Scheduling and Sessions

Yes, I tailor each therapy plan to meet individual needs and goals, ensuring a personalized approach to therapy. Also, I adapt each therapy plan as the needs of each client evolves. A client's therapy plan should evolve in tandem with their life, which of course is never static!

Yes, studies have shown that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many mental health issues. However, in my experience, videochats feel different, which many of us discovered when our in-person meetings switched to online! Some clients prefer the tangible energy of an in-person session, which sadly, I do not currently provide. On the other hand, the commute to a video-chat session is unbeatable, and as long as you fix up your hair, if you just got out of bed, I'll never know! ;)

You will need a stable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and a quiet, private space for your sessions. Rest assured that I will do the same! You may choose to wear headphones which will enhance audio quality and privacy, however this is optional. :)

Choose a private, quiet location and use headphones to maintain confidentiality. It can be indoors or outdoors; sometimes, my clients like to have their session in a park or while out walking. The main goal is to ensure that you are away from other people who might overhear!

Online therapy offers convenience, flexibility, and accessibility, allowing you to receive support from the comfort of your home. The commute is unbeatable, you're on "home turf," and it's a pyjama-safe zone! Some clients even appreciate the decreased intimacy associated with online therapy compared to in-person therapy. When you're in the physical presence of another person, the atmosphere can be imposing, especially when delicate emotional material is discussed. With online therapy, you can turn off the camera, and even end the call early, if you need to make space and breathe :) Don't worry; I'll never be offended if you need space, including if you need to take a break from or end therapy entirely! I've done it, so I get it ;)

Fair question! The answer, in my mind, is both simple and nuanced. The answer, in my mind, is both simple and nuanced. Sometimes, a client will ask me a similar question at the end of a consultation: “So, do you think you can help me?” Ultimately, only you can answer the question, but I can break it down into two parts. The first part concerns how our interpersonal styles match. One thing I can confidently say about myself is that I enjoy relating to all of my clients and to most people in my life. I’m a naturally curious, social person. At the same time, I speak directly and tend to avoid small talk as much as possible. Therefore, sessions with me are focused on the nitty-gritty, and I work best with clients who prefer a direct communication style, prefer to tackle their issues head-on rather than tiptoe around them, and are prepared to change the way they approach them, too. In other words, I work best with clients who, by nature or by necessity, come to therapy with determination and grit. I also feel it’s important to say that my “neurospicy” brain adds a unique flavour to therapy. Will I throw in a random song or movie reference in the conversation that I think adds context to your issue and supports your emotional process? Probably. Will it take some explaining on my part? Maybe! My (often dark) sense of humour is also core to my identity. I’m not above using it with my clients if the moment calls for it. It helps if you bring your sense of humour, too! I’m also a firm believer that the client drives therapy. I don’t do “band-aid therapy” or “pill therapy,” and I don’t heal my clients. My clients heal themselves, while I act as a guide, consultant, and witness to their process. While my interpersonal style is not everyone’s cup of tea, and I’m not the best partner for light conversation, I’ll wager that I’m exactly the person you want to talk to when you can no longer hide from the dark. I won’t flinch, I won’t look away, and I won’t leave you isolated to face the dark alone. For the same reason that I avoid small talk, I gravitate to deep, real conversation where we can acknowledge and explore the truth openly and without shame together. Then, as the saying goes, the truth will set you free ;) The other part of whether I can help you concerns your readiness to move forward with healing. The context of your life here is important, which I can illustrate with the following story: It starts with a dog lying on a deck next to his guardian and a guest. The dog starts to whimper, and while the guest notices, the guardian doesn’t. The whimpers turn to whines, and the whines to wails, until, desperate to help, the guest exclaims to his host, “What’s going on?!” The guardian calmly replies, “Oh, he’s just sitting on a nail,” and shrugs. The guest looks at his host, aghast. “So, why don’t you help him?!” “I don’t need to,” the host replies. “It’s just not painful enough for him to move, yet.” I want to emphasize that I don’t view my clients as anything other than fully human! At the same time, I think, metaphorically, everyone brings one or more “nails” on which they “sit” to therapy, not because they don’t want to get off them, but because there isn’t anywhere less painful yet to move to, or because moving might make it worse, such as in crises when stabilizing your situation takes priority over examining your life choices. I believe that I’ve provided enough information on my website to help you decide if therapy with me is less painful than “sitting” on the “nails” that are stuck in your mind. At the same time, I welcome you to book a consultation with me to be sure that our personalities match, or to answer any questions that your “nails” are still asking ;) In the meantime, I hope that by being transparent about my interpersonal style and sharing the narrative metaphor above, I’ve at least answered this question! :)