Services Offered
Individual Counselling
I provide individual counselling and psychotherapy sessions to individuals with a wide variety of issues, some of which are listed below.
I will initially meet with you for a longer session that may last up to 1 1/2 hours. In this first session, I will try to get to know you by collecting a history from you in the form of a brief snapshot of your life. I will ask about where you are from, who is in your family, how you got along and how you get along now. I will ask you to tell me about significant events in your life, both positive and negative and the impact you feel they have had on you.
My goal in doing this is to try to understand the values and the circumstances that create the backdrop of your life and what role models you have for how to live your life and how to be in relationships. I am also curious about the supports you presently have in your life and how you are able and willing to make use of them.
All of this information helps me to understand how you have arrived at the point in your life where you are now and why you have decided to seek assistance at this time.
At the end of this initial assessment session, we will collaborate to make a plan and set up goals and a time frame in which to work. These are tailor-made to meet your needs. Regular therapy sessions last 50-55 minutes.
It is important to recognize that counselling is not about a therapist advising you how to fix yourself or your life. It is rather a joint exploration about where the difficulties lie and developing new strategies and creative options and making different and healthier choices to enhance the quality of your life.
Some of the issues that clients explore in individual therapy are:
I provide couple therapy to couples who are experiencing difficulties with a wide variety of issues, some of which are listed below.
I will initially meet with both you and your partner for a longer session that may last up to 1 1/2 hours. In this first session, I will try to get to know each of you by collecting a history from you in the form of a brief snapshot of your life. I will ask about where you are from, who is in your family, how you got along and how you get along now. I will ask you to tell me about significant events in your life, both positive and negative and the impact you feel they have had on you.
My goal in doing this is to try to understand the values and the circumstances that create the backdrop of your life and what role models you have for how to live your life and how to be in relationships. I am also curious about the supports you presently have in your life and how you are able and willing to make use of them.
I will ask both partners for input on each other’s snapshots whether there is additional information that was left out or a different perspective on a significant event or relationship.
All of this information helps me to understand how you have arrived at the point in your lives and in your relationship and usually leads to the reason that you have decided to seek assistance at this time.
In the following two sessions, I request to meet with each partner individually. I do this so that I may experience each of you as individuals and notice if and how you might be different in the absence of your partner. My intent in these individual sessions is to gain a better understanding of the two individual involved in this relationship. I will use my professional discretion as to what is valuable and useful from these individual sessions to bring into our couple sessions and will help each partner work toward openness with one another.
The fourth session is a joint session in which we all meet together and make a plan and set up goals and a time frame in which to work.
Relationships are works in progress and need tender loving care and thoughtful, mindful attention. Conflict is a healthy and normal part of any relationship and does not in itself destroy a relationship. Learning practical and useful communication and conflict resolution skills are often the key to improving relationships.
However, it is vital to recognize that each partner comes into the relationship with a lifetime of experiences both good and bad that influences their perceptions and their behaviours. Couple therapy aims to help both partners recognize patterns in how they conduct themselves in the relationships and develop improved skills and abilities to make healthy positive changes.
I believe that respect is one of the most critical elements in a healthy relationship. I do not think that you can love someone you do not respect. If you and your partner do not share values, this may present a barrier in your relationship to respecting one another.
I do not believe that every marriage can or ought to be ‘saved’. Nor do I believe that it is my position to make that decision for any couple.
The process of couple therapy is to assist a couple to determine what is best for them. Sometimes my job is to act as a coach and sometimes it is to help couples separate in a manner that is positive and least harmful to both partners and children.
Some of the issues that are addressed in couple therapy are:
I provide individual counselling and psychotherapy sessions to individuals with a wide variety of issues, some of which are listed below.
I will initially meet with you for a longer session that may last up to 1 1/2 hours. In this first session, I will try to get to know you by collecting a history from you in the form of a brief snapshot of your life. I will ask about where you are from, who is in your family, how you got along and how you get along now. I will ask you to tell me about significant events in your life, both positive and negative and the impact you feel they have had on you.
My goal in doing this is to try to understand the values and the circumstances that create the backdrop of your life and what role models you have for how to live your life and how to be in relationships. I am also curious about the supports you presently have in your life and how you are able and willing to make use of them.
All of this information helps me to understand how you have arrived at the point in your life where you are now and why you have decided to seek assistance at this time.
At the end of this initial assessment session, we will collaborate to make a plan and set up goals and a time frame in which to work. These are tailor-made to meet your needs. Regular therapy sessions last 50-55 minutes.
It is important to recognize that counselling is not about a therapist advising you how to fix yourself or your life. It is rather a joint exploration about where the difficulties lie and developing new strategies and creative options and making different and healthier choices to enhance the quality of your life.
