About My Practice
I strongly believe that human beings already have the necessary tools and resources to tackle what life presents, and it is often in the absence of a therapeutic relationship that these resources are kept from awareness. I offer a non-judgmental and open heart to my clients, so that they may feel comfortable to fully investigate these resources and their potential.
I also feel that there are as many unique paths to healing as there are individual persons on this planet. Because of this, I assume that openness and creativity in the therapeutic process are paramount to success.
The heart of my practice centers around the relationship with the self. Through experience, I have found that underneath many of the issues my clients present with (depression, anxiety, stress etc.), there is often a negative relationship with self. In other words, self-criticism causes suffering. Logically, I feel most satisfied in my work when my clients learn to love and accept themselves fully. It is from this place that real change occurs.
My goal is to provide three things for you. The first is specific tools and coping strategies that can help you feel better, right now. Second, I will give you that open heart so that you can be vulnerable and feel safe. And third, I will help you to dig deep so that the root cause of your current issues can be found and processed.
I hold a Master of Counselling Psychology from Adler University in Vancouver, and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (#16632). I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with the International Association of Trauma Professionals. In 2023, I completed a psychedelic-assisted therapy training program provided by Therapsil (Victoria). Prior to pursuing a career in mental health, I attended the University of Victoria where I completed a Master of Music (2013).
In 2018, I co-founded the White Rock Counselling Co-op, the largest counselling collective in B.C, with over 25 members and counting.
Outside of my work, I love yoga, reading, playing guitar and drums, spending time with friends and family, and exploring new foods. I play drums in a blues band and it gives me life!
Inclusivity
I celebrate and embrace human diversity. All people are welcome in my practice, regardless of faith, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, socioeconomic status, ability, age*, or any other preference or personal characteristic, condition or status.
I am a straight cisgender white male and ally of people who identify with LGBT2SQ+ identities. I’m committed to my own education and awareness of how these identities affect a person’s experience of the world. Feminist theory is an important component of my practice, and it informs how I engage with the people I support.
*other counsellors have specialized training in working with youth under 19. For this reason, I only work with people 19 and over. I am happy to recommend a counsellor better suited to working with people under this age.
Modalities Used
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a powerful form of therapy that can be helpful in resolving traumatic experiences and other mental health issues. And while the exact mechanism behind EMDR is not yet fully understood, it is believed that EMDR might engage the same process that is occurring during rapid eye movement sleep (“REM” sleep). Elements from many different treatment approaches are used to help clients find relief from their symptoms.
Although EMDR therapy is not for everyone, together we can determine if this type of counselling is a good fit for you. To learn more about EMDR, click here.
Inner Child Therapy
My graduate-level education involved extensive training in Inner Child Therapy (ICT). ICT is a "deep work" modality that examines what your childhood needs were (e.g., unconditional love, safety etc.) - and how to meet those needs in adulthood to foster well-being. For example, if your caregiver(s) was unable to provide structure in your life as a child, ICT can help identify this unmet need, and help you find ways to meet it for yourself as an adult. I have seen this approach do wonderful things.
ICT can be helpful with:
Self-esteem
Relationship Issues (e.g., "codependency")
Depression
Anxiety
Feeling "stuck”
Self-Compassion
Self-compassion usually follows ICT and is central to “re-parenting” the inner child. Simply put, self-compassion means being kind to yourself. However, it’s important to distinguish self-compassion from self-esteem. Self-esteem refers to the degree in which we evaluate ourselves in a positive light. Self-compassion, on the other hand, says, “I am human and therefore worthy of love, and that includes my flaws.”
To practice self-compassion, begin by identifying your feelings. Name them as best you can. Then, offer those feelings some kind words - words that validate your experience. Notice how you feel when you give yourself some much-needed love. This technique is found in Dr. Kristen Neff’s book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. Her work has inspired a large portion of my counselling practice.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing is about constructing conversations so that individuals can identify their own motivation for change. It is a collaborative style, meaning that the therapist and client "walk together" to discover the client's core values. When our motivation for change comes from within, change follows.
MI can be helpful with
Addictions
Health problems
Ambivalence about any possible change