In Ontario, an RN Psychotherapist is a Registered Nurse (RN), who has completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, and is registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). In addition, we have undergone intensive training in mental health, counselling, and psychotherapeutic interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

I've gained certification through the College of Health Studies as a Certified Nurse Psychotherapist.
In addition, I am a TEAM-CBT Therapist, having achieved my Level 2 certification in TEAM-CBT Therapy, which is a major development of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), created by the renowned psychiatrist, and one of the forefathers of CBT, Dr. David Burns.

While it is my speciality to help people of all ages who struggle with anxiety, I also offer professional counselling and psychotherapy and for adults, children, and families who are dealing with other mental health issues, such as:

• Addiction & Substance Abuse

• ADHD and Learning Difficulties

• Ageing

• Bereavement and Grief

• Bipolar

• Depression

• Divorce

• Eating Disorders

• Family / Parenting

• Health & Wellness

• LGBTQIA2S+

• Life Stage Changes

• Mindfulness

• Personal Growth

• Phobias / Fears

• Relationships

• Retirement

• Sleep Disorders

• Stress / Lifestyle

• Self Harm

I have extensive training and experience using various evidenced-based therapeutic approaches and I’ll select the most suitable approach for you and your specific needs.

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Exposure Therapy

• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

• Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE Therapy)

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

• Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)

• Mindfulness Therapy

• Motivational Interviewing

Anxiety shows up in different ways for everyone. Anxious thoughts and rumination are the root of anxious feelings. When people are experiencing anxiety, they commonly believe the worst possible thing is going to happen. They might think that they cannot possibly handle a given situation, especially when they feel uncertain of the outcome. 

Some common patterns of anxious thinking:

• Asking lots of 'what if…?' questions,

• Needing a lot of reassurance from others (this is especially common in children),

• Imagining that others are judging you, in a negative way

Physical symptoms may include:

• rapid, shallow breathing,

• muscle tension,

• racing heart,

• upset stomach,

• headache,

• racing thoughts

These symptoms can last for extended periods of time (or until the thing that is stressing you out is over).  
A panic attack involves a sudden, intense onset of  some or all of these physical symptoms that lasts for a short period…most people think that they are dying or having a heart attack. 

Identifying your own anxious patterns is the first step towards overcoming them.

Many of my clients have first started their journey toward healing and growth in my care. First we’ll start with a comprehensive assessment where I’ll gain a more full understanding of your needs. Then we can set goals, define objectives, make a plan, and dive into the work! You are deserving of support, and I am committed to walking alongside you every step of the way.

It is my belief and experience that you will get more out of your life if you are willing to help yourself. Change is spurred by a feeling that something just isn't quite right, that something could be better, that there's an issue you want to resolve. Therapy is an important step in discovering the world around you and finding your place in it.

I offer a complementary 15 minute phone consultation to all new clients, or parents of potential new clients, at no charge. If we decide to move forward with an in-person session, or an online Telehealth counselling session, my fee for a 50 minute individual or family counselling session is $150. For an extended 90 minute session, the fee is $200.

RN Psychotherapists are covered by several insurance providers here in Ontario, including Green Shield. If your insurance doesn't cover RN psychotherapy, some providers may offer coverage under ‘private nursing benefits’, so it’s worth reaching out to your insurance provider to see if you are covered in either category.

OCD can manifest as intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviours that a person feels they cannot control, and overwhelming anxiety that can greatly impact one’s daily life. These thoughts can be weird, and not reflect the values and beliefs that the person identifies with, and often they don’t even make sense to them.

To relieve the anxiety related to these thoughts, people with OCD perform compulsions or rituals that take up one or more hours of their day, and that may or may not have anything to do with the intrusive thoughts, at all.

I use a combination of CBT, and Exposure Therapy to guide clients who are experiencing these types of intrusive thoughts and behaviours, and I help them to find healthier ways to relieve their stress and anxieties.

Yes, I offer virtual (Telehealth) counselling sessions for clients living in Ontario, Canada, and in-person sessions for those living in Kincardine and surrounding areas in Bruce County, Ontario.

You can book a complimentary 15 minute Phone Consultation here, or a 50 minute Virtual Telehealth session here.

Anxiety can lead to avoidance behaviours, excessive worry, and physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and muscle tension, and can trigger the "fight or flight" brain response, leading to heightened stress levels. Our therapy approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other coping strategies that help children, teens, and adults effectively manage their anxiety.  Avoidance is the biggest symptom of anxiety. 

Here’s a list of what anxious people tend to avoid: 

• People, places, and situations that make them uncomfortable

• Doing new things

• Meeting new people

• Uncertainty ( situations that they feel they can’t control)

• Uncomfortable body feelings

• Situations where they imagine  being judged by others

Breaking the cycle of avoidance is key in treating anxiety. Exposure therapy is the best way to address avoidance. Please visit my resource page for a brief explanation of how exposure works.

Yes, absolutely. All sessions are strictly confidential, and I always follow professional ethical standards to protect your personal information and your story. Your privacy is deeply important to me.