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1. Getting to know you
a. What first drew you to the field of mental health / therapy?
I’ve always been interested in what leads people to make certain decisions and act in certain ways, so I knew a career in a “people” field was in my cards. I was initially drawn to mental health and therapy after completing a SPA (sociology, psychology, and anthropology) class in high school that introduced me to the field of mental health. I then took these courses in university and found myself especially drawn to psychology after enrolling in abnormal psychology and positive psychology courses.
I learned about all the factors that can impact the way a person perceives the world and acts within it, from both an inhibitory and excitatory standpoint, which I found fascinating. With this knowledge, I knew I wanted to help people gain a better understanding of themselves and allow them to move closer to how they want to act and what they want to achieve.
b. What has surprised you most about becoming a therapist so far?
I’ve surprised myself with my own ability to take feedback. Therapy requires frequent supervision and the ability to take criticism and feedback, which is something I initially dreaded because I’m someone who tends to care about other people’s opinions of me. However, in supervision, I was surprised by how little I personalized any feedback. This allowed me to focus on growing my skills through confident practice.
c. Outside of therapy, what do you love doing?
I love hiking with my dog, Peanut. The conservation trails near my home offer a variety of challenges that keep both me and Peanut entertained. I also find hiking to be very grounding.
I also love to read, usually fiction novels, because it gives me a chance to take a break from reality and stay imaginative. I love video games for the same reason.
d. What's something that keeps you grounded on hard days?
Yoga and mindfulness are two things that help keep me grounded. I like to treat my body to relaxation through a calming yoga practice. Mindfulness helps me slow down my mind as well by allowing me to take a bigger perspective. Outside of myself, my dog, Peanut, helps me not take things too seriously and encourages me to live in the present moment, as well as be grateful for the positives I do have.
e. Is there a moment in your training so far that's really stuck with you?
One moment in my training that really stuck out to me was my first instance of countertransference. This experience demonstrated how impactful my own experiences can be when it comes to the support I provide to my clients. With the support of my supervisor, I was able to identify how my own feelings and past experiences were acting as a barrier in the session and prevent them from impeding the care I give to my clients.
2. Approach to the work
a. What is your favourite modality to work with, and why?
Cognitive behavioural therapy is my favourite modality. I’m someone who likes structure and challenge, and those are two things that cognitive behavioural therapy is based on. The modality gives me a plan while also being easily adaptable to most clients. CBT gives everyone something they can take away and implement. This adaptability makes CBT a good starting point for both me and the client.
b. What's your philosophy on therapy and what do you want clients to feel or know?
It’s been said before, but I really do believe that everyone can benefit from therapy. I believe this is because the positive connection and empathetic relationship between the therapist and client is something everyone can benefit from, even more so than the modalities being used.
I want clients to know that how they feel in-session matters and that finding the right therapist fit is important to the overall outcomes they receive. I also want clients to know that they have the power to shape the session and end the session if they want to, because their experience is what matters most.
c. What areas are you most passionate about, both in practice and in research?
One area I am passionate about regarding mental health is the mind-body connection. The way our thoughts and feelings can impact our physical health is important to understand and explore. This connection ties into my all-encompassing approach to mental health, meaning that both physical and mental health should be considered and addressed to improve overall well-being.
d. Is there a population or issue you feel especially drawn to working with?
I have always been drawn to supporting individuals experiencing anxiety in its many forms. As I previously mentioned, I am very interested in understanding how an individual’s thoughts can shape their actions, and I often find that individuals with anxiety are held back by their thoughts.
Together with the client, we get to explore these unhelpful thoughts and start to understand and challenge them, gaining control and reducing anxiety.
e. What does a "good session" look like to you?
I don’t think there is a clear-cut way to describe what a good session looks like, because this will depend on the client and their goals. And really, my opinion on what a good session looks like matters very little when the focus is on the client’s experience.
With that being said, a “good session” would maybe be one that leaves the client feeling like they have taken one inch, one step, or one leap closer to their goal.
3. Learning and influences
a. Who are some people in the mental health field you look up to?
Having a background in addictions work, Gabor Maté is someone in the mental health field I look up to based on his take on individuals’ experiences with addiction. Gabor relates addiction to trauma in that addiction usually stems from a need to numb the hurt that has been caused by trauma. He asks questions like, “Why addiction?” and “How does addiction serve an individual?”
These questions tie into my interest in understanding how thoughts and feelings impact behaviour. This approach also allows the individual to be the expert in their own story, which is a stance I try to take in-session as well.
b. Any favourite books (clinical or otherwise) that have shaped how you think about this work?
Especially during my schooling, Brené Brown’s book The Gifts of Imperfection discussed vulnerability, shame, and worthiness in a way that fostered acceptance, compassion, and growth within myself as both a person and a therapist.
There is no “perfect solution,” and our imperfections, although they can clash with society’s expectations and our own expectations, have merit and allow us to be authentic. Brené encourages discussions around shame and vulnerability to build compassion, and I intend to extend this compassion to my clients who may be experiencing shame and haven’t yet fostered the self-compassion we are all entitled to as imperfect humans.
c. Has anything from your practicum experience changed how you thought therapy would go?
Having worked in the mental health field prior to practicum, I feel I had grounded and realistic expectations for how therapy would go.
4. For the future client
a. What would you want someone to know before their first session with you?
I would want someone to know that they’re coming to a supportive, nonjudgmental place where they have more control and knowledge than they may realize. I will never push a client past their capacity, and my therapy approach is more collaborative than directive.
b. What's one thing you wish more people understood about therapy?
I wish that more people understood that therapy is not just for big problems. Therapy can be for crisis stabilization, day-to-day stress, or maintenance to make sure things stay where they’re at. Therapy is highly adaptable in that it can fit into any stage of life or culture to address nearly all concerns.
I also wish that more people understood that therapy is collaborative. It’s not someone telling you how to think or act. It is someone who is there to hear your experience and give you the tools to shape that experience into what you want it to be, and it’s your choice which tools you use to make that happen.
c. If someone's nervous about starting therapy, what would you say to them?
Taking the first step and going to therapy is hard, and you might not find the perfect fit on the first try. But if you can imagine your ideal therapist and experience, you will find it, and the effort you put into the process will be worth the result.
