Finding the right therapeutic fit is one of the most important factors in creating a safe, effective, and meaningful therapy experience. Each therapist brings a unique blend of training, experience, and focus—and each person seeking therapy has their own set of needs, goals, and preferences. This page is here to help you get a clearer sense of the kinds of concerns I’m especially well-suited to support, as well as the areas where I may recommend a different provider to ensure you receive the most appropriate care.
Areas of Special Interest
recent or single-event trauma
When faced with recent traumatic events or single-event trauma, it’s common for individuals to initially attempt to compartmentalize those experiences, pushing the distressing memories aside, allowing them to cope and function in the midst of adversity. However, it’s important to recognize that these emotions and memories may linger beneath the surface, influencing one’s longer-term wellbeing. Seeking support provides a valuable outlet for understanding and navigating the emotions associated with the trauma. Through acknowledgment, compassionate exploration, and appropriate interventions, individuals can often work through the impact of recent or single-event trauma, fostering resilience and creating a pathway towards healing and recovery.
finding meaning and purpose
Social expectations, pressure from friends and family, living with the constant belief that we “should” be doing this or that when our hearts aren’t in it. Living out of alignment can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. Conversations designed to help us understand our true purpose, and then building a life that is in alignment with our values, can help us feel more at ease in our day to day lives.
stress management
Life can be hard sometimes. Really hard. When we have little control over the circumstances that create stress, we can often benefit from learning skills and strategies to help manage our stress. But learning them isn’t enough. We need to commit to practicing these strategies regularly so that we can implement them when we need them. Are you ready to make this commitment to yourself?
When Another Provider May Be a Better Fit
The field of mental health is vast and varied, and no single therapist can offer specialized care in every area. I believe in being transparent about the limits of my scope of practice so that individuals can access the most appropriate and effective support for their unique needs. In some cases, this may mean referring clients to other programs or professionals who have specific training or experience in areas that fall outside of my focus.
Examples of concerns for which I would typically refer out include:
- Active substance dependence that would interfere with the therapeutic process
- Severe and persistent mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders
- Complex personality disorders, such as borderline or narcissistic personality disorder
- High-risk or acute safety concerns such as active thoughts of suicide with a plan or self-harm behaviours requiring medical intervention
If you’re unsure where to start, I recommend using Psychology Today’s therapist directory and filtering by issue, treatment approach, and location to find a provider who aligns with your needs. This can be a helpful first step toward finding the right fit.