Services
I offer confidential online counselling (or phone) to residents in British Columbia, and provide day, evening, or weekend appointments to ensure you have flexible and accessible support no matter where you are
Approaches I Use
An Integrative Approach
I use an integrative approach in counselling, meaning that I combine multiple therapeutic strategies to best suit your needs. This approach allows me to be flexible and adaptive, using the most appropriate techniques based on your unique challenges, goals, and preferences. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, relationship issues, addiction, or major life transitions, we’ll work together to create a therapeutic plan that draws from a range of evidence-based methods.
Counselling can help you gain valuable insight, develop coping skills, feel truly supported and validated, and move forward in a way that aligns with your personal needs and goals.
A Personalized, Flexible Approach
Therapy is not one-size-fits-all.
My approach is tailored to your unique needs, whether you're looking for short-term counselling to navigate a specific challenge or a deeper therapeutic process to explore patterns, emotions, and past experiences. Some people benefit from practical, solution-focused strategies, while others may need a more reflective and exploratory process. Together, we’ll create a therapeutic plan that aligns with your goals, comfort level, and what feels most helpful for you.
Mind-Body Approach
The mind-body approach recognizes the deep connection between our physical bodies and emotional experiences. This approach integrates a range of techniques—such as mindfulness, breathwork, and somatic therapy—to help individuals develop awareness of how their emotions manifest physically. By tuning into the body's sensations and reactions, clients can learn to release tension, reduce stress, and promote emotional regulation. This approach fosters healing by addressing both the mind and body, providing a holistic way to work through trauma, anxiety, or other challenges. It empowers clients to restore balance and build resilience by acknowledging that true well-being involves the integration of mind, body, and spirit.
Supportive Approach
A supportive counselling approach is one that focuses on providing clients with emotional support, validation, and encouragement in a non-judgmental and empathetic space. This approach emphasizes listening deeply and offering practical guidance for managing emotional difficulties, stress, or life challenges. It helps clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to explore their emotions, strengths, and coping strategies in a safe and supportive environment.
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In a supportive counselling approach, the therapist’s role is to assist clients in developing their emotional resilience and building a foundation of self-worth. This approach can be especially effective in situations where clients need to regain stability after life transitions, emotional upheavals, or personal losses. It’s not about giving advice, but rather helping clients reconnect with their inner strengths and resources, while supporting them in processing emotions in a healthy and constructive way.
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A supportive counselling approach is gentle, encouraging, and focused on validating your experiences as you work toward healing and change. It’s ideal for those who may be experiencing stress, burnout, or need extra emotional support without needing to dive into more intensive therapy techniques right away.
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Client-Centered Approach
The Client-Centered Approach, developed by Carl Rogers, is based on the belief that you are the expert in your own life. In therapy, I aim to create a warm, accepting, and non-judgmental environment where you can feel comfortable expressing yourself fully. Through active listening and empathy, I work to understand your experiences and emotions from your perspective. This approach focuses on building trust and fostering a therapeutic relationship that empowers you to explore, heal, and grow in a way that feels authentic to you. With this approach, the pace and direction of therapy are always guided by your needs and goals, helping you move toward greater self-awareness and personal transformation.
Holistic Approach
A holistic approach to counselling recognizes that we are complex beings made up of body, mind, and spirit, and that healing and growth happen when we address all these interconnected aspects of who we are. In therapy, this means I consider not just your thoughts and emotions, but also the physiological and environmental factors that shape your experiences. By integrating a range of therapeutic techniques—such as mindfulness, neuroscience, trauma-informed care, and somatic practices—we can create a personalized approach that fits your unique needs.
Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, a holistic approach aims to create lasting change by helping you understand and work with the underlying causes of distress, while supporting your overall well-being. This approach honors your strengths and resources, empowering you to find balance, resilience, and peace as you work toward healing.
Solution-Focused Approach
The solution-focused approach centers on building solutions rather than dwelling on problems. It focuses on your strengths, resources, and past successes to identify and implement practical strategies for overcoming challenges. We’ll look toward the future, drawing on what’s already working in your life to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Strength-Based Approach
A strength-based approach helps you recognize and build upon your existing strengths and skills. By focusing on your resilience, capabilities, and past achievements, we’ll empower you to navigate challenges with greater confidence. This approach encourages self-compassion, growth, and the belief that you have the inner resources needed to thrive.
