How do I know if therapy is right for me?

People come to therapy for many reasons—relationship difficulties, anxiety, stress, feeling stuck, or navigating life changes. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit. If something keeps repeating, feels heavy, or isn’t resolving on its own, therapy can help you better understand what’s happening and find a way forward that feels more grounded and intentional.

What is therapy with you like?

Therapy with me is collaborative, thoughtful, and paced. In the first few sessions, we focus on understanding what brings you in and what you’re hoping for, rather than rushing toward solutions or techniques. My role is to help you make sense of patterns, emotions, and relational dynamics, and to support change that feels realistic and sustainable. Sessions are structured but flexible, guided by what is most relevant for you.

What types of issues do you work with?

I work with adults and couples around a wide range of concerns, including:

• Relationship and communication difficulties
• Anxiety and stress
• Life transitions and decision-making
• Emotional regulation and feeling overwhelmed
• Repeating patterns in relationships
• Work-related stress and burnout
• Feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsure of next steps

If you’re unsure whether your concern fits, we can discuss it during an initial consultation.

Do you offer couples counselling?

Yes. Couples counselling is a significant part of my practice. I work with couples experiencing communication breakdowns, recurring conflict, trust issues, emotional distance, or difficulty navigating change. My approach is Gottman-informed and focuses on understanding interaction patterns, improving communication, and strengthening emotional safety and connection.

What approaches or modalities do you use?

I use an integrative approach, drawing from several evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems–informed work, Gottman-informed couples therapy, and somatic or whole-body awareness. These approaches are adapted to your needs rather than applied rigidly. The emphasis is on understanding your experience and supporting meaningful, lasting change.

How long does therapy usually take?

The length of therapy varies depending on your goals and circumstances. Some people come for short-term support around a specific issue, while others choose longer-term work to address deeper or long-standing patterns. We’ll check in regularly about what’s helpful and adjust as needed. Therapy is not intended to be open-ended by default.

How often are sessions scheduled?

Most clients begin with weekly or biweekly sessions. Frequency can change over time depending on your needs, availability, and goals. This is something we decide together as the work unfolds.

Do you give advice or tell clients what to do?

My role is not to tell you what to do, but to help you understand what’s happening and clarify your options. At times, I may offer observations, frameworks, or practical tools, but decisions always remain yours. The goal is to support insight, agency, and sustainable change rather than dependence on therapy.

What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help?

That’s a common experience. Sometimes therapy wasn’t the right fit, the timing wasn’t right, or the approach didn’t match what was needed. We can talk about what was helpful or unhelpful in past experiences and use that information to shape our work together.

Is what I say in therapy confidential?

Yes. Sessions are confidential and follow the ethical and professional standards of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). There are specific legal and ethical limits to confidentiality, which I explain clearly at the beginning of therapy so there are no surprises.

Do you offer virtual or in-person sessions?

All sessions are offered virtually using a highly secure, encrypted platform designed specifically for therapists and medical practitioners. This ensures privacy and confidentiality while allowing you to attend sessions from a comfortable and familiar environment. Virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person work.

What are your fees, and do you accept insurance?

My current fees are listed on the Fees page of this website. Many extended health plans cover psychotherapy services provided by a Registered Psychotherapist. I recommend confirming coverage directly with your insurance provider.

Do you offer direct billing?

Direct billing is available only for NIHB and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) clients.

All other clients pay at the time of the session and receive a receipt that can be submitted to insurance for reimbursement or used for tax purposes, depending on individual coverage.

How do I book an appointment?

To get started, please contact me using the Contact Me page. We will schedule a free 10-minute consultation. This brief conversation allows you to ask questions and helps ensure that your needs and situation are within my scope of practice. It also gives both of us an opportunity to determine whether working together feels like a good fit before starting therapy.

What happens in the first full session?

The first session focuses on understanding what’s bringing you in, what you’ve tried so far, and what you’re hoping to gain from therapy. I’ll also review consent, confidentiality, and how I work, and answer any questions you may have. There’s no expectation to have everything figured out before starting.

What if I’m not sure you’re the right therapist for me?

That’s completely okay. Fit matters in therapy. The early sessions are a chance to see whether the work feels helpful and aligned. If it doesn’t feel like the right fit, we can discuss next steps or alternative options.

How do I get started?

The best first step is to reach out through the Contact Me page to arrange a free 10-minute consultation. From there, we can decide how to proceed.

If you’re looking for individual or couples therapy in Ottawa and want to work with an experienced, thoughtful Registered Psychotherapist offering secure virtual sessions, you’re welcome to get in touch.