My approach with clients involves exploring, through compassion and non-judgmental observation, to overcome circumstances that have affected a client's sense of self, safety and value. Through a careful and thoughtful examination of history, attachment and elements of trauma, we begin to form a story of survival and limitations. Within that scope, we begin to broaden how we have internalized the story of who we are and how we show up in the world. Some parts of our internal story can be damaging relationship patterns, addiction, and self-harm mechanisms that reinforce self-betrayal and self-abandonment.

We acknowledge somatic experience by understanding the role of the nervous systems and conceptualizing the various roles we have assigned to our identity to survive. Our conceptualization focuses on non-judgment and appreciation of how we have survived and how we can continue to harness motivation to evolve as the best version of ourselves. Through the conceptualization experience, we will consider:

• boundaries

• communication skills

• nervous system regulation skills

• automatic beliefs

• behaviours and the role they play in our survival

• subconscious relationship patterns that promote outdated beliefs

We also look at self-esteem and self-worth, our core values and beliefs, and how we prioritize our self-care. All of this leads us to a place of honouring our authentic selves without fear of consequence. Honouring our authentic selves builds an integrated inner world of harmony where one can feel embodied, empowered, courageous and self-led with confidence.

I focus on Polyvagal Theory and Internal Family Systems (IFS), as well as using Attachment Theory, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Theory (CPT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Motivational interviewing is a counselling method that helps people resolve ambivalent feelings and insecurities to find the internal motivation they need to change their behaviour. It is a practical, empathetic and short-term process that takes into consideration how difficult it is to make life changes.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a short-term form of therapy that focuses on adult relationships and attachment/bonding. The therapist and clients look at patterns in the relationship and take steps to create a more secure bond and develop more trust to move the relationship in a healthier, more positive direction.

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) provides clients with new skills to manage painful emotions and decrease conflict in relationships. DBT specifically focuses on providing therapeutic skills in 4 areas:

1. Mindfulness focuses on improving an individual's ability to accept and be present in the current moment.

2. Distress tolerance is geared toward increasing a person’s tolerance of negative emotion, rather than trying to escape from it.

3. Emotion regulation covers strategies to manage and change intense emotions that are causing problems in a person’s life.

4. Interpersonal effectiveness consists of techniques that allow a person to communicate with others in a way that is assertive, maintains self-respect and strengthens relationships.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an action-oriented approach to psychotherapy that stems from traditional behaviour therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. Clients learn to stop avoiding, denying and struggling with their inner emotions, and instead, accept that these deeper feelings are appropriate responses to certain situations that should not prevent them from moving forward in their lives.

With this understanding, clients begin to accept their issues and hardships and commit to making necessary changes in their behaviour, regardless of what is going on in their lives and how they feel about it.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a short-term form of psychotherapy directed at present-time issues and based on the idea that the way an individual thinks and feels affects the way he or she behaves.

The focus is on problem-solving, and the goal is to change clients' thought patterns in order to change their responses to difficult situations. A CBT approach can be applied to a wide range of mental health issues and conditions.