Some of the issues that clients explore in individual therapy are:
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Self Esteem Relationships Separation Sexual Issues/Sexual Trauma Life Choices Life Stages Loss/Grief Work/Life Balance Anxiety Stress Abuse Women's Issues |
Assertiveness Infidelity Divorce Parenting Transitions Relocation Aging Interpersonal conflict Depression
Anger Management
Family of Origin Issues
Men's Issues |
I provide couple therapy to couples who are experiencing difficulties with a wide variety of issues, some of which are listed below.
I will initially meet with both you and your partner for a longer session that may last up to 1 1/2 hours. In this first session, I will try to get to know each of you by collecting a history from you in the form of a brief snapshot of your life. I will ask about where you are from, who is in your family, how you got along and how you get along now. I will ask you to tell me about significant events in your life, both positive and negative and the impact you feel they have had on you.
My goal in doing this is to try to understand the values and the circumstances that create the backdrop of your life and what role models you have for how to live your life and how to be in relationships. I am also curious about the supports you presently have in your life and how you are able and willing to make use of them.
I will ask both partners for input on each other’s snapshots whether there is additional information that was left out or a different perspective on a significant event or relationship.
All of this information helps me to understand how you have arrived at the point in your lives and in your relationship and usually leads to the reason that you have decided to seek assistance at this time.
In the following two sessions, I request to meet with each partner individually. I do this so that I may experience each of you as individuals and notice if and how you might be different in the absence of your partner. My intent in these individual sessions is to gain a better understanding of the two individual involved in this relationship. I will use my professional discretion as to what is valuable and useful from these individual sessions to bring into our couple sessions and will help each partner work toward openness with one another.
The fourth session is a joint session in which we all meet together and make a plan and set up goals and a time frame in which to work.
Relationships are works in progress and need tender loving care and thoughtful, mindful attention. Conflict is a healthy and normal part of any relationship and does not in itself destroy a relationship. Learning practical and useful communication and conflict resolution skills are often the key to improving relationships.
However, it is vital to recognize that each partner comes into the relationship with a lifetime of experiences both good and bad that influences their perceptions and their behaviours. Couple therapy aims to help both partners recognize patterns in how they conduct themselves in the relationships and develop improved skills and abilities to make healthy positive changes.
I believe that respect is one of the most critical elements in a healthy relationship. I do not think that you can love someone you do not respect. If you and your partner do not share values, this may present a barrier in your relationship to respecting one another.
I do not believe that every marriage can or ought to be ‘saved’. Nor do I believe that it is my position to make that decision for any couple.
The process of couple therapy is to assist a couple to determine what is best for them. Sometimes my job is to act as a coach and sometimes it is to help couples separate in a manner that is positive and least harmful to both partners and children.
Some of the issues that are addressed in couple therapy are:
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Communication Affairs/Infidelity Dependency Sexual issues Parenting Remarriage Financial Stresses |
Conflict Resolution Trust Intimacy Sexual Trauma Family Involvement Blended Families Fertility Issue |
Sex Therapy
I provide sex therapy both for individual and couples addressing a wide variety of issues listed below. Given that sexual issues are often difficult to discuss with family and friends, I strive to be respectful of your values and provide an accepting and non-judgemental environment where it is safe to discuss whatever your issues might be.
Much like individual or couple work, I will initially meet with you for a longer session that may last up to 1 1/2 hours. In this first session, I will try to get to know you by collecting a history from you in the form of a brief snapshot of your life. I will ask about where you are from, who is in your family, how you got along and how you get along now. I will ask you to tell me about significant events in your life, both positive and negative and the impact you feel they have had on you. In addition, I will ask about your sexual history and how your sexual attitudes and experience has been influenced by others in your life and your own experiences.
My goal in doing this is to try to understand the values and the circumstances that create the backdrop of your life and what role models you have for how to live your life and how to be in relationships. I am also curious about the supports you presently have in your life and how you are able and willing to make use of them.
All of this information helps me to understand how you have arrived at the point in your life where you are now and why you have decided to seek assistance at this time.
At the end of this initial assessment session, we will work together to make a plan and set up goals and a time frame in which to work. These are tailor-made to meet your needs. Regular therapy sessions last 50-55 minutes.
It is important to recognize that counselling is not about a therapist advising you how to fix yourself or your life. It is rather a joint exploration about where the difficulties lie and developing new options and making different choices to enhance the quality of your life.
Some of the issues that clients explore in both individual and couple sex therapy are:
I provide sex therapy both for individual and couples addressing a wide variety of issues listed below. Given that sexual issues are often difficult to discuss with family and friends, I strive to be respectful of your values and provide an accepting and non-judgemental environment where it is safe to discuss whatever your issues might be.
Much like individual or couple work, I will initially meet with you for a longer session that may last up to 1 1/2 hours. In this first session, I will try to get to know you by collecting a history from you in the form of a brief snapshot of your life. I will ask about where you are from, who is in your family, how you got along and how you get along now. I will ask you to tell me about significant events in your life, both positive and negative and the impact you feel they have had on you. In addition, I will ask about your sexual history and how your sexual attitudes and experience has been influenced by others in your life and your own experiences.
