Stimulating relief with EMDR. Gentle healing with IFS
During my time in private practice and community service centers in Vancouver, Canada, I found the people I worked with benefited when I used multiple therapeutic approaches. That’s because they often experienced more than one challenge at the same time. I also found people resonated with certain approaches more than others.
One of the main therapies I use is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). It's a deep and fast way of getting to the core of people's challenges because it works on a neurological level. The theory behind EMDR is that by using bilateral stimulation movements we can access memories, thoughts, body sensations and emotions that have been stored separately and locked in so they can be reprocessed.
I also use Internal Family Systems (IFS), a gentle way of making contact with your Self – a place of inner calm – and healing wounded parts. This happens when parts that have taken on extreme roles to protect themselves or others (usually since childhood) learn to take on more helpful roles.
Together, we can explore what works for you.
A safe space to land
As a therapeutic approach originally developed to support survivors of trauma, EMDR is particularly suited to support Palestinians living with the ongoing trauma of what's going on back home.
If you're afraid for your family – feeling jumpy and easily startled, waking up in a sweat from nightmares, feeling exhausted from raw emotions or shutdown and numb, I understand. These are some of the symptoms of primary trauma.
Or are you experiencing the more insidious secondary trauma? The quiet anger that comes from unacknowledged injustice. Or speaking out but being gaslit? The sad irony is you left home because you weren’t safe there. You were told you would be safe outside. But now you feel silenced and trapped.
If what you read resonates with you, there is a safe place for you. A place where you will be welcomed, accepted and invited to share and rewrite your story.
Putting it all together
I work using an eclectic approach that's informed by training and certifications in:
EMDR for Attachment (In progress)
IFS-Informed EMDR - Kendhal Hart (In progress)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Basic Training - Leading Edge Seminars - EMDRIA approved
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Essential Skills - Beck Institute
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) - Level 1 Trauma Themes
Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) - Level 1 (Greenberg)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - Psychwire - Marsha Linehan
Integrated Attachment Therapy (IAT) - Thais Gibson
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) for Walk-In Counselling - Foundry
Neuroscience and Satir in the Sandtray (NSST) - Dr. Madeleine DeLittle
Education: Master of Counselling Psychology - Adler University
Challenges I work with:
Career stress
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
Low Self Esteem
Emotion Regulation
Relationship challenges
Major life decisions and transitions
And more
I welcome you to Thrive
Bookings
It's important to feel safe and comfortable when you're learning to befriend your Self, so I'm happy to offer counselling in-person or online. You're welcome to join me at the clinic, or if you prefer the convenience and comfort of home, you can choose to do your sessions over Zoom.
Clinic location
