Find a Therapist in Abbotsford, BC

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) specializing in telehealth eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for women healing from trauma and posttraumatic stress (PTSD). I provide a safe, supportive space where you can process difficult experiences within a caring and trusting therapeutic relationship. I welcome a diverse range of clients, including LGBTQ+ individuals and cultural and religious minorities. I am committed to creating an inclusive, affirming environment for all. What I Help With I regularly work with clients navigating the effects of: Childhood trauma and attachment wounds Sexual assault and abuse Motor vehicle accidents and medical trauma Prenatal and postpartum trauma Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias Depression and low self-esteem Disturbing memories that feel “stuck” I also enjoy working with helping professionals, including counselors, nurses, and teachers, who are processing their own trauma histories.

I am a clinical psychologist in private practice. I work with adults who seek help for relationship concerns, depression, anxiety, attention deficits, substance useabuse, traumas big and small, and many other questions that come up in daily life. An open and honest dialogue is possible in an atmosphere of listening and thinking. Our sessions are private and confidential. Talking things out is the first and easiest ways to identify the root causes of many problems. Thinking things through is like putting together a puzzle. You might already know what the final picture will be and getting there is a very fruitful journey.

Now more than ever, in the COVID-19 crisis, therapy can help you to cope with heightened anxiety, depression, loneliness, and lack of purpose. With online video conferencing, I can provide regular therapy without you coming into the office. Therapy provides a safe place to ask the questions that scare us, to find connection and healing, to feel good and be authentic, and take charge of our lives. I support clients' efforts to gain insight into the sources of their challenges and pain, find connection, make positive changes in relationships, identify strengths and resources, cope with personal history, and take charge of their life. I help children, teens, and adults cope with stress, express themselves honestly, and explore personal meaning and purpose. I have experience working with children as a school counselor and in the child welfare system, and working with children, teens, and adults in private practice. I use relational psychodynamic methods, with insights from CBT and other modalities. My approach as a therapist is to provide warm and attentive listening, unconditional positive regard, gentle honesty and encouragement, as I join with you in the project of telling and understanding your story, and feeling your best. I am an MDiv and am open to your religious experience. I am also available for teletherapy from the privacy of your own home.

I believe in the power of therapy for everyone. We all need a safe place to vent, feel validated in our experiences, and process the difficult parts of life. Humor and hope are two key elements of my work with clients. I have been working as a counselor for over 10 years, and I have found that through humor, collaboration, and understanding, we can make incredible leaps toward healing and becoming our best selves. I look forward to guiding you along this journey. I began my work with clients with substance use concerns, implementing a harm reduction approach. I have since focused on working with adolescents and adults with depression, anxiety, and life adjustments to reduce symptoms, and to help you find purpose and healing. I use evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relational therapy, and motivational interviewing. I look forward to meeting with you and beginning to work together to support your goals, provide space to process life’s small and large hurdles, and celebrate the wins.

I am accepting new clients. There is no question life has its ups and downs. Sometimes we all just need a little extra support. I work with people from many walks of life dealing with many different situations. I treat adolescents, adults, couples, and families with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, life changes, relationships, addiction, trauma, and many other challenges. I use an evidence-based approach to psychotherapy drawing on theories core to psychology. I use an individualized combination of cognitive behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, acceptance and commitment therapy, and other strength-based strategies to treat clients and support them in achieving time-linked, measurable goals. I offer a free 10-minute consultation and look forward to hearing from you.

You're likely here because you know something isn't working. Maybe it's the cycle of conflicts with your partner that are starting to feel inevitable. Maybe you're finding that one or both of you tend to walk on eggshells or avoid certain topics all together. Or it may be that, despite the best of intentions, you keep triggering one another, escalating in conflict, and acting in ways that don't align with the kind of partner you want to be. Perhaps you've got that sinking feeling in your stomach that your relationship is beginning to mirror toxic dynamics from your childhood despite you promising yourself you'd do the exact opposite. Or maybe you're wanting to open your relationship for the first time or have been navigating non-monogamy for a while, but feel like no matter how many boundaries and agreements you try to make, nothing seems to bring back those feelings of security you've been longing for. Perhaps there's been trust breaches or boundary violations you just aren't sure you can come back from. If any of this sounds familiar, welcome. I specialize in helping couples to build better communication, enhance their connection, and create lasting change. My approach is trauma-informed, sex-positive, consent focused, and experiential. I will take the time to learn what it's like to be you in this relationship and what happens for you when connection begins to break down. Together, we will not only shift the day to day of your relationship, we will go deeper to repair old wounds and create a relationship that aligns with your values and goals. Utilizing research-backed, evidence based approaches, you will get to actually experience the kind of communication and connection you've been wanting. You don't have to feel like the only options are to walk away or settle for something that's not working. I encourage you to reach out to me to schedule an initial consultation. Let's see what happens when you both are supported to more fully and intentionally show up in this relationship, both for yourselves and one another. For more detailed information about my background, approach, and services, please visit my website or feel free to contact me via e-mail.