My goal in doing this is to try to understand the values and the circumstances that create the backdrop of your life and what role models you have for how to live your life and how to be in relationships. I am also curious about the supports you presently have in your life and how you are able and willing to make use of them.
All of this information helps me to understand how you have arrived at the point in your life where you are now and why you have decided to seek assistance at this time.
At the end of this initial assessment session, we will work together to make a plan and set up goals and a time frame in which to work. These are tailor-made to meet your needs. Regular therapy sessions last 50-55 minutes.
It is important to recognize that counselling is not about a therapist advising you how to fix yourself or your life. It is rather a joint exploration about where the difficulties lie and developing new options and making different choices to enhance the quality of your life.
Some of the issues that clients explore in both individual and couple sex therapy are:
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Infidelites and affairs Loss of attraction Painful intercourse No sexual desire Gender identity |
Loss of passion/desire Feeling sexually inadequate Not experiencing orgasms Issues with ejaculation Pornography Sexual orientation |
Group Therapy
I am a strong believer in group therapy. I see it as perhaps one of the most productive and powerful formats in which to learn about yourself and gain perspective on your situation and your role in maintaining it and your options for making changes.
Group therapy is similar to individual and couple therapy in that the focus is to help people improve the quality of their lives. The groups usually consist of between 8 to 10 individuals and may be a single gender or mixed gender group.
Although some groups are geared to addressing specific issues that are relevant to a certain life experience or stages, (Adults molested as children, Separation and Divorce), most groups generally address how to make positive improvements in interpersonal relationships.
The theory behind group therapy is that it provides a safe environment to not only work on personal issues, but to get feedback about how others perceive you and your behavior. The feedback is usually both challenging and supportive. It also provides a forum in which you can experiment in making behavioural changes in your interpersonal relationships and receive feedback about those changes.
As your therapist, it is my responsibility and obligation to you to ensure that the group composition is one that is conducive to developing trust and respect to help you explore your issues. Each group member is carefully selected to complement the group composition.
In order to do that, I meet with clients individually and conduct an individual assessment (see individual therapy) and try to get to know you and get a sense of who you are and what your issues and your goals are. This helps me to determine how you would fit into a particular group.
Some groups members all join the group at the same time while others join a group that is already in progress. It is my job to help the group integrate new members and for new members to integrate into an ongoing group.
All group members must agree to maintain confidentiality as a condition of membership.
Groups meet for 1 1/2 hours on a weekly basis.
Some of the issues that are addressed in group therapy are:
Group Therapy Concerns
Some people fear that in being in a group session they are not getting the undivided attention of the therapist. As a therapist, I have only a certain amount of life experience. There is little chance I will have experienced the same situation as you are now in. Even if I had, the fact that I am a different human being with a very different history, will make my experience different from yours. That is true of all clients. However, you do have the opportunity to work with others that may have lived through or are living through similar situations and by participating in their explorations and hearing other options that have been tried, you may learn much about yourself and consider alternate perspectives that may have not presented themselves to you on your own and even in individual therapy.
Another concern that people have around group therapy is ‘airing their dirty linen in public’. Often we feel very alone and isolated in our lives, especially if we are having difficulties. Rather than being a forum to expose oneself, group therapy provides an opportunity to be heard, receive empathy and support from others and to realize that you are not alone and that you have the understanding and support of others who care about you.
Educational seminars
Educational seminars are tailored to small groups of individuals who are interested in learning some basic skills and knowledge about a particular topic. These seminars are available to be presented as lunch-and-learn one hour sessions in a work environment.
Both anger management and conflict resolution sessions are also available to clients in a group format who may need to meet mandated legal requirements.
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Adults molested as children Interpersonal Relationships Men's Group |
Life Choices and Directions Separation and Divorce Women's Group |
Group Therapy Concerns
Some people fear that in being in a group session they are not getting the undivided attention of the therapist. As a therapist, I have only a certain amount of life experience. There is little chance I will have experienced the same situation as you are now in. Even if I had, the fact that I am a different human being with a very different history, will make my experience different from yours. That is true of all clients. However, you do have the opportunity to work with others that may have lived through or are living through similar situations and by participating in their explorations and hearing other options that have been tried, you may learn much about yourself and consider alternate perspectives that may have not presented themselves to you on your own and even in individual therapy.
Another concern that people have around group therapy is ‘airing their dirty linen in public’. Often we feel very alone and isolated in our lives, especially if we are having difficulties. Rather than being a forum to expose oneself, group therapy provides an opportunity to be heard, receive empathy and support from others and to realize that you are not alone and that you have the understanding and support of others who care about you. Educational seminars
Educational seminars are tailored to small groups of individuals who are interested in learning some basic skills and knowledge about a particular topic. These seminars are available to be presented as lunch-and-learn one hour sessions in a work environment.
Both anger management and conflict resolution sessions are also available to clients in a group format who may need to meet mandated legal requirements.
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Anger management Relocation |
Conflict Resolution Parenting |