Collaborative Approach
Therapy is a partnership between you and me. In a collaborative approach, we’ll work together to understand your goals, explore different options, and co-create a plan that fits your unique needs. Your insights, knowledge, and values are essential to the process, and I’ll support you in taking an active role in your healing and growth.
Culturally Sensitive Approach
Everyone’s experiences are shaped by their cultural background, identity, and lived experiences.
Culturally sensitive counselling acknowledges and respects these influences, ensuring that therapy is tailored to your unique values, beliefs, and worldview. This approach fosters an inclusive and affirming space where diverse perspectives are honored, and individuals are seen and understood. By integrating cultural awareness into the therapeutic process, we work together to explore challenges in a way that aligns with your identity, community, and personal experiences.
Modalities I Use
Virtual Counselling Availability
(or Phone)
I offer virtual counselling to residents of British Columbia, Canada. Whether you’re in the heart of Vancouver, on the island, or in a more rural area, you can access therapy from the comfort and privacy of your home—or wherever you feel most at ease.
Virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions, allowing us to connect face-to-face through secure video conferencing or over the phone, while ensuring you have the flexibility to attend sessions from a location that works best for you. Whether you're at home, at work, or travelling, online therapy provides you with the opportunity to prioritize your mental health with minimal disruption to your daily life.
Technology also means no need for long drives, finding parking, or waiting in office lobbies—helping you feel more relaxed, present, and ready to focus on yourself.
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Note: All virtual sessions are conducted via a HIPAA-compliant, secure platform to ensure your privacy and confidentiality.
Rates
The BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) recommends a fee range of $150–$250 per 50-minute session, depending on the counsellor’s years of experience and specialization. As an experienced Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), my rate falls within this recommended range. Most insurance plans cover counselling with Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC).
Sea Horizons Counselling Session Rates
50-minute session- $170
75-minute extended session- $255
90-minute extended session- $306
BC Registered Clinical Counselling is exempt from GST.
For more information on how therapy works, what to expect during sessions, or answers to any other questions, visit the FAQ page here.
Areas of Practice
While I specialize in women’s mental health—especially around anxiety, addiction, and eating and body image concerns—I also offer support through many of life’s changes and challenges.
Women's mental and emotional health has historically been under-researched across psychology, neuroscience, and physical health, leading to a limited understanding of how mental health conditions uniquely affect women. Recent advancements in neuroscience have provided important insights into the unique challenges women face, including hormonal fluctuations, societal pressures, and the expectations placed on women in various aspects of life. Research shows that women are more likely to experience conditions like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, and that these often manifest differently or more intensely compared to men. There has also been a growing body of research focusing on the impacts of perimenopause and menopause on mental and emotional well-being, highlighting the importance of addressing these specific challenges.
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Given how broad my field is and the rapid changes it undergoes, staying up to date is crucial to providing the best care possible. For this reason, I continue to adapt my practice, ensuring I integrate the latest scientific insights into my work. As a woman, I understand firsthand the importance of resilience and emotional connection in navigating life’s challenges. By drawing on the latest evidence and research, I aim to support you in addressing these challenges with compassion, helping you cultivate resilience and reconnect with your authentic self.
Anxiety (GAD / Worry, Panic, OCD, Phobias, etc.)
Anxiety can take many forms—Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, OCD, perfectionism, social anxiety, and specific phobias. No matter the type, anxiety often leads to a constant feeling of tension, worry, and fear that can interfere with everyday life, relationships, and personal well-being. Neuroscientific research reveals that anxiety is frequently rooted in an overactive stress response system, where the brain’s fight-or-flight mechanisms are triggered inappropriately, even in non-threatening situations. This can create a cycle of fear and avoidance that feels overwhelming and difficult to break free from.
