My approach

Embodied, relational, and spiritually integrated

As a therapist, I draw on a wide variety of influences, including my background in spiritually-integrated therapy (a Master’s on Psychospiritual Studies from U of T) and my recent training in Hakomi therapy. I have a deep love and curiosity for the spiritual path, as well as the mysteries of life—this forms a cornerstone of my approach. I feel enlivened by supporting people as they find meaning, purpose, and hope in times of difficulty.

In 2024, I got certified as a Hakomi therapist. I first experienced Hakomi therapy as a client over a decade ago and it changed my life. The modality inspired me so much that I decided to study it myself so I could offer the same type of healing to my clients.

What Hakomi therapy is all about (and why I love it)

Hakomi is a form of psychotherapy founded by Ron Kurtz in 1981 that combines modern advances in neuroscience with the ancient mindfulness practices drawn from Eastern spirituality. What I love most about Hakomi is its emphasis on the here and now. Because of this, the energy and aliveness in the room is palpable. 

Another reason I love it is that it’s not some overly intellectual therapeutic framework. Hakomi is grounded in a set of principles for living life authentically and compassionately. I frequently refer to these principles in my own daily life to make sure I’m showing up in a way that reflects my values.

A final reason I love Hakomi: it’s a somatic approach. (“Somatic” simply means “relating to the body.”) Working with the body is one of the most potent therapeutic tools we have available because the body is the gateway to the unconscious—and it’s the unconscious mind where our most deeply-ingrained patterns of stuckness tend to live. Working with the body lets us unlock new awareness that may have previously felt inaccessible, which gives us more choice in how we relate to our life.

Hakomi is grounded in six main principles: 

1. Unity

2. Mind-body holism

3. Organicity

4. Mindfulness

5. Nonviolence

6. Loving presence

Organicity—My favouite Hakomi principle

Each of the six principles of Hakomi deeply inform my practice—feel free to ask me more on our intake call—but for now, I’ll share a bit more about my favourite of the bunch. To me, organicity simply means following the flow of an experience. To me, organicity feels like watching a river, since we’re immersing ourselves in the energy of effortless flow. 

As a therapist, this means removing my own preconceived notions of how your healing is ‘supposed’ to unfold, and instead surrendering to your embodied impulses. I always believe in my clients’ capacity to heal versus trying to ’fix’ or ‘save’ them.

I deeply believe that we all have the medicine we need to heal inside of us. Just like you don’t need to ‘do’ anything to heal a wound (except maybe sanitize it and bandage it up), your emotional healing is largely driven by your own mindbody’s inherent healing capabilities (even if it does take some tending to.)

My job is to help you remove the ‘stuff’ that gets in the way of your system’s capacity to heal. When we work through our pain and meet our wounding with loving, attuned presence, we make space for your own inherent wisdom to emerge and show us the way forward.

My areas of specialty

I tend to work really well with ‘seeker’ types—folks who are growth-oriented and excited about doing the work to uncover more of their authentic selves. I also have a strong contingent of fellow therapists in my client base, and really enjoy supporting them. I often support queer and trans folks, although I am happy and comfortable supporting a wide variety of identities.

Some issues I am most skilled at working with:

  • Shame

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Relationship challenges

  • Existential questioning

  • Life transitions and the grief that often comes with them

  • Trauma (developmental, relational, intergenerational)

  • LGBTQ+ issues, such as navigating sexual orientation and gender identity 

“Never tell a closed heart it must be more open.

It will shut more tightly to protect itself. A heart unfurls only when conditions are right. Instead, bow to the Heart in its current state. If it’s closed, let it be closed; sanctify the closure.

Make it safe; safe even to feel unsafe.

Trust that when the heart is ready, and not a moment before, it will open, like a flower in the warmth of the sun.”

—Jeff Foster

A note on my social location and anti-oppressive values

I believe all identities are intersectional, and I bring this understanding to the therapeutic container. I deeply empathize with others’ experiences of pain because of my own experiences of being queer and trans, as well as a descendent of Holocaust survivors. I also acknowledge the immense privilege I hold that comes from being white, middle class, able-bodied and university-educated—and the ways in which these privileges have enabled me to do this type of work.

I acknowledge the oppressive history of psychotherapy, and I am committed to de-pathologizing my clients’ experiences of struggle. I strive to always be aware of the intersections of identity and the power dynamics that may affect our therapeutic relationship. I am committed to embodying the principles of anti-racism and perpetually learning about the ways I unintentionally cause harm. I always remain open to being challenged or called in.