Services
All services are provided online via a secure, easy-to-use video platform you can access on your phone or computer.
(Limited in-person services available in downtown Owen Sound. Call to inquire about availability).
Counselling services are available to residents of Ontario, ages 13 and up.
Individual Counselling
Individual counselling (also called psychotherapy or 'talk therapy') is a process during which you meet 1-1 with your counsellor to discuss the challenges you are experiencing, and to develop and work towards goals to resolve those concerns. It is an opportunity for your feelings to be heard and validated, to gain new perspective, to learn new skills for coping with difficult emotions, and to develop healthier behaviour patterns.
I offer individual counselling to individuals who are experiencing mild to moderate eating disorder/disordered eating symptoms, body-image and self-esteem issues, and concerns related to mood, anxiety, or general stress.
I draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities including CBT, DBT, ACT, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness, and can tailor the approach to your individual needs.
*Individuals who are experiencing severe eating disorder symptoms may require more intensive specialized care including day-treatment or inpatient treatment prior to accessing individual outpatient counselling. I can help you to explore how to access the appropriate level of care you need.
Parent/Caregiver Education, Coaching and Support
As a parent/caregiver to a young person with eating or mental health concerns, it can sometimes be difficult to know how to best support them towards a return to wellness. However, when parents/caregivers can become more confident and empowered to help their young person, the outcome is often better.
Parent-focused sessions can be tailored to meet your particular needs and may include:
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Psychoeducation to help you to better understand your loved ones' mental health challenges, or to determine if you or your loved one would benefit from therapy.
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Coaching and skills-development so that you can feel more confident in how to communicate with, and respond to your loved ones' emotions and behaviours.
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Coaching and skill-building around how to better manage your own emotions.
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Emotional support for yourself.
Parents/caregivers may wish to access this service even if their young person is not yet ready or willing to engage in therapy.
When working with caregivers, I draw upon multiple therapeutic modalities, including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT).
Family-Based Treatment
(FBT)
Family-based treatment (FBT) is the most commonly recommended treatment for youth with anorexia and bulimia. It is an outpatient treatment that focuses on empowering the family to help their young person to overcome an eating disorder. Active parent/caregiver participation is a requirement for FBT, as is regular medical monitoring.
FBT utilizes a collaborative team approach. Members of the treatment team include the youth, their caregivers/family, the therapist, and their family physician or pediatrician. In some cases, a dietitian also supports the recovery process by providing nutritional guidance and coaching to the caregivers, who are tasked with nourishing their young person.
There are 3 phases during the process of FBT:
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Phase 1 - The focus is on supporting parents/caregivers to help their child/adolescent to re-establish normal eating patterns. Parents are tasked with taking charge of their young person's nutrition - making decisions about what, and how much they eat - and supporting them through the meal (often referred to as 'meal support'). Parents/caregivers are also tasked with helping to interrupt behaviours such as over-exercising or purging. This phase of treatment can be very challenging - from both a practical and an emotional standpoint - and the therapist will work with the family to support them through the process.
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Phase 2 - As the child/adolescent's weight and eating behaviour stabilizes, the parents/caregivers are supported in gradually shifting control of eating back to their young person.
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Phase 3 - The final phase of FBT focuses on helping the youth and family to work through underlying issues, getting back on track with normal adolescent developmental tasks, and developing a non eating-disordered identity.
I often draw upon concepts and skills informed by Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Emotion Focused Family Therapy during the process of FBT.
Clinical Consultation for Professionals
Clinical consultation is for licensed mental health clinicians seeking to enhance their knowledge and capacity to serve clients affected by eating disorders and co-occurring or other mental health issues including anxiety and concerns related to mood and emotion regulation. Consultation sessions provide opportunities for professional self-reflection, to explore alternative perspectives, and to get 'unstuck' when working with challenging case situations. Within my practice, I utilize an eclectic approach, drawing upon a variety of therapeutic modalities including CBT, DBT, ACT, EFFT, MI, and mindfulness - always through a trauma-informed lens. I continually seek to enhance my knowledge and practice through ongoing trainings. Accessing regular clinical consultation can help to reduce the risk of compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious trauma.