The Nature of My Therapeutic Approach

 

What distinguishes your approach to therapy?

My practice combines modern neuroscience with experiential techniques to foster deep, lasting change. I use Coherence Therapy and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy to address the root causes of your concerns, not just surface symptoms. This approach engages both conscious awareness and unconscious emotional patterns, leveraging the brain's neuroplasticity to create meaningful transformation.

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What sets my practice apart is its direct, challenging nature. I'm not afraid to push you out of your comfort zone when necessary, always with the goal of facilitating real, tangible change. Our work together is firmly outcome-oriented; we'll set clear objectives and work purposefully towards them.

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By focusing on felt experiences rather than intellectual understanding alone, and by maintaining a clear focus on your desired outcomes, we pave the way for profound personal growth.

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How does neuroscience inform your therapeutic practice?

The integration of neuroscience into our work isn't a mere overlay of scientific jargon onto traditional therapy. Instead, it's a reimagining of how we approach mental health and personal growth. My background in neuroscience and cognitive science allows us to work in harmony with your brain's innate mechanisms for change and healing.

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We leverage insights from neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to form new neural connections throughout life - to create interventions that are not just theoretically sound, but neurobiologically effective. This might involve targeted exercises designed to help you observe and modify your own patterns of thought and emotion at a felt level.

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Moreover, understanding the neuroscience behind your experiences can be profoundly empowering. It allows us to reframe personal struggles not as character flaws, but as natural outcomes of your brain's attempt to adapt and protect you. This shift in perspective often opens up new avenues for self-compassion and change.

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What is Coherence Therapy, and how does it facilitate change?

 

Coherence Therapy represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of how transformative change occurs in the human psyche. At its core, this approach recognizes that our symptoms and struggles, no matter how irrational they may seem on the surface, are in fact coherent expressions of our deeper beliefs.

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These emotional learnings - often formed in childhood or through significant life experiences - create a kind of invisible architecture that shapes our perceptions, reactions, and behaviors. Coherence Therapy provides a roadmap for bringing these unconscious, implicit beliefs into conscious awareness. But awareness alone is not enough.

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The true power of this approach lies in its alignment with the brain's natural process for updating emotional learnings. Through carefully structured experiences in our sessions, we create the conditions for what neuroscience terms "memory reconsolidation." This process allows the brain to actually rewrite old, problematic neural pathways, leading to change that is not just intellectual, but felt at a deep, experiential level.

 

This method is particularly potent because it doesn't rely on willpower or cognitive override to create change. Instead, it works with the brain's own mechanisms for updating its core, guiding beliefs about self and world. The result is often a profound shift that feels less like forcing oneself to change, and more like a natural falling away of old patterns that no longer serve you.

 

Our Therapeutic Journey

 

What types of therapy do you offer, and how do they differ?

 

My practice encompasses three primary modalities, each designed to address different aspects of human experience and growth:

1. Individual Psychotherapy: This is a deep dive into your inner world, a space for personal exploration, healing, and transformation. Here, we work to understand and reshape the patterns that may be holding you back, heal from past wounds, and cultivate a more authentic, fulfilling way of being in the world.

2. Relationship Therapy: Recognizing that we are inherently relational beings, this modality focuses on the complex dynamics that arise between individuals. Whether you're part of a couple, a non-traditional relationship structure, or seeking to improve family relationships, we work to foster deeper understanding, enhanced communication, and more satisfying connections.

3. Individual Coaching: While therapy often focuses on healing and self-understanding, coaching is geared towards actualization and achievement. This modality is for those looking to bridge the gap between their current reality and their highest potential, combining psychological insights with practical strategies for personal and professional growth.

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Each of these approaches, while distinct, is informed by the same core principles of neuroscience-based, experiential change. The modality we choose depends on your specific needs, goals, and the nature of the challenges you're facing.

 

Do you specialize in treating specific issues?

 

In my therapeutic practice, I specialize in guiding clients through a range of challenges, using an integrative approach that combines neuroscience-informed techniques with deep empathy. Here are the key areas where I can support your journey:

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1. Anxiety and Depression: Understanding and regulating your nervous system's response to stress and mood fluctuations, using evidence-based techniques to foster resilience and emotional balance.

2. Trauma Recovery: Resolving the impacts of depression, anxiety, and trauma through body-aware approaches and memory reconsolidation, helping you reclaim a sense of safety and empowerment.

3. Emotional and Somatic Awareness: Developing a deeper connection between mind and body, enhancing your ability to understand and navigate your inner experiences for greater overall well-being.

