost promotions or jobs are major events in our lives.  We often identify our work as who we are.  So who are we when we are unemployed or underemployed?  Therapy can help you find a path to your purpose.