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In therapy, we’ll work together to understand how your brain and body react to stress and fear and identify the underlying triggers that contribute to your anxiety. By bringing awareness to how your thoughts, physical sensations, and behaviors interact, we can create a personalized approach to managing anxiety. We’ll utilize evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to challenge and reframe unhelpful thought patterns, Exposure Therapy to gradually confront and reduce avoidance behaviors, and mindfulness-based strategies to build emotional resilience and present-moment awareness.
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Ultimately, my goal is to empower you to regain control over your anxiety, allowing you to experience life with calm and confidence. Whether you're dealing with constant worry, panic attacks, or intrusive thoughts, together we’ll work to help you reclaim your life and find a sense of peace in the midst of uncertainty.
Eating Disorders / Disordered Eating / Body Image
Body image issues and disordered eating often stem from complex interactions between psychological, emotional, and neurobiological factors. Neuroscientific research has shown that negative body image can be reinforced through brain pathways related to self-esteem, emotional regulation, and reward systems. Together, we’ll explore how these patterns develop and work to shift them in a healthy, sustainable way. Therapy will support you in developing a healthier relationship with food, your body, and yourself, fostering emotional resilience and self-compassion.
Addiction (Substances and Behavioural)
Addiction, whether to substances or behaviors like eating, shopping, or social media, can be deeply challenging. Neuroscientific findings show that addiction often stems from changes in the brain's reward system, making it harder to resist urges. This neurobiological shift can make overcoming addiction seem nearly impossible. In our work together, we’ll explore how these brain changes affect behavior, while also creating space to process the emotions and experiences that contribute to addiction. By addressing both the neurological and emotional aspects, we can rewire patterns and build healthier coping strategies for lasting change.
Life Transitions
Women often experience significant life transitions that can reshape their identity, relationships, and sense of self. Whether it’s navigating career shifts, changes in family dynamics, or redefining personal goals, these transitions can bring about uncertainty, stress, and emotional challenges. Neuroscientific research shows that such changes activate the brain’s adaptive processes, yet they can also trigger emotional responses that impact our well-being. In therapy, we’ll explore how to build resilience, process any feelings of loss or confusion, and develop strategies to embrace these changes with confidence. Together, we’ll focus on finding balance, reconnecting with your sense of self, and cultivating a path forward that aligns with your evolving journey.
Relationship Challenges
Relationships are central to our lives but navigating them can be difficult—especially when communication breaks down, boundaries are blurred, or emotional needs go unmet. Attachment theory is supported by neuroscientific findings that highlight how early relationships impact brain development and emotional responses in adulthood. In therapy, we’ll explore how attachment dynamics play a role in your relationships, strengthen communication, set healthy boundaries, and foster deeper emotional connections—both with yourself and with others.
Perimenopause and Menopause
Life transitions such as perimenopause and menopause bring a unique set of emotional and physical challenges. Neuroscientific research helps us understand how hormonal shifts during these stages influence brain function, emotional regulation, and overall mental well-being. Whether navigating mood swings, sleep disturbances, or cognitive changes, therapy will provide a space to process these shifts, explore their impact on your mental health, and develop strategies for emotional resilience and self-compassion during this natural but challenging life stage.
Stress / Burnout
Stress and burnout are common struggles in today’s fast-paced world, and understanding the neurobiological response to chronic stress is essential to healing. When stress becomes overwhelming, the brain’s stress response system can become dysregulated, leading to emotional and physical exhaustion. Together, we’ll explore how this system works and develop tools to regulate your emotional and physiological response. Through a combination of mindfulness, stress-reduction techniques, and supportive dialogue, we'll restore balance, prioritize self-care, and prevent further burnout.
Self-Worth / Self-Love
Your self-worth and sense of self-love are foundational to your mental and emotional health. Neuroscientific research suggests that self-esteem is closely tied to brain areas involved in emotional regulation and reward processing. If these areas are dysregulated, negative self-perceptions can take root, affecting how you see and value yourself. Together, we’ll explore these neural patterns while focusing on shifting self-critical thoughts and building a healthier, more compassionate relationship with yourself. Therapy will support you in cultivating self-acceptance and developing the emotional resilience to embrace your true worth.
