A bit about me as a counsellor
I danced growing up. It was my first love, my first heartbreak, and my first toolset for processing, self-expression and growth. It guides my practice where I use an embodied approach to working with and relating to clients. I fell into counselling out of a curiosity for understanding how it works and how it could support me in addressing things in my life that were restricting me from being fully present and living my truth. What I've discovered is that counselling is also a dance. I use dance here as a metaphor for the creative practice of therapy where I am able to relate, connect and work with people. Where our differences are a source connection, something to honor, and to value in our relationship. Where some days it flows and other days it is clunky. Where it is about learning and creating the choreography that strengthens, softens and allows you to sparkle. Being a therapist allows me to merge my talents and passions, to be both a foreigner and local creating a sustainable environment for my clients.
How I work
My approach is rooted in Gestalt theory - I work integratively adapting to the needs of each individual. The Gestalt approach is centered around curiosity and self-discovery, and it explores how the social, political, and cultural contexts in which each person exists influence their lived experiences. Often, a deep understanding of both internal and external processes can help us return to wholeness.
I invite you to pause here and notice how you react to what you’ve just read.
Are you noticing…
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-Any sensations in your body?
-Any thoughts/feelings/judgments?
-Any strong urges to (act, say, think)?
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I ask these questions to highlight the innate wisdom that we each carry into this work. In essence, I see my role as continually reminding my clients of the beautiful strength and unique knowledge that they bring into their own process.
Background
Through my professional background in intercultural education, international safeguarding, and conflict resolution, as well as my lived experience I have developed an intimate understanding of how heritage, culture, and racial identities are fundamental to how humans experience the world. As a result, I use an intersectional approach to help my clients identify skillful ways of managing challenging emotions such as shame, anger, depression, anxiety, and grief. I am particularly interested in the interconnection of intimacy and trauma, and how it impacts relationships to self and others.
