905.967.3695 info@lifetherapy.ca

At Life Therapy I help individuals who are dealing with anxiety and depression, grief and bereavement, difficult life events and those who are coping with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Life Therapy is also about growing, exploring and building your capacity to engage in life with more fullness, freedom and alignment.

Clients tell me that I use my empathy, warmth and humour to create a safe helping environment.

Approach & Credentials

I work with individuals for a range of concerns including stress, life transitions, depression and anxiety, as well as palliative concerns, grief and bereavement and faith issues. I match my therapeutic strategies to client needs and I am adept in individual therapy. I have honed my counselling skills in municipal, educational and health care settings for the past 20 years.

I use an integrative approach based on the following training:

  • Emotion Focused Therapy
  • Solution Focused Therapy
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Training, Level 1 and 2
  • Trauma Counselling and Complex Trauma and Shame: Somatic Interventions
  • Mindfulness
  • Mindfulness Based Self Compassion
  • Working with Anxiety
  • How to work with Patterns that Sustain Depression
  • Working with Clients who Struggle with an Inner Critic
  • Psychosocial Care of the Dying and Bereaved
  • CALM Therapy, Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully
  • Cancer and Sexuality

I have an empathic, supportive listening approach and can offer a fresh perspective to your feelings, thinking and behaviour. I help you to understand what you are experiencing and how to shift towards change. I use research based approaches and have a compassionate, non-judgmental and respectful style that clients tell me puts them at ease and allows them to process their experiences.

I am a Master’s prepared Social Worker and I conduct myself in a professional, competent and ethical way. I am registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service workers. You can confirm my registration on www.ocswssw.org or seek additional information.

“The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.”

Carl Rogers

Clients

Some clients may have issues that are better served by clinicians with specialized training or who work in clinics and/or health care teams. Due to this, I do NOT work with the following:

  • children, teens (aged 18 and younger)
  • People who have been in Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • people who have been abusive/violent
  • people diagnosed with personality disorders
  • people struggling with:
    • drug and/or alcohol overuse, abuse, addiction
    • anorexia and bulimia
    • active cutting/self-harm

Fees

My current fee includes one hour in person (55 minutes face to face, 5 minutes for file review and documentation). Registered Social Workers do not charge HST. Please contact me regarding fees.

Payment is due in full at the end of the appointment using interact, e-transfer or credit card. I will email a receipt within 24 hours of the appointment.

Missed, Canceled and Rescheduled Appointments

With 48 hours notice, I do not charge a fee. With less notice and when circumstances are within your control, you are responsible for the fee for your booked time slot.

Insurance and Receipts

Many extended health care plans do reimburse employees and their family members for the services of a Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist. Please check your plan or call your Human Resources department for the details. You may ask HR how many sessions per year are covered, the coverage amount per session and if you need prior approval before attending a session.

Confidentiality

As a Registered Social Worker, my involvement with you is a completely confidential matter and will not be revealed to anyone (including family members, physicians, etc.) without your permission.  The content of our sessions is totally confidential, with the following exceptions:

  • If your file is subpoenaed
  • imminent plans to harm yourself or others
  • abuse/neglect of children or elderly/dependent adults
  • misconduct of a health professional (e.g., inappropriate touch by a health professional)

These exceptions require me to take steps as necessary for the protection of people. If you have any questions about confidentiality, please be sure to address them with me.

“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.”

Brene Brown

When I was a young girl, I attended a community weekly film series by a Psychologist who helped individuals and families through life’s challenges, such as relationships, communication, love, marriage and mental health. Through that experience a dream was planted to help people through life with counselling.

In high school I was invited to be part of a group, facilitated by a Psychologist that helped us to become better listeners for our peers. I enjoyed this and it became further motivation to pursue a helping/counselling profession, which launched me towards degrees in Sociology (Windsor) and Social Work (McMaster).

I enjoy people and I am a life long learner and after several years of working in various helping roles, the dream to complete Graduate work re-emerged. I spent a year volunteering on the chemo suite of my local hospital and this confirmed my intention to attend graduate school. I then completed my Masters of Social Work at the University of Waterloo.

Since that time, I have worked as a professional in a formal Counselling setting in a Cancer Program helping individuals and families deal with the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis, including anxiety, depression, grief and bereavement.

I believe that supporting people through the emotional impact of life events and health concerns is a privilege. Building on the strengths within each individual to create deeper resiliency and healing is something I am passionate about and informs my approach with clients. I am compassionate and understand the value of self care and that learning what nourishes and restores us is a life long journey that sometimes requires support.

Outside of work, I spend time with family and friends. I enjoy running, Zumba, swimming and kayaking and often have five or more books on the go. I love a good cup of coffee and a morning sunrise and an evening sunset.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No, it is not needed. You can contact me directly. However, your employee health benefits may require a medical referral. I am a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist and many plans reimburse for the cost of seeking therapy. Check your plan.
Are their certain types of clients that you do NOT see?
Some clients may have issues that are better served by clinicians with specialized training or who work in clinics and/or health care teams. Due to this, I do NOT work with the following:

  • children, teens (aged 18 and younger)
  • people on WSIB or MVA clients
  • people who have been abusive/violent
  • people diagnosed with personality disorders
  • people struggling with:
    • drug and/or alcohol overuse, abuse, addiction
    • anorexia and bulimia
    • active cutting/self-harm
Will I feel worse if I talk about my problems and feelings?
It is normal to feel somewhat distressed when talking about life stress and problems. It can feel uncomfortable and vulnerable and I am trained to put you at ease and listen to your frustrations, anger etc. I use grounding techniques and check in with you to ensure that you can feel calm and safe. For some people it’s a good idea to have some quiet time before returning to regular activities. This can be a short drive, a cup of tea, some deep breathing or even a nap. Most clients express that they feel better to have unloaded some of their difficulties in the process of getting to a more a peaceful or contented state.
What can I expect in the first session?
We will meet for 55 minutes at my office. I will briefly review my scope of practice and limits of confidentiality. We will talk about what brought you into the session and we will spend time getting to know you, your circumstances and what you might hope to accomplish. I will listen to you and reflect back to you what I am hearing. I will seek your clarification to help you further understand yourself and your situation. You need to determine if I am a good fit for your life and situation. You will pay me, I will provide you with a receipt and if we agree, we will book a next visit.

Call for a no cost initial consultation (10 minutes) to make sure this is a good fit before our first session.