I am a psychotherapist in the Ballard area and work primarily with adults in individual therapy. I hold a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology and my approach is based on relational therapy and attachment-based, psychodynamic, and trauma-informed theories. My aim as a therapist is to help you come to the realization of being accepted as you are—fully, without judgment or restriction—and to feel truly seen, heard, and understood. Maybe you’ve noticed old relational patterns, shaped in childhood, repeating in your adult life, leaving you feeling disconnected, anxious, or stuck. You may want healing from wounds formed in past relationships and a new way of relating to yourself and others. You want to feel more genuine, confident, and free to live the life you truly desire. If our wounds are formed in relationships, they can be healed within them. Together, we’ll explore your story with compassion, uncover patterns, and begin healing what has kept you from the life you want. I provide in-person sessions and telehealth (when appropriate).

I am dedicated to helping and supporting clients with the highest degree of care and respect, believing that increasing self-compassion, acceptance, and personal growth empowers my clients to lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives. I truly believe we all have the capacity for “change” in all aspects of life, and that as human beings we have the power to change our world and our future. My perspective is always to look at people through a positive lens, seeing their personal strength and potential to change and grow in all aspects of life and in every moment, trusting in their ability to grow and make resourceful, healthy choices when given the opportunity. My approach is collaborative and egalitarian, one that creates a safe and accepting atmosphere, allowing my clients to recognize and make sense of their experience. I incorporate evidence-based techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, emotion-focused therapy, person-centred therapy, and narrative therapy. I offer counselling in English and Farsi.

Prioritizing mental health today can be so difficult to do today, but is important now more than ever. Along with prioritizing mental health, many of us engage in school, work, relationships, family dynamics, and friendships. After a while, many of these pressures may start to affect us in different ways leading us to experience anxiety, stress, bouts of sadness, irritability, and so much more. I did not even mention any unresolved trauma or feelings that may be experienced on top of everything else! Therapy is a safe place to work through many of these issues, with undeniable positive regard and support. I have clinical experience with adolescents and adults and specialize in diverse populations. I understand the barriers that deter many, especially people of color from seeking out mental health services. Therefore, I strive to create a safe space strongly emphasizing cultural sensitivity and relevance. I also specialize and offer EMDR sessions. Ultimately, I believe that there is no "one size fits all" in therapy, and know when to use an integrative perspective to identify and harness each of my client’s individual strengths to tailor interventions based on presenting symptoms.

I'm passionate about working with those who grew up in a family where they were given adult responsibilities at a very young age. You took care of everything and everyone. Today, you’re still taking care of everything. You’re exhausted, but saying no or asking for help is uncomfortable, so you don’t. Instead, you stuff your feelings down, pretend like everything is good, and act like you have it all together. At times, it becomes too much, and you explode. Shortly after, you feel guilt, and you “help” more to ease it. Then you become angry, feeling disrespected and stuck. Hopeless. You want things to change and don’t know how to make change happen. As a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), I provide skills to help you manage your emotions and advocate for yourself, so you’re not controlled by others or your guilt. I can help you strengthen your boundary-setting skills, so others learn how to respect you in the ways that matter most. Working with me can help you know your value and your worth. Together, we will move you toward your desired goals and empower you to make the changes you’ve been wanting. Call me, and let’s talk about how we can work together. I’m an experiential relationship specialist with a trauma-informed lens. My therapy style is integrative, with a foundation in systems and relationships. What this means is that I’m comfortable working with multiple people in the room, as well as considering those who are not. I look at the relationships you are a part of and consider how your experiences influence your emotions, perceptions, actions, and patterns of behavior. This also means that I’m not a cookie-cutter therapist. I don’t believe my clients are made from a single mold or that therapy is one-size-fits-all. I create therapy to fit the client’s needs and meet them where they are at. You can expect sessions to be relational and collaborative, a human experience where I will get to know you as a person while working toward your desired goals. Key methods used: experiential therapy, emotionally focused therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and trauma-informed care.