How I Practice

Narrative therapy is a therapy that addresses problems by first helping people view their problems as separate from their person. It recognizes that the stories we tell ourselves about our lives shape our identity, and impact how we view ourselves and our place in the world. It then seeks to help people develop new stories based on their strengths and skills, and use this as a basis for problem-solving.

DBT is a therapy that is rooted in the idea that two seemingly opposing things can be true at once, and that by accepting this, we can find unique solutions to our problems. Eg. I can study real hard for a test and still do poorly. By acknowledging and accepting both, rather than giving up or deciding that I’m not smart enough, I can find the resilience to keep trying by reviewing what I don’t know and possibly enlisting some help. DBT has four primary core skills that it aims to develop. These are mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

CBT is a therapy that aims to manage problems by addressing their underlying thoughts and behavioural patterns. It does this by challenging unhelpful ways of thinking and helping people develop healthier coping mechanisms for managing distressing situations.

While some may think that faith or spirituality has no place in psychotherapy, I disagree. Our beliefs shape how we view ourselves and the world around us, and in order to address challenges holistically, I welcome and fully encourage clients to discuss their beliefs and worldview in therapy.

Trauma-informed practice means that I approach my work with clients with an understanding that they have likely experienced some sort of trauma at some point in their lives, and engage with them in ways that help put power back into their hands and minimize the possibility of retraumatization or harm.

ARAO practice means that I acknowledge the existence of racism and oppression at various levels (individual, institutional, systemic) and actively work to challenge these injustices, advocate for equity, and reduce barriers to services for equity-seeking groups.

I believe that clients are the experts in their own lives. Therefore, nothing happens in therapy without the consent and participation of the client. I believe the best outcomes for therapy must come from the collaborative effort of both client and therapist working together to meet the goals outlined by the client, with methods that the client is willing to engage with.

This means that I do all of the above, as needed. Things like ARAO, being trauma-informed, working collaboratively, and integrating spirituality are constants. However, my specific therapeutic approach/approaches change depending on the needs of any particular client.

• Emotion Focused Therapy or EFT

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or ACT

• Motivational Interviewing