Focus, Approach and Training
I am a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. I am also a Canadian Certified - Perinatal Mental Health (CC-PMH) clinician and a Level 1 Internal Family Systems (IFS) trained therapist. My main areas of focus include:
Stress, burnout, or feeling generally overwhelmed
Anxiety and depression
Perinatal mental health including postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Childhood Trauma
Parenting strategies and skills
I work holistically, meaning that I consider all parts of the person and the system around them. My primary approach is Internal Family Systems, and my style involves approaching conversations with curiosity and inviting you to tune in to the different parts of you. Together we work towards healing wounded parts and increasing confidence, clarity, and connection to your authentic Self. I ask questions and guide conversations to help us both come to understand your experience in a different way. Oftentimes this approach is enough to make the change you are looking for, and other times I will incorporate other types of therapy, including:
Narrative Therapy
Polyvagal Theory
Solution Focused Therapy (SFT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Emotion Focused Skills Training (EFST)
Relational-Cultural Therapy
Family Systems Theory
Attachment Based Therapy
Trauma Informed Therapy
Anti-oppressive Practices
While I have attended countless trainings and workshops over the years, these are the most notable:
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1 Training, IFS Institute, July-November 2024
Clinical Applications of Internal Family Systems Therapy, March 2024
2-Day Trauma Conference, Bessel van der Kolk, December 2023
Various Internal Family Systems (IFS) workshops, November 2023
Emotion Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) for Attachment Trauma, September 2023
Postpartum Anxiety, Rage, and Burnout, June 2023
Trauma Treatment Certification Training, April 2023
Advancing Perinatal Counselling Tools and Skills, January 2023
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Training, October 2022
Polyvagal Essentials Training, September 2022
Perinatal Mental Health Certification, April-June 2022
Eating Disorder Sensitive Workshop, December 2021
Various Trauma Treatment Workshops, October-December 2021
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Training, December 2019
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Training, October 2019
Emotion Focused Skills Training (Parent Therapy), November 2019
Sandtray Therapy Training, June 2019
Brief Competency-Based Therapy (Narrative Therapy), September 2015-June 2016
Triple P Primary Care and Seminars (Parent Therapy), December 2015
Family Systems Training, Sharon Ramsey (Family Therapy), March 2015
Trauma and Attachment Training, Geraldine Crisci, October 2013-May 2014
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Foundational Skills, April 2012