Areas of Focus
Depression / Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are two of the most commonly-diagnosed mental health concerns. Everyone get depressed or anxious every once in while. That's totally normal. But a clinical depression or anxiety problem is a "down" mood that lasts for days, even weeks. It can dramatically affect your work, your family, and your day-to-day life. I have struggled with depression since my teenage years, and I have learned a number of coping strategies I would be glad to share.
Substance Use / Abuse
Whether it is alcohol, cannabis, hard drugs or nicotine, problematic substance use habits can wreak havoc in our lives. I am in recovery and I can help you explore options for being completely abstinent from substances, or we can take a harm-reduction approach where you try to use less, or less often.
PTSD & Trauma
We used to think that only soldiers and first-responders could be diagnosed with PTSD. PTSD (or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a set of responses to having experienced a traumatic event or events. Characterized by intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, avoidance behavior, and sudden outbursts of anger or fear, we now know that it can be the result of sexual violence, natural disaster, and toxic families or workplaces. I was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of my workplace, and I can provide you with support as you recover.
I am also now trained to provide EMDR, a treatment protocol that is extremely effective in processing trauma and treating PTSD.
Click here to read more about this technique.
Relationships
Relationships aren't quite like they are portrayed in the media, are they? Most of us were never warned how difficult money, sex, parenting, or task division was going to be. Many couples lack the tools and strategies to properly communicate their needs and maintain adequate boundaries. I have been married for 10 years, and my wife and I have had our share of ups and downs as we raise our 2 kids. We have had to develop strong communication skills and work on ourselves to be a better couple, and I can share strategies that work with you and your partner.
Life Transitions
Some life transitions are sad. The loss of a loved one can leave a huge absence in our lives. Some like transitions are joyful, such as a wedding, the birth of a child or retirement. However, what marks these transitions, happy or sad, is a movement from one identity to another. Many of us look forward to retirement for years, only to find that our identity was so wrapped up in our career that we have no idea who we are without that identity. I have been through many transitions myself and have guided people as they move from one stage to the next, and I can support you in your change.
Spiritual Growth
I firmly believe that spirituality and spiritual expression can have a significantly positive effect on our lives. It can be a positive space for self-reflection and growth. However, it can also be a negative space in which we experience judgment, exclusion, abuse and trauma. I was an Anglican priest for 12 years, and found myself dissatisfied with the confines of organized religion. I would currently define myself as a spiritual seeker, and I would be pleased to provide you with space to explore your own spiritual journey.
