Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A: Psychotherapy (often referred to as mental health counselling) is a collaborative process between you and a trained licensed mental health professional. It offers a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space to explore your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and lived experiences, through a tailored evidence-based framework and collaborative goals. Therapy can help you better understand yourself, develop healthier coping strategies, and move through anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, or feeling stuck. 

Therapy is not about being told what to do, judged, or “fixed,” nor is it a quick solution. Unlike a coach/teacher, friend, or online tool, psychotherapy offers a consistent, attuned relationship with a trained unbiased clinician who can recognize patterns, gently challenge blind spots, hold risk responsibly, and help you process complex emotions in real time. Healing often requires more than information — it requires relational safety, attunement, depth, and consistent professional guidance. As an experiential, somatic-based therapist, I not only work at the level of insight and analysis — I also pay attention to your nervous system, bodily cues, and felt experience, supporting change that is both emotional and embodied.

The therapeutic relationship is a unique one, built on the foundations of trust, rapport, empathy, and a real human connection. 

A: Therapy sessions are typically 60 min. long (50 min. session + 10 min. admin time) and are booked consistently, usually weekly or biweekly, either virtually or in-person (whichever format works best for you). Depending on your presenting issues, therapy will likely span between 6 to 20 sessions or more.

In general:

• Short-term work (6–12 sessions) may focus on specific challenges or skill-building

• Longer-term therapy may explore patterns, relationships, or more complex experiences

A: While there are many types of supports available, I am a psychotherapist who specializes in and offers psychotherapy services only. Please see descriptions below for services that are not the same.

Psychiatry:

• Diagnoses conditions and can prescribe medication

• Usually referred to by a GP for complex mental health disorders 

Psychological Assessment/Services:

• Uses standardized tests to confirm a formal diagnosis

• Usually only needed if you're seeking formal accomodations at work/school

Coaching / Teaching:

• Goal-oriented support focused on skills, performance, and learning 

• Future-focused; does not treat mental health disorders

Crisis Services:

• Immediate, short-term support during acute mental health or safety emergencies

• Focuses on stabilization and connection to ongoing care

A: While I offer individual, couples, and family therapy, I do not typically provide multiple therapy formats simultaneously for the same client system.

This is because each therapeutic modality serves a different purpose and requires a clear clinical frame to remain effective and ethically sound. Working with an individual client, a couple, and/or a family system at the same time can create challenges around boundaries, confidentiality, and therapeutic alignment.

In some cases, I may recommend shifting between formats (for example, beginning with individual work and later transitioning to couple or family sessions) depending on clinical needs and goals. Recommendations are always made collaboratively and based on what will best support the client or family system.

If you are unsure which format is most appropriate, we can discuss this in an initial consultation and determine the best starting point together.

A: Therapy looks different for everyone, and progress isn’t always what people expect.

Some clients notice small shifts early on—like increased awareness, putting feelings into words, or feeling slightly less overwhelmed. Over time, progress may look like responding differently in familiar situations, setting boundaries, or feeling more connected to your emotions and needs.

It’s also important to know that progress is not always linear. Some sessions may feel heavier or more emotional, especially when exploring deeper experiences. This can be a meaningful part of the process, not a sign that therapy isn’t working.

Rather than “feeling better all the time,” progress often means relating to yourself differently—with more understanding, flexibility, and self-compassion.

We’ll check in regularly to make sure therapy feels helpful and aligned with your goals.

A: It’s very natural to want clear, visible signs of progress. In therapy with young children—especially play-based and grief-focused work—change is often gradual, relational, and not always immediately measurable.

Rather than session-by-session outcomes, progress is seen over time in patterns such as increased comfort in sessions, shifts in play themes, improved emotional regulation, greater expression of feelings, and subtle changes in trust and resilience. These shifts may be non-linear, and periods that seem “unchanged” can still reflect meaningful internal processing.

My approach is play-based and developmentally informed, with the therapeutic relationship and emotional safety at the core. To support this, I don’t provide detailed session summaries, as a consistent, private space helps children express themselves more freely.

Instead, I offer parent check-ins every 3–4 sessions to discuss overall themes, progress, and ways to support your child at home.

A: I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots in exceptional circumstances, based on financial need and availability.

If cost is a barrier, you’re welcome to reach out and we can discuss your situation. If I’m not able to offer a reduced rate, I’m happy to help connect you with other lower-cost or community-based options that may be a better fit.