My Approach
I am an integrationist in my approach to therapy because I believe that therapy is not a one size fits all. Therefore, I adopt a person-centered approach to therapy. Each person is unique, and therefore, I believe that utilizing various treatments in an intentional way can be of great benefit to my clients. I use evidence-based modalities such as Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioural therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Bowenian Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
I have additional training in trauma Informed CBT (TF-CBT) & CA-CBT, CCTP 2, Levels 1 & 2 in EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and I am a Prepare-Enrich Facilitator.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic structured modality which was originally developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro. EMDR has been used to treat individuals who have experienced various forms of psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), amongst other challenges. EMDR focuses on an individual’s present concerns. This model believes that past emotionally-charged experiences can influence a person’s present emotions, sensations, and thoughts about themselves. EMDR encourages clients to focus on a previous memory while experiencing guided bilateral stimulation. This type of processing helps to reduce the intensity and emotion which is associated with the traumatic event. Efficacy: EMDR is a heavily research evidence based therapeutic modality which has been proven to help individuals who have experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD (C-PTSD), trauma, chronic pain, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), addictions, depression, anxiety, as well as other challenges or concerns (Mayfield, 2009). According to an article written by Shapiro & Forrest (2016), more than 7 million patients have experienced successful EMDR treatment by therapists globally.
What does EMDR do?
EMDR processing assists clients in breaking through emotional blocks that are keeping them from living an adaptive and emotionally healthy life. EMDR uses rapid sets of eye movements (also known as Bilateral Stimulation or BLS) to help clients update disturbing experiences, much like what occurs during our Rapid Eye Movement (REM) cycle when we sleep. During our sleep cycle, we alternate between regular sleep and REM (rapid eye movement). EMDR replicates this sleep pattern by alternating between sets of eye movements and brief reports about what you are noticing. This alternating process helps you update your memories with a healthier present perspective.
What Makes
EMDR different?
EMDR focuses on the brain’s constant ability to learn by taking past experiences and updating them with present information. Our Adaptive learning is constantly updating memory network systems. Past emotionally-charged experiences often interfere with our updating process. EMDR uses a set of procedures to organize our negative and positive feelings, emotions, and thoughts, and then uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or alternating tapping or auditory or tactile stimulation, as a way to help you effectively work through those disturbing memories.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an effective therapeutic modality which has been proven to be effective for various presenting problems such as addictions, depression, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, marriage issues, and other mental health challenges. CBT is a form of talk-therapy. The core principles of CBT would indicate that our challenges are based on our unhelpful ways of thinking and unhelpful learned behaviours. As a result, CBT assists clients with finding better coping strategies in order to alleviate one’s symptoms. Treatment often includes looking at our cognitive distortions and finding ways to reframe them in healthy ways. CBT often involves understanding our behavioural patterns and challenging ourselves to change unhelpful patterns by replacing them with new and more adaptive behaviours. This is often established by utilizing “homework” or weekly challenges, which can help reinforce the more adaptive ways of thinking, feeling and behaving.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT is an effective evidence based modality which primarily focuses on helping clients manage their intense emotions which often causes feelings of distress. It uses 4 core principles and techniques which includes: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness. And Emotion Regulation.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) meets the high gold standards of the American Psychological Association (APA) and is practiced globally. Over the course of 30+ years, EFT has been empirically validated through years of rigorous research, and has consistently yielded positive outcomes. It has been proven to be successful with addressing comorbid presenting problems within a couple such as depression, anxiety, PTSD etc. EFT focuses on the attachment bond, the cycle of the couple, and the “music” in between. This can foster the healing of attachment injuries, deep rooted wounds and miscommunication between the couple. It helps couples “hear” each other in an intimate way, and helps to increase a deeper level of understanding of the other.
Sandplay Therapy
Jungian Sandplay Therapy is a non-directive, non-verbal therapeutic technique that harnesses the natural capacity of the psyche for healing. By providing a ‘free and protected space’ with a safe, non-judgmental therapist, Sandplay Therapy allows clients to explore and address inner and unconscious conflicts through symbolic representations in a sandtray. Clients use miniature objects, water, and sand to create scenes that reflect their inner world, offering a unique way to express and process emotions that may be difficult to articulate verbally. The therapist facilitates this process without analyzing or interpreting the sand trays, allowing clients to uncover and integrate unconscious material at their own pace. This approach is particularly effective for both children and adults, aiding in the expression of feelings, resolution of past traumas, and overall emotional healing.
Play Therapy
Play Therapy leverages children’s natural form of communication—play—to help them express and process their thoughts and feelings in a way that feels intuitive and safe. Through creative activities such as unstructured play, drawing, painting, games, and role-plays, Play Therapy allows children to communicate and address their difficulties with psychological distance, making challenging emotions and experiences easier to confront. Research indicates that this approach can significantly improve emotional regulation, enhance social skills, develop coping strategies, build self-esteem, and strengthen stress management. By creating a supportive and secure environment, Play Therapy helps children navigate trauma, anxiety, and other challenges, often resulting in positive behavioral and emotional changes. As Gary Landreth aptly put it, "Toys are children’s words, and play is their language."
Contributions
I have worked with youth and their families through after school programming at both the Toronto City Mission and Scott Mission.
I have also co-founded an anti-sex trafficking organization which provides case management, and advocacy to those who have experienced sex trafficking and sexual exploitation for the past 10 years.
In 2023, I was awarded the Distinguished Alumni- Horizon Award from Tyndale University. This is awarded to an alumnus who has made an impact in the community within 10 years of graduation.
Our practice now partners with Malvern Family Resource Centre (MFRC) where we provide support to their staff and the Malvern community.
