You want to embark on a path of self exploration, understanding, and insight. Your journey may have you delving into the deeper questions of life and trying to understand who you are, what you want in life and relationships, finding a sense of meaning, and what steps you want to take moving forward.

Maybe you have had experiences in your relationships, stress, mood, self esteem, or motivation that are negatively impacting your day to day life? Are you left wondering how to work through them? Do you experience emotional distress and are looking for support?

These are all different types of what’s sometimes called a “dark night” experience. They are highly connected to certain mental health experiences I have experience in treating:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma

I am delighted your journey has brought you to Smart Therapy. I am excited to learn about you, to hear your story, and to support you in taking healing steps to move forward.

I am a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist in Kitchener, Ontario with 9 years of experience in helping adults (18+) in a range of areas through individual psychotherapy and counselling services.

Smart Therapy™ believes in the the reality that deep down, you have wisdom of your own, and that is something that I will work toward drawing out in our sessions together.

Tapping into this is empowering and can give you the ability to deal with anything that comes your way in life.

I specialize in depth-psychotherapy approaches. Smart Therapy™ has a therapeutic style that includes:

• Several evidence-based therapeutic methods
• Exploration of conscious and unconscious aspects of the self
• Supporting you in working towards self-empathy

I aim to create a safe and comfortable environment for you to explore your thoughts and feelings freely, while also using evidence-based depth-therapies to work towards relief of your symptoms. I use a multi-faceted approach and combine Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Jungian Approaches, and Emotion Focused Therapy all together into one integrative approach that I call Smart Therapy™. Together we will work towards achieving your particular healing and therapeutic goals.

As a health service provider based in Kitchener, Ontario, I prioritize my continuing education so I can keep bringing my best to my patients. I have received training and certification in a variety of treatment approaches and therapies, and continue to pursue clinical training regularly.

In addition to traditional talk therapy (including Emotion-Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapies) I am happy to offer additional (and totally optional) therapeutic treatments including:

• Clinical Counselling Hypnotherapy (C.Hyp™)
• HeartHealing®
• DreamRevealing™
• Art-based therapeutic activities for in between our therapy sessions

A client-centered approach where we explore what events, thoughts, or feelings have, or will transpire-either past, present, or what is on the horizon. This includes the encouragement of non-judgemental awareness and acceptance of yourself; to quote Jim Carrey, “Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world.”

Our meetings work toward exploration of and making personal shifts with respect to the following aspects of your life:

Cognitive Tendencies/Thinking Patterns

• Understanding how to manage and overcome catastrophizing thoughts, reducing obsessive thinking, improving self-esteem, body image

Emotional Processing & Regulation

• Processing emotionally difficult experiences, learning how to work through painful emotions and begin to learn how to self-soothe

Behavioural Changes

• Shifting impulsive tendencies, tackling procrastination, addressing alcohol/substance concerns, learning to set boundaries

Existential Exploration

• Exploring worldviews and beliefs, identify personally meaningful areas of life and how these areas can be amplified for you

I am licensed in an advanced hypnotherapy technique called HeartHealing® which is an integrative healing approach to facilitate deep and profound shifts. It integrates multiple trauma-informed approaches including:

• Attachment Theory
• Inner Child Healing
• Meditative Journeying
• Psychodynamic Theory
• Social Work Theory and Knowledge
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Techniques
• Parts Therapy
• Somatic Healing Theory

This treatment is currently available through Smart Therapy as a specialty treatment. Contact us to find out more information.

My practice is currently based in Kitchener, Ontario. Smart Therapy’s services are being offered solely over video and phone.

Studies have shown there are benefits to distance and virtual therapy that in-person does not offer. One of the benefits is called the “Disinhibition Effect,” meaning people feel more comfortable talking over video or phone about things they otherwise might not have brought up in person. Many people have also  found distance therapy to be more comfortable since they can do it from their own home or space.