About me
Who I am as a counsellor and a person
My Counselling approach and background
I graduated from Adler University at the end of 2021, earning my Masters of Counselling Psychology (School & Youth Focus). During my internship with Foundry, I practiced from a solution-focused approach. Over the years, I have expanded my work to include a greater emphasis on skill building, helping people understand and recognize their emotions and behaviors, and unpacking and move from the trauma they have experienced. ​​​​
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I emphasize an effective therapeutic rapport between myself and the client. I believe emotional safety is paramount for effective therapy, whether it be more dialogue based or more trauma based (Via Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing/EMDR). I hope to continue to expand my skillset for EMDR, as it is the approach for counselling that I find myself most passionate about. ​​
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When working with me, clients can expect to feel understood and accepted, have an understanding and strategies to manage their emotional distress, feel better about themselves and the distress they carry from any trauma or past hardships.
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Trainings I have completed:
-EMDR basic training (via EMDRIA
-EMDR-Informed Care for 911 Professionals
-Basic Principles of Somatic Experiencing
-Externship in Emotion Focused Therapy
-Clinical Applications for DBT of Teens and Young Adults
-Motivational Interviewing Foundations
-Gender Affirming Hormone Readiness Training
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Me as a person
As you may have read previously, I identify as a transgender woman. I started my transition in my early 30's, and it has done a lot to shift my own sense of comfort within myself. I have been told by trans and gender non-conforming clientele that my lived experience has helped with relatability and rapport. I won't go into detail, but I am not naive to many of the mental health struggles a trans person may experience.
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Outside of gender, I enjoy a quiet life. I enjoy concerts here and there, but more commonly my evenings are taken up by exercise (regular running and/or cycling), engaging with art (playing music, writing), or with a film or series that speaks to me at that moment. When in the community, you may find me at a running event or playing baseball or floor hockey (goalie right here). I am much more preferable to cafes or breakfast places than anything loud and energetic. There have been times where I aspired to be that kind of person, but I simply never felt at home in those environments.
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I also like cats. We have conversations. I give them all the same ridiculous voice. They all look at me like I'm strange. This doesn't confuse me.