Welcome
I believe that healing happens in relationships that feel safe, respectful, and attuned. Whether through conversation, play, or creative expression, therapy is a space to slow down, make sense of emotions, and reconnect with parts of ourselves that may have learned to protect, hide, or carry too much.
For some, this work looks like talking. For others, it looks like play, movement, or imagination. There is more than one way to begin.
A Flexible, Client-Centred Approach
I am a Registered Social Worker providing counselling and play therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. My work is trauma-informed and attachment-based, supporting emotional growth, healing, and understanding across the lifespan.
Not all therapy is done through play. While play therapy is one of my areas of specialization, many clients prefer a more traditional talk-based approach, and that is absolutely welcome. Sessions are adapted to each person’s needs, comfort level, and goals.
Together, we decide how therapy will look and feel.
How I Work
My approach is grounded in the belief that emotions carry meaning and that every behaviour has a reason. Therapy is collaborative and paced with care, respecting each person’s readiness and lived experience.
I draw from a range of evidence-based approaches, including:
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Progressive Counting
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – consultant-in-training
Play Therapy (Certified Play Therapist Supervisor – CPT-S)
Techniques are tools, not requirements. The relationship always comes first.
When working with children, play becomes a natural language. Through play, children can explore emotions, relationships, and experiences that may be difficult to express with words alone.
This is where Octavius quietly enters the work.
Octavius the Otter represents curiosity, gentleness, and emotional understanding. He reminds us that feelings are not problems to solve, but experiences to explore. Through stories, symbols, and imaginative play, children can safely make sense of their inner world, one step at a time.
Octavius does not replace therapy. He supports it—offering a familiar, comforting presence that helps children feel less alone as they learn to name and navigate big feelings.