4. Grief and Shame Processing: Gently working through complex grief, guilt, and shame, creating space for healing and self-compassion in a non-judgmental environment.

5. Personal Growth and Vitality: Facilitating your journey of self-discovery and personal development, helping you rediscover joy and a renewed sense of purpose in life.

6. Relationship Enhancement: Deepening connections in all types of relationships, fostering better communication, understanding, and intimacy for more fulfilling interpersonal experiences.

 

Each of these areas is approached with a blend of scientific understanding and heartfelt compassion, tailored to your unique needs and goals. Through our work together, you'll not only address current challenges but also develop lasting skills for ongoing growth and resilience.

 

What can I expect in our initial session?

 

Our first session is a mutual exploration - a chance for us to begin mapping the terrain of your inner world and outer circumstances. But it's more than just an information-gathering exercise. It's our first step in co-creating a space of trust, understanding, and potential transformation.

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I'll invite you to share what brings you to therapy, your history, and your hopes for our work together. But beyond the facts and events, I'm interested in understanding your lived experience - how you make sense of your world, what patterns you've noticed, what feels stuck or painful.

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This session is also an opportunity for you to get a felt sense of how I work. You'll experience my approach firsthand, and we'll begin to explore how the tools and perspectives I offer might apply to your specific situation.

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By the end of our time together, we should have a clearer picture of the path ahead. We'll discuss my initial thoughts on how we might approach your concerns, and you'll have the chance to ask any questions about the process. Remember, this is a collaborative journey - your input and feedback are crucial in shaping our work together.

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How do I initiate this process?

 

Embarking on a therapeutic journey is a significant step, one that deserves careful consideration. To help you make an informed decision, I offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation. This brief conversation allows us to discuss your needs, answer any initial questions you might have, and determine if we're well-suited to work together.

 

Practical Considerations

 

What are your fees for different services?

 

My current fee structure is as follows:

• Individual Psychotherapy/Coaching: $160 per 50-minute session

• Relationship Therapy: $185 per 50-minute session or $260 per 80-minute session

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These fees reflect the depth and intensity of our work together, as well as the extensive training and experience I bring to each session. However, I believe that financial constraints shouldn't be a barrier to accessing quality mental health care.

 

Do you offer reduced fees or sliding scale options?

 

In recognition of the diverse financial situations of those seeking therapy, I reserve a limited number of slots for reduced fee or sliding scale arrangements. These are offered based on need and availability. If financial concerns are a barrier to you seeking therapy, I encourage you to bring this up during our initial consultation. We can discuss options and, if I'm unable to accommodate your needs, I'll do my best to provide referrals to other quality, affordable resources in our community.

 

What is your approach to insurance and reimbursement?

 

As a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), my services are widely covered by extended health benefit plans:

• Nearly all insurers in British Columbia provide reimbursement for services by RCCs.

• Many insurance providers across Canada offer coverage for CCCs.

 

Here's what you need to know:

1. Payment and Receipts: You'll pay for sessions directly, and I'll provide detailed receipts for insurance claims.

2. Coverage Verification: While coverage is common, it's essential to check with your insurer about:

   • Specific coverage for RCC or CCC services

   • Reimbursement limits and requirements

   • Their claim submission process

 

I'm happy to provide any necessary documentation for your claims, but the responsibility for understanding and navigating your insurance coverage ultimately rests with you. If you have any questions about fees or reimbursement, please don't hesitate to ask during our initial consultation or anytime throughout our work together.

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The Therapeutic Process

 

How long does therapy typically take to yield noticeable results?

 

The duration of therapy and the timeline for seeing results can vary significantly based on a multitude of factors: the nature and complexity of the issues you're addressing, your personal goals, your commitment to the process, and even the neural pathways we're working to reshape.

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Some clients report feeling a sense of relief or gaining new insights after just a few sessions. This initial progress is valuable but often represents just the beginning of deeper change. For others, especially those dealing with long-standing patterns or complex trauma, the process may unfold more gradually.

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It's crucial to understand that therapy isn't a linear process. Progress often occurs in a spiral pattern - you may revisit similar themes at deeper levels as you progress. What might feel like regression can often be a precursor to a significant breakthrough.

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Throughout our work together, we'll regularly assess your progress and adjust our approach as needed. This ongoing dialogue ensures that we're continually aligning our work with your evolving needs and goals.

 

How can I gauge if therapy is effective for me?

 

Recognizing the effectiveness of therapy often involves tuning into subtle shifts in your inner experience and outer behaviors. Some signs that our work is yielding fruit might include:

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• Enhanced self-awareness: You start noticing patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that were previously invisible to you.

