Welcome!
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Spring has always been my favourite time of year. It feels so hopeful and positive, and that warm sun on my face feels so good after months of being indoors and wearing scarves. Every year, I feel relieved about making it through another Edmonton winter and am excited for the summer ahead. It made sense to me that I wanted to name my therapy practice “Spring.” For me, this word means triumph through difficult time and promise for a sunny future. My hope is that we can help you find YOUR Spring- the feeling of hope and excitement, after what may have felt like a very long winter.
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Despite the hard work that occurs in the therapy room, I strive to ensure there is a hope focus that highlights your unique strengths.
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I offer both in-person and teletherapy.
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As recommended by the Psychology Association of Alberta (PAA), session fees are $220. Please note that sliding scale fees are available.
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103, 9618 – 42 Ave NW, Edmonton AB
About Me
I am a trauma informed, compassion focused therapist who uses a client-focused lens in session. I appreciate that making the decision to attend therapy can be difficult and my first goal is to provide a space that feels safe to you. This means going at your speed, providing choices, and offering in-session strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety and overwhelm. I recognize that each of us carry our own stories and that our current patterns of thinking and behaviour are often due to experiences in our past. I believe each of us is capable of positive change and growth and I focus on my client’s strengths and wisdom as we collaborate to generate solutions for a way forward.
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I have an eclectic approach to therapy, which means I believe that the treatment plan for each client is as unique as the client themselves. I have training in treating complex trauma and have certificates in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for working with both adults and children. I also have training in Self-Compassion, Polyvagal Theory, Sensorimotor Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. Further, I love to provide information (psychoeducation) about how our bodies work and why they are doing those things that make us uncomfortable. I also incorporate mindfulness, body-based techniques, breathing strategies, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and strategies to increase affect (emotional) tolerance.
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When working with children, I incorporate a variety of techniques including EMDR, psychoeducation, play, art, crafts, and stories with the goal of both supporting the child and increasing their ability to learn from themselves and feel confident in their abilities.
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I provide counselling to adults, teens, and children over 5 years of age with a wide variety of experiences and needs, including: trauma, anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem/low self-compassion, panic attacks, emotional dysregulation, neglect, attachment wounds, grief, communication concerns, boundaries, and assertiveness.
Therapy for Children and Youth
I am happy to work with teens, youth, and children over the age of 5.Here are some things to know before getting started:
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Prior to meeting with your child, I like to have a session with at least one of the parents so that we can speak about the concerns you are noting at home or school. I ask that theparent(s) attend alone as we do not want to add to the child’s distress.
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While parents are able to ask questions about their child’s work in session, I have found it to be helpful for kids to have their own space in which they are free to process and share their feelings. This is of course up to you. Part of informed consent is determining whattype of information you would need to be informed of, and of course, if there are ever safety concerns pertaining to your child, I will ensure that information is conveyed to youpromptly.
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After meeting with the parent(s) alone, I will spend the first few minutes of the initialchild session with the parent present. We will go over consent, confidentiality, and whatto expect in therapy. It can be beneficial to have everyone present at this to so thateveryone hears the same message and has the same expectations.
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I do not work with children whose parents are in high conflict separations/divorces.
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If parents are separated or divorced, I require consent from both parents.