the
APPROACH
Art therapy
Art therapy combines the creative process and psychotherapy, facilitating self-exploration and understanding. Using imagery, colour and shape, thoughts and feelings can be expressed that would otherwise be difficult to articulate.
- Canadian Art Therapy Association
CANADIANARTTHERAPY.ORG
Cognitive behavioural therapy
CBT helps people learn to identify, question and change how their thoughts, attitudes and beliefs relate to the emotional and behavioural reactions that cause them difficulty.
- The Centre for Addiction & Mental Health
CAMH.CA
Mindfulness-based
Mindfulness is... an invitation to focus on what we are doing, thinking, and feeling in this moment. It's also a skill developed by deciding to slow down and be curious about the things we're experiencing.
- Canadian Mental Health Association
EDMONTON.CMHA.CA
Play therapy
Play therapy builds on the natural way children learn about themselves and the world around them. Through the play therapy process, children develop the sense that they can safely communicate and express feelings, while learning new ways of coping and relating to others.
- Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute
RMPTI.COM
Person-centered
Person-centered therapy is a type of therapy in which people are viewed as the experts of their own lives. The person-centered therapist strives to understand and create a safe space in which clients are supported to explore their own strengths and grow.
- Evangeline Barrow
YELLOWTREETHERAPY.COM
Strengths-based
Strengths-Based Therapy is focused on helping you identify your strengths and resources, rather than focusing on weaknesses and failure, and orients you toward using those strengths and resources to thrive.
- Evangeline Barrow
YELLOWTREETHERAPY.COM
Narrative therapy
Narrative therapy is a collaborative and non-pathologizing approach that [centers] people as the experts of their own lives. [It] views problems as separate from people and assumes people [have] many skills, abilities, [and] values... that will assist them to change.
- Narrative Therapy Centre
NARRATIVETHERAPYCENTRE.COM
Trauma & violence informed
A trauma-informed approach reflects adherence to six key principles: Safety; trustworthiness and transparency; peer support; collaboration and mutuality; empowerment, voice and choice; and cultural, historical, and gender issues.
- Community Connections
MENTALHEALTH.ORG
Summary
OF APPROACH
My approach is holistic and informed by theory and practice from the approaches above.
People seek therapy for many different reasons. Simply put, they usually want to feel heard and supported, and are often seeking help to figure something out. Sometimes clients have a clear idea of what they want help with right from the start, and sometimes a big part of the journey is figuring out what direction to go in. That direction might unfold and change up until, and beyond, your final session.
Wherever you’re at when you start therapy, I believe that each person faces unique challenges and barriers and, with that, they bring a unique set of strengths and values that can help them thrive. I also believe that creativity is essential to finding solutions and to personal growth. Creativity opens us to new possibilities by helping us see things from different perspectives. I endeavor to facilitate healing and growth by creating a safe space; helping you access and use your strengths; and working with you to find creative ways forward.
Most problems are multifaceted and involve interactions between our thoughts, emotions, sensations, and behaviors. Moreover, all problems occur within a context. I acknowledge the multifaceted nature of problems and work toward solutions in a way that honors and incorporates those various parts. To this end, it can be helpful to incorporate art making into our work. Making art requires you to actively engage your brain (thoughts) and your body (sensations and actions), and can expand emotional expression. Furthermore, art provides a non-verbal means of exploring context and experiences that are difficult to articulate. Learn more about Art Therapy here. I respect that some people may not wish to use art in therapy, and I'm happy to explore creative ways forward through traditional talk therapy with you.
Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day.
- Shira Tamir
Goal setting
Part of therapy is figuring out what you want and need, and learning to communicate that to others. Setting goals for our work together helps me tailor my approach to you. It’s also a good way for us to track progress and find out what works or doesn’t work. In our first sessions, we’ll discuss what brings you in and I’ll help you develop goals that fit for you (your first goal might be to set a second goal for therapy!).
Pace
Therapy should move at a pace that works for you. It's most important that you feel safe and supported in therapy. It's also important that you have opportunities for growth. To this end, I may challenge you at times, and I will check in with you periodically to ensure the pace is right. I also ask that you communicate with me the best you can, so we can find the right pace. If things are going too fast or slow, let me know.