• Improved emotional regulation: You find yourself better able to navigate difficult emotions without being overwhelmed by them.

• Shifts in perspective: You begin to see yourself, others, and life situations from new, more empowering angles.

• Behavioral changes: You notice yourself responding differently in situations that used to trigger old, problematic patterns.

• Improved relationships: As you change, you may notice shifts in your interactions with others, often leading to more satisfying connections.

• A sense of congruence: You feel more aligned with your authentic self, your actions more consistently reflecting your values and desires.

• Symptom reduction: While not the sole focus, you may experience a lessening of the symptoms that initially brought you to therapy.

 

It's important to note that progress in therapy isn't always comfortable. Growth often involves confronting difficult truths or feelings. Temporary increases in discomfort can sometimes be a sign that we're doing important work.

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We'll regularly check in on your experience of our work together. Your feedback is invaluable in ensuring that we're on the right track and making adjustments as needed.

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Confidentiality and Ethics

 

How do you ensure the confidentiality of our sessions?

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Confidentiality is not just a legal requirement in our field; it's a fundamental ethical principle that forms the bedrock of effective therapy. The trust you place in me by sharing your innermost thoughts and experiences is something I honor with the utmost seriousness.

In practical terms, this means:

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• All session notes and records are kept secure and encrypted.

• For online sessions, I use an encrypted video platform.

• I do not discuss the content of our sessions with anyone, except in cases of mandated reporting (which we'll discuss in a moment) or in the context of my own professional supervision (where your identity remains protected).

• Any email communication is conducted through secure channels.

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Are there any circumstances under which confidentiality might be breached?

 

While confidentiality is paramount, there are a few legally mandated exceptions:

1. Imminent risk of harm: If I have reason to believe that you are at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else, I am legally required to take steps to ensure safety. This might involve contacting emergency services or warning a potential victim.

2. Abuse of vulnerable individuals: If you disclose ongoing abuse of a child, elderly person, or dependent adult, I am mandated to report this to the appropriate authorities.

3. Court order: In rare cases, a court might order me to release information. Even in these situations, I would only release what is legally required and would inform you of the situation unless prohibited by court order.

It's important to note that these situations are rare. In my experience, when such issues arise, we're usually able to address them collaboratively within the therapeutic relationship. I always aim to discuss any potential limits to confidentiality with you before taking any action.

 

My Professional Background

What are your qualifications and areas of expertise?

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Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Arts and Science in Cognitive Science from McGill University

• Master of Health Science from McGill University

• Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University

 

This interdisciplinary foundation provides me with a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationships between mind, brain, and behavior, informing my integrative approach to therapy.

Professional Certifications and Training: I've pursued extensive post-graduate training to refine my skills and expand my therapeutic toolkit. I'm certified in several evidence-based modalities, including:

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• Coherence Therapy

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Gottman Method Couples Therapy

• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)

 

Additionally, I've completed training in:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

• Existential Therapy

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

• Nervous System Mastery

• Interpersonal Relational Training

 

This diverse range of approaches allows me to tailor our work to your specific needs, drawing from a wide array of therapeutic techniques and perspectives.

 

My practice is further enriched by my background in cognitive and health sciences, enabling me to integrate cutting-edge insights from neuroscience and health research into our therapeutic work. This unique combination of scientific understanding and diverse therapeutic approaches allows me to offer an integrative and personalized therapeutic experience.

 

I am committed to ongoing professional development and regularly engage in continued education to stay current with the latest advancements in the field of psychotherapy and mental health.

 

Practical Information

 

Where is your practice located?

 

I offer in-person sessions at two locations in Victoria, BC:

1. 864 Queens Avenue

2. 1608 Camosun Street

Each of these spaces has been carefully chosen and arranged to provide a comfortable, confidential environment conducive to our therapeutic work.

 

Are your office spaces accessible for people with disabilities?

The Camosun Street location is on the ground level, which may be particularly suitable for clients with mobility considerations.

 

I believe that therapy should be accessible to all who seek it. If you have any specific accessibility needs or concerns, please don't hesitate to discuss them with me. I'm committed to doing everything I can to ensure that our therapeutic space is comfortable and accessible for you.

 

Remember, these FAQs are just the beginning of our dialogue. Therapy is a deeply personal journey, and you may have questions or concerns that aren't addressed here. I encourage you to bring these up during our initial consultation or at any point in our work together. My role is not just to provide answers, but to engage with you in a process of exploration and growth. Your questions and reflections are an integral part of this journey.