My Counselling Approach

My philosophy of practice is heavily influenced by strengths-based, collaborative, and response-based orientations. Combining multiple counselling theories in my work, I regularly draw on psychodynamic, Somatic Experiencing, solution-focused, narrative therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, and systems theory. At the core of my philosophy is a belief that you are the expert in your life, even when you may feel like you aren’t sure how you got to where you are, or about what steps to take next.

You can read more about the counselling theories I use on my ‘resources’ page.

I also work largely from a social justice perspective. I believe that we cannot truly understand our capacities, strengths, and challenges, without a good understanding of the relationship between us and the daily social structures (such as social norms, stereotypes, and laws) that we exist within. Though social structures may be helpful and supportive, they can also lead to inequality and injustice, such as when a person faces judgment, discrimination, or unfairness at school, in their family or job, or in society in general. These experiences can be painful and complicated to navigate, leaving a person feeling isolated and misunderstood.  

If you’d like to know more about social justice counselling, please follow the links on my ‘resources’ page.