Are you struggling with overwhelming feelings? Does anxiety inhibit your potential? Do you feel as if you cannot live as your true, authentic self? Things are tough out there! And it’s so challenging navigating this world when you feel unseen and unheard. Taking your first step towards wellness is so courageous, and you’re not alone on this journey. Therapy supports traversing competing challenges of your life, and helps you heal from the less helpful ways we all learn to cope for our own survival in impossible conditions.
Together we create an environment committed to embracing your unique experiences by offering safety, non-judgement and compassion. This space is especially welcoming for LGBTQ2+ community members and allies. We ground ourselves in social justice and anti-oppression principles, fostering a healing journey where your experiences and needs are welcomed and supported.
Thanks for checking out my little corner of the internet. You are welcome here.
About me and my work
I am a registered psychotherapist (qualifying) working with clients out of the place commonly known as Ontario, Canada (virtual therapy only). I work primarily with young adults and adults as individuals and in relationships (i.e., couple’s therapy) to support the development of an authentic, healing self. I also support clients virtually in Newfoundland & Labrador, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
My work largely consists of supporting my LGBTQ+ community and/or poly(amorous) folks. I work with people struggling with their identity, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and challenging relationship patterns.
I entered this pathway by supporting queer and trans folks in educational settings, and in teaching important but difficult content to undergraduate students (ranging from feminist and queer theory to political polarization and Asian wisdom traditions… it’s been quite a journey!). I also have a background studying existential philosophy, which sometimes shapes the therapeutic work clients like us to do together. I am currently completing a Master of Arts in Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care from Wilfrid Laurier University. There, I have been trained in trauma, addictions, Buddhist care, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT).
My work is grounded in queer and trans-affirming, body-positive, feminist, anti-capitalist values (despite working and living in a colonized place not at all in congruence with these values– making this a sometimes clumsy practice).
If you’re interested in working together, don’t hesitate to book a free consultation here or reach out to discuss further.
Credentials and experience
- Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
- Master of Arts in Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy from Wilfrid Laurier University (Degree Conferral: Fall 2024)
- General Graduate Studies in Literary, Social & Political Theory at Western University
- Bachelor of Arts with Joint Honours Thesis in Political Science and Gender, Sexuality, Feminist, and Social Justice Studies from McGill University
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
- Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy Level 1 Training
- Trauma-Informed Therapy Level 1 Training
- Intercultural Certificate, Wilfrid Laurier University
- Sexual Violence Response Certificate, Wilfrid Laurier University
Perhaps most importantly, I am forever indebted to the anti-oppressive and healing teachings organized by community leaders in Mi’kma’ki, Tiohtià:ke, Tkaronto, and on the unceded/occupied Haldimand Tract which have shaped my work and values.
Approach / modalities
- Attachment-based psychotherapy
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical-behavioural therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-focused therapy (EFT)
- Existential psychotherapy
- Feminist therapy
- Narrative therapy
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
What does all that mean and actually look like?
First and foremost, I believe that you should have the strongest say in how your therapy goes, what is prioritized, and how we work together. So, I take what is called a “client-centred approach” to psychotherapy. This comes first and foremost to me. The techniques below serve to help us in working through what you need to get out of your experience.
Sometimes, the people I work with are in really difficult places where it feels impossible to manage daily life or to live authentically as your true self. In those cases, turning to cognitive and behavioural techniques like dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can help turn things around and offer you the skills needed to get where you want to be.
Others are concerned with how they are (co-)creating negative cycles which endlessly repeat in relationships and life. Emotionally-focused therapy (EFT) offers people a way out of these “maladaptive attachment strategies” and into healthier ways of living. The attachments from our past relationships echo into the present, but they need not so powerfully unconsciously affect us.
Sometimes depression or life circumstances can make us question the things we took for granted, from life ambitions to the very meaning of life. In these cases, clients sometimes request drawing upon spiritually-informed counselling, wisdom traditions, and existential psychotherapy to shine some light in dark caves of meaninglessness.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
― Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning author and founder of existential psychotherapy
Rates & sliding scale
We live in a capitalistic society where therapy is hard to access. I charge $100/hour for individuals, and $120/hour for relational (couple’s) counselling.
If this rate is inaccessible for you, I offer a sliding scale to $70/hour. I allow all clients to choose the rate which works best for them within this range, trusting you know your financial situation best. Please do not hesitate to contact me about this sliding scale. I understand this sliding scale range is often still insufficient, and I plan on continually evaluating this offering as my capacity and practical constraints change.
Let’s chat
If you’re interested in learning more, I offer free 15-minute consultations. These are no-obligation meet-and-greets to learn more about me, my process, and to see if we might fit together for this work. Please book here.
I know that therapy is a major, and often life-changing commitment. Don’t hesitate to reach out to see if we’re a good fit, or if I can try to help in finding someone who might be.
– Ky
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
— Carl Rogers, founder of humanistic psychotherapy