Brushed by Cedar Counselling

AREAS OF EXPERTISE/FOCUS

I work with adults as individuals and couples. 

My primary areas of focus are often interconnected: relationships and couples therapy; grief and loss; trauma; and women's health.

​Relationships

Relationship work can include caregiving of a child(ren) or other adult (including an ailing parent or partner, or an adult child). Relationship work also includes relationship with self. This could be doing work related to one's family of origin, breaking the cycle of intergenerational patterns, inner/vulnerable child exploration, or personal growth such as exploring attachment wounds and schemas, boundary setting, self-worth, self-trust, self-compassion, and mindfulness practice.

​I am passionate about working with couples to deepen their understanding and connection to one another. Couples work often focuses on impacts of major life events, deepening connection, and working through relationship conflict. Family work includes family relationships and conflicts (both present and historical), impacts of major life events, blended families, and caregiving of children and/or parents, relationship discernment, and separation or divorce (including co-parenting).

​Grief and Loss

Grief and loss work can extend beyond death of a loved one. Grief and loss includes preparatory or anticipatory grief, ambiguous loss (such as miscarriage or caring for someone with dementia), attachment grief (such as loss of a child), or the end of a relationship (such as divorce or severing of a relationship with family of origin).

​I also work with individuals and families who are going through the process of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) or Palliative Care. Support can include preparatory or anticipatory grief for both the individual and/or family, life review and legacy, final wishes, unfinished business, caregiver stress, and bereavement.

 Trauma

I work with individuals who have experienced both 'big T' and 'little t' traumas. Little t trauma is described as a distressing event that does not threaten life or bodily integrity, and big T trauma is described as an event that threatens life or bodily integrity. I also work with people who have experienced historical trauma (such as witnessing violence, or the loss of a caregiver as a child), intergenerational trauma (a family system impacted by change or loss of culture due to colonization, or unhealthy family cycles and patterns), and people impacted by systemic oppression (navigating systems of oppression, such as the healthcare system).

​I care deeply about working with people who have been afflicted by colonial trauma (such as residential school survivors and those impacted by intergenerational trauma due to colonization).

​Women's Health

I work with women who are experiencing physical and emotional challenges related to but not limited to fertility, pregnancy, and child birth.

APPROACH

I practice from a bio-psycho-social-spiritual lens encompassing healing centered engagement. I draw from family systems, attachment theories, emotion focused therapy, lifespan development, collaborative helping, response-based practice, and mindfulness practice. 

I also have training in Motivational Interviewing, Feedback Informed Treatment, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Level 1 & 2 Gottman Couples Method. I have been privileged to work extensively with Indigenous communities over the last sixteen years, and I believe my Indigenous and non-Indigenous roots enhance my ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds. My practice is centered on mutual respect and relationship, which I believe helps establish a safe space for personal exploration, growth, and healing.