My approach to counselling stems from the conviction that, at their core, people are powerful, and capable, and good. We have a natural, ingrained desire to grow and flourish, to have strong emotional connections with others, and to become our best self. This natural movement towards greater happiness and freedom can become stuck, blocked by the need to protect ourselves from a world that is not always safe. This can result from difficult experiences from long ago in childhood, but also from adult experiences or even something happening in your life right now.

Counselling is a process of becoming more fully yourself, of becoming unstuck. When done well, it can be a liberating experience, but it is also important to know that the therapy process often involves confronting difficult emotions. This is because sadness, anxiety, anger, and even apathy (being disconnected from your own feelings) are what guide us to where change will be most beneficial. It is part of my responsibility, as the therapist, to only explore those difficult feelings when you are ready for it. There are several different ways of practicing counselling and each counsellor has a unique approach. I use a person-centered, emotion-focused approach.