“A self that goes on changing is a self that goes on living” Virginia Woolf
Life is always moving. There are events we want to hold onto and others we try hard to forget. You can’t change what you’ve experienced but you can decide the meaning you give it.
About Me
My practice focuses on helping youth and adults experiencing anxiety and stress. I am a Registered Social Worker who has extensive experience as I have been practicing for over 20 years. I hold a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and Bachelor of Science from McMaster University. Before moving into private practice I worked in the medical and education sectors supporting the mental health needs of youth and adults. I am also a Board Certified Neurofeedback practitioner registered with the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance.
Support From The Inside Out
Therapy and Neurofeedback
Right now you could go online and chose from thousands of self help books. There’s literally a book for everything, but in the end nothing replaces the experience of therapy. Therapy is a space for you to learn new skills and develop more self awareness. Therapists have the chance to see your life from a new and unique lens. I use my clinical and life experience to create an environment that feels relatable. I understand struggle and uncertainty in my own life as a parent, partner and friend. It shows up in how I connect with my clients through openness, interest and care. I also understand that sometimes you need more then therapy. If you have been in therapy for some time but find you are suffering then neurofeedback may help. I practice High Performance Neurofeedback which has the capacity to shift the brain out of stuck patterns and reset your nervous system to a healthier baseline. This can make therapy more effective as well.
Anxiety
Whether you have a diagnosis of anxiety or are experiencing chronic worry and stress, I can help. Anxiety can be a physical and mental experience that interferes with your life and ability to be present in it. It can show up as nagging, difficult thoughts that seem to replay over and over. Physically people can experience everything from discomfort to full panic attacks. The good news is that anxiety is something you can learn to manage. I work clients to develop practical skills but also develop a greater understanding of their anxiety: what’s underlying it and what it means for you.
Life Transitions
We can find ourselves at many crossroads in our lives. Maybe its leaping into your first job out of school or looking for a new career after many years. Sometimes it’s changes to the family unit, loss of loved ones, relationships or new health concerns that are overwhelming. Working through grief, stress or facing burnout is not easy. I’ll help you to look closer at your unique experience so you can move forward.
Therapy for Children and Teens
I work with kids age 5 and over experiencing anxiety and stress. I’ve had over 20 years of experience working with youth in children’s mental health and in the school system. Whether it’s managing school, social issues or life transitions, I’m here to help. Young children really benefit from a space to share and explore emotions, which I do through play based therapy. With teens, I support them to develop self awareness and skills to manage difficult emotions.
High Performance Neurofeedback
Over the years I've seen countless clients do amazing work in therapy but still struggle. No matter what changes they did they were stuck. The clients felt defeated and so did I at times. I found neurofeedback and it changed how I see mental health. I currently use High Performance Neurofeedback which is a system that delivers a gentle frequency to the brain that shifts it out of stuck patterns. It is not painful and it doesn't require the client to do any work. When the brain holds the healthier frequency given, clients can experience amazing relief as the brain is in a healthier state.
Next steps
I'd love to hear from you. Please fill out this form or go to Get In Touch to book a consult now in my calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fee for your services?
Currently I provide individual therapy virtually and in person. Sessions are 50 min in length at a fee of $185 in person through Toronto Neurofeedback and Psychotherapy Centre. My virtual practice Friday is $150 per session. While private social work services are not covered under OHIP many extended health benefits offer coverage. You are encouraged to check with your service provider. Receipts are provided at the end of each session for you to submit for reimbursement.
How many sessions will be needed?
This is a great question and truthfully it varies. At the start of therapy I recommend booking once a week for the first 4 weeks. This helps to build the relationship and get some traction in therapy. After this some clients pull back on frequency while others continue weekly. The number of sessions is driven by your needs and goals. Some goals take more time to reach while others are achieved quickly. Finances, time and readiness to work are also factors. We will work around what makes sense for you.
Is HPN neurofeedback right for me?
HPN can be used across many conditions including depression, anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, PTSD as well as concussions and TBI. There are some neurological conditions where HPN is not recommended. We can look at your individual needs and symptoms to see if HPN is a fit. I love to talk about neurofeedback and its benefits, so I encourage you to reach out for a consult with me.
What types of therapy do you offer?
I only practice individual therapy. If during our work we find that you could use connections to couples or family work I will help you to find that. In terms of my work I’ve been trained in cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy skills, acceptance and commitment therapy, solution focused and family systems. With young children I use play based interventions and cognitive behavioural therapy. More importantly I’m person centred and relationship focused In everything I do.
Do you offer in person services?
At this time I offer both virtual and in person therapy. Virtual therapy offers you the convenience of being able to jump into a session from any location. Many people prefer the comfort of their own home or just the convenience of not having to travel. Virtual therapy feels comfortable and you get used to if very quickly. I use a safe and PHIPA compliant platform called Jane, to ensure your privacy is protected.
How involved can I be in my child’s therapy sessions?
When I begin working with youth I like to connect with both the teen/child and parents to establish how we will communicate progress and/or concerns. With young children I like to have 10 minutes at the end of our sessions to connect with parents. What I share is decided mutually with your child. To create a positive experience in therapy, children need to be in the drivers seat. Like adults, youth have the right to confidentiality and it's important this is respected so establishing guidelines for communication at the start of the work will be helpful for everyone.
Book a consultation today