Perinatal / Postnatal Mental Health
The perinatal and postnatal periods bring a host of emotional and psychological changes. Neuroscientific research shows how pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum experience impact brain chemistry, often leading to shifts in mood, energy, and mental health. In therapy, we’ll explore the emotional challenges of this time, including anxiety, depression, and identity changes. By focusing on both the emotional and neurobiological aspects, we’ll develop personalized strategies to navigate this period with emotional support and clarity.
Motherhood
Motherhood is a transformative experience that impacts your emotional and psychological well-being in profound ways. Neuroscientific research helps us understand how the demands of caregiving, combined with hormonal shifts and evolving identity, influence mental health. Whether you're adjusting to motherhood, managing stress, or processing the complexities of raising children, therapy can help you navigate the ups and downs. We’ll explore how these experiences affect your brain and emotions, offering strategies to promote self-care, connection, and emotional balance while embracing this transformative role.
Separation / Divorce
The emotional toll of separation or divorce can feel overwhelming, as it often involves grief, identity shifts, and a sense of loss. Neuroscientific research shows that major life changes like these can impact brain function, affecting how we process and manage emotions. In our work together, we’ll explore how the brain responds to the trauma of separation and develop tools to manage the grief and emotions that arise. Therapy will provide a compassionate space to process your feelings, heal, and reclaim your sense of self during this challenging transition.
Fertility / Infertility
Struggling with fertility or infertility can be one of the most emotionally challenging experiences a person can face. The emotional burden is often compounded by the physical toll of treatments and the uncertainty of outcomes. Neuroscientific research helps us understand how the stress of infertility impacts brain chemistry and emotional regulation, influencing your mental health. Therapy can help process the grief and emotional weight of this journey, while also equipping you with strategies to cope, build resilience, and navigate this experience with greater emotional balance and understanding.
Loss / Grief
Grief is a deeply personal experience that can affect every aspect of your life—mentally, emotionally, and physically. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or significant life changes, grief can feel overwhelming and isolating. Neuroscientific research has shown that the brain’s emotional processing centers are highly active during grief, which can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. It’s important to recognize that loss and grief, while often intertwined, are not the same. Loss refers to the absence or change, while grief is the emotional response that follows, and everyone experiences these in their own unique way.
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In therapy, we’ll explore the different stages of grief, acknowledging the complexity of your emotions, while offering support to help you process at your own pace. There is no "right way" to grieve, and healing doesn’t happen on a fixed timeline. By integrating both the emotional and physiological aspects of grief, we can work together to help you navigate the waves of emotion, rebuild a sense of purpose, and move forward with strength—while honoring the impact of your loss.
Mood / Depression
Depression can take many forms, from long-standing clinical depression linked to changes in brain chemistry to situational depression or profound sadness triggered by life events or challenging circumstances. While clinical depression often involves imbalances in neurotransmitters and changes in areas of the brain that regulate mood, situational depression may arise from unresolved emotional pain, difficult experiences, or ongoing stress. Neuroscientific research shows that these emotional states, whether rooted in biology or external factors, can deeply affect mood, energy, and motivation.
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In therapy, we’ll work together to explore the underlying emotional and psychological factors that may be contributing to your experience of depression. This can include examining unprocessed feelings, unmet needs, or patterns of thought and behavior that may have developed over time. By integrating evidence-based approaches like CBT, we can address these underlying issues, shift unhelpful patterns, regulate mood, and help restore emotional balance—whether you're navigating a temporary period of sadness or managing a more long-term depressive state.
Chronic Illness
Chronic illness can bring profound emotional challenges alongside physical symptoms. Navigating ongoing medical issues, uncertainty about the future, and disruptions to daily life can lead to feelings of grief, anxiety, depression, and isolation. Neuroscientific research shows that chronic illness can impact the brain’s stress response and emotional regulation systems, making it harder to cope over time—especially without adequate support.
In therapy, we’ll create space to explore the emotional impact of illness and develop tools to care for your mental health. Together, we’ll work with evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness to manage stress, reframe unhelpful thought patterns, and cultivate self-compassion. We’ll also explore the role of support systems—how to strengthen them, lean into connection, and navigate boundaries. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with illness for years, our work will focus on helping you feel more grounded, empowered, and connected in the face of ongoing challenges.