Credentials and experience
- Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
- Master of Arts in Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy from Wilfrid Laurier University
- 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
- Emotionally-focused therapy (EFT)
- Existential psychotherapy
- Feminist therapy
- Narrative therapy
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Skills from cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical-behavioural therapy (DBT), and attachment theory.
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 means you are the most important factor in creating a tailored healing space for you. 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 tough places where it feels impossible to manage daily life or to live authentically as your true self. In those cases, turning to techniques from 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. Especially once we realize that what once protected us, has become our own punishment.
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. In our society, we’re often afraid to talk about our past, death, meaning, and the unknown. Part of carving out a counter-cultural healing space is about opening up these taboo conversations.
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, ask any questions you may have, and for both of us 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