My Approach to Helping
My approach to therapy is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and authenticity. It's important to me that I don't hide my own humanity when working with clients, and that I honour clients' own knowledge and experience within the therapy environment. In my role as a therapist, I believe my job is to facilitate "helpful conversations" - conversations that will allow clients to view their lives, including the problems that they're experiencing as well as their strengths and capabilities, through a new lens. I appreciate and encourage the diversity of human experience; I believe in the power of thoughtful humour; and I hope to create a safe and inviting space for clients to discuss their deepest concerns and ultimately work towards living their best lives.
What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist
It is a privilege for me to be a therapist and bear witness to both the pain and triumphs of my clients' lives. At the end of the day, we're all human beings - we all have moments of crisis and struggle, and we all have moments of hopefulness and joy. I love being a therapist because I get to participate in people's journeys from crisis to joyfulness and living the lives they truly want, and I truly can't think of anything more fulfilling than that.
Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist
Therapy is a highly personal experience and choosing a therapist is no different. There are a number of factors which are important in choosing a therapist, including the therapist's education and participation in ongoing professional development activities, level of experience, and therapeutic approachuse of therapy modalities. However, I believe the most important factor in choosing a therapist is good rapport; that is, the strength of the relationship you share with your therapist. A strong therapeutic relationship is essential for helping you work towards your counselling goals. If you do not have a strong rapport with your therapist - if your therapist is not someone who you can trust to be vulnerable with, someone who you can feel comfortable with, or someone who you feel respects you - then everything else about the therapist's training becomes less important. Finding a therapist who is the right fit for you, with whom you have a strong rapport, can be a bit of trial and error; don't give up if you don't find it with the first therapist you meet!
