Online Counselling for Ontario

Therapy with me is about befriending oneself unconditionally, with compassion and kindness. Through traumas, life transitions, mistakes, and successes, mindfulness can be that constant strategy that allows you to be grounded firmly in your healing. My approach is holistic, and one that synthesizes the mind, body, and spirit. My work is rooted in yoga and Buddhist practices and my professional social work experience of 18 years. My practice is LGBTQIA2S-affirming, pro-fat and anti-racist. My areas of specialty are: anxiety, depression, chronic/terminal illness, grief, burnout, body image, relationships, and immigrant issues.

Thank you for being here! I work with adults who may experience emotional and behavioural difficulties. I specialize in treating anxiety disorders, OCD, depressive disorders, personality disorders, PTSD, racial trauma, grief and loss, and other relational problems. I also work with those who have experienced childhood trauma. In my work, I consistently and sincerely acknowledge the importance of the transgenerational impact of acculturation on our beliefs, worldviews, and sense of self. I genuinely believe that we are not broken, so we do not need "fixing;" instead, we work to be the self we want to be!

"I believe one of the bravest things you can do is to begin to understand your own story." I have dedicated my life to build a practice where people can come to a place of peace, where you feel comfortable and safe to unburden yourself about the most intimate and personal aspects of your life without the fear of being judged or shamed. This process allows you to shed the layers that keep you going in the same cycles and help you start a new and more fulfilling chapter in your life. Calling a therapist can be intimidating, but I hope you will take a moment (and maybe a deep breath) to call and see how I can help.

People come to see me to heal from past trauma, to find ways to face challenges of today and to grow into who they long to be. Many are wrestling with the effects of that trauma on their day to day lives and relationships. Some who come to see me struggle with questions of meaning and faith. Some wrestle with issues of guilt and shame and seek healing on that deep level. All are looking to walk strong on their path.

Sometimes life can feel complicated. So you are not alone if you are needing help. Countless things happen that interrupt our ability to be happy and be free. My passion is to help you to live a more meaningful and satisfying life in healthy ways. This may begin with the relationship you have with yourself or with others in your life. I have a particular interest in working with clients looking to go deeper into their spirituality in discovering their meaning and purpose for their lives.

With compassion, an emphasis on safety, a gentle presence and through deep listening, I will help you to identify your goals, develop a plan, recognize your own strengths and internal resources to navigate and overcome current distresses and hurdles. Whether it is challenges of anxiety, depression, loss, trauma, life transitions, self-worth, or relationship issues, I feel it is an honour and a privilege to walk with you on your journey towards individual growth and mental wellness, exploration, discovery, healing, integration and self-empowerment.

I offer a contemplative, humanistic and occupational approach to psychotherapy, integrated with mindfulness and compassion exercises, cognitive strategies as well as somatic practices. It is open and eclectic and offers tools which can be used as needed. I take an individual, person-centred approach, and place trust in your inner wisdom to help guide us.

I have learned there is wisdom and resilience hidden in even the most painful of patterns, even when these patterns leave us trapped in destructive habits, despair or bad relationships. Once we find the wise intentions behind the old strategies, healing can happen. If you’re used to numbing out or criticizing yourself to get through the hard times – we’ll do it differently. Therapy with me is a judgment-free space to bring your sorrow, anxiety, anger and confusion without having to hide it or push through on your own.

Building connections with ourselves and others is one of the most important components of a fulfilling life. However, negative messages from the world and our past experiences can often make us feel like we are not good enough. This negative self-talk and self-doubt can make it difficult to form meaningful connections and enjoy life the way we want to, leaving us feeling overwhelmed, anxious, confused, or stuck.

Therapy is a journey towards appreciating, knowing and growing into who you are. I want to help you find breathing room in the spaces that feel small, tight and limiting in your life. With the support of my presence, curiosity and body-mind awareness we can clarify what is confusing and bring energy and focus to the next step. With person-to-person humility, I endeavour to meet you in the blank, heavy and unsteady times ready for tears to unravel or the spark of humour that puts it all into perspective. This process can help you create a life that is rich in meaning, dignity and purpose unique to you.

