How I work
The counselling support I offer is based on collaboration, consent and trust. Honouring each client's autonomy and agency is at the centre of my work.
Every client sets their own goals and decide what they want to focus on. I help them identify the most meaningful pathway towards change. Together, we explore alternative perspectives, access insight, and build on their unique strengths to bring about their desired outcomes.
The approach I use is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. SFBT is an evidence-based and trauma-informed approach that creates positive outcomes for a variety of life issues and personal health challenges.
SFBT strengthens inner resources, inspires hope and optimism, and does not require clients to revisit their most difficult past experiences, unless they want to. This creates choice and safety to engage in meaningful exploration.
I started working with this approach when I was a volunteer counsellor at Cowichan Family Life Association from 2020 (during the onset of Covid) until 2024 (when the agency unfortunately had to close its doors). CFLA offered affordable-to-no-cost counselling support to underserved adults, and had long waitlists. In order to serve as many clients as possible, CFLA used an 8-session model of weekly sessions. SFBT works beautifully in this type of therapeutic setting, and I found it to be so consistently effective that I decided to take a deep dive into it.
My work is also informed by the research and contributions of Dr. Carl Rogers, and his person-centred, humanistic approach to therapy. Rogers found that in order to be healing, the relationship between client and therapist must be based on authenticity, warmth, and unconditional positive regard. I experienced this first-hand with my own therapist. It was truly life-changing work.
I have practiced daily meditation since 1997 and, when relevant, I use simple mindfulness and somatic grounding techniques during sessions. This helps clients increase their self-awareness and connection to the present moment, supports nervous-system regulation, and restores a felt-sense of safety.