Feeling stuck is painful. Seeing the same issues and patterns arising time and again despite all efforts to move past them can be disheartening. I can support you to look deeply, with body and mind, into what is happening. Together, we welcome all the parts of you, even the wounded or troublesome ones, to the table where they can be honoured and learned from with compassion and curiosity. As your clarity and self-awareness increase so will your capacity to make conscious choices that are in line with the life you wish to lead.

If you work with me, you will find that I am warm, receptive, and engaging. I will offer practical tools and new ways of thinking that you can use right away to cope with the present and make plans for the future. Together we can dive into issues such as work life integration, communication with loved ones, routines and organization, and creating a meaningful, values oriented life. Sometimes we will dive into your past, because that is where a lot of challenges start, but it will always be in the service of your present and your future.

I work with people from all nations and cultures, and I work more with adults in my practice and with some Chinese when I also speak both Mandarin and Cantonese. Life is never smooth. From time to time, we need to seek help from others to face the challenges. As a professional psychotherapist, I am keen to journey with you through your life difficulties such as traumatic events, life changes, loss, and grief. I will help you to identify your own feelings, emotions, values, faith, and strength to face your life problems causing stress, anxiety or depression etc. Hopefully we work together to find meaning and transcend life changes.

Mindfulness teaches us how to relate to ourselves with kindness. I understand how the struggle to avoid or control difficult experiences can leave you feeling like your own worst enemy. Mindfulness is a different strategy. It's about learning to feel at home in our own bodies and our minds - even in times of trouble. My work is grounded in my own personal practice: a 20 year meditator with 14 years as a mindfulness educator, I'm a graduate of a Buddhist seminary with a master's degree in Counselling psychology and specialized training in working with trauma and abuse.

I would like to support you with your life challenges, stressors, depression and anxiety. I want to help you reach your goals effectively through warm and empathic interaction. I can provide a warm space if you are looking for a caring and empathic therapist. As an affirmative therapist, I also work with BIPOC and LGBTQ populations, with extensive training in couples work. I facilitate non-judgementally and can walk us through collaborative and effective approaches. I have extensive experience working with ADHD, Autism and Neurodiversity and specialize in Brainspotting Trauma therapy. I want to understand your lived experiences.

There are times in our lives that we cannot get a handle on the challenges in our life. Sometimes our genetics play a role, i.e. intergenerational traumas, and other times, life, and all its stressors gets overwhelming. For some, systemic barriers exist that impede a capacity for wellness. During these times, it is helpful to work with a trained therapist to support you as you find your way back to your healing, happiness and inner peace. Therapy is a process of growth, unlearning, and self-discovery. In my therapy sessions, I promote behavioral transformation and inner peace by encouraging curiosity, compassion and acceptance.

***NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS FOR PHONE/VIDEO**** People enter my office for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they find it difficult to make a decision or feel that they cannot get out of a vicious circle of problems, struggle to adapt to new conditions or don’t feel safe, and sometimes it is simply difficult for them to live from day to day due to mental health or physical concerns. Sometimes they want to help their loved ones and don't know how. They often want to feel free from feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, overcome the struggles and move forward.

If you are seeking awareness, growth, emotional regulation, clarity, healing from trauma, meaningful connections or if you are in a transition - i can help. I combine brain/body-based therapies with talk therapy. This helps process traumatic patterns that keep you from being happy. We can work towards moving beyond coping mechanisms to a more peaceful/harmonious life. In our sessions you will feel heard and seen; this promotes self acceptance which is the first step to changing. We’ll have conversations that will increase awareness this will help you understand yourself and others, feel more compassion, and live with more ease.

Do you feel you’ve achieved a high level of success but you’re still not satisfied? Do you find yourself feeling stuck? That something is missing, but just don’t know what that is. Are you having some trouble finding your way to true happiness that you end up living on somebody’s expectations? You want to move forward but you are confined in your own world, afraid to spread your wings because of thoughts that you are not good enough. So, it’s your time to start facing your fears and be the driver of your life, too. Become the better version of yourself by connecting to the source of what holds you back!