Decolonized Healing
Therapy grounded in Indigenous wisdom
Long before the colonization of Turtle Island (now known as North America), Indigenous peoples understood how to live a good life, or Mino-Bimaadiziwin. Through Anishinaabe teachings, communities were guided on how to honour themselves and all of creation so that we could all walk harmoniously on this Earth together.
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Although colonization and genocide attempted to erase Indigenous culture, the resiliency of Indigenous peoples has carried forward important ancestral wisdom. The Western world is beginning to recognize the strengths of Indigenous wisdom, and thus as an act of reconciliation, we must gather, protect, and empower Indigenous knowledge, which can help all of us to heal.
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Decolonized healing recognizes that there are barriers within the Western mental health system that not only impede healing, but that may also be re-traumatizing. A decolonized approach attempts to think "outside-the-box" by considering an individual's unique needs when they are seeking help, and reducing barriers to getting the help they need.
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In my therapy practice, I utilize a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, which blends together the strengths of Indigenous and Western ways of knowing. Some of the decolonized approaches that may show up in our therapy include:
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Therapy will consider our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual selves, because wellness is wholistic.
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Treatment will be culturally informed. No matter your culture or religion, therapy will consider your personal beliefs and values, and may invite a cultural leader to support your healing journey.
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Nature is an important aspect of healing, and when possible, sessions can take place outdoors.
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You are the expert of your own healing. My role is to walk alongside you in your journey, but I will not lead the way.
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Healing should be accessible. If there are any barriers to you seeking help, I am interested in hearing about these so that I can help you navigate them.
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Contact me to learn more about decolonized and culturally-informed healing!
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CHOOSING THERAPY
We are all shaped by our experiences, and while we cannot change our past, we have the power to influence our future.
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I am here to help you understand how your past experiences may be influencing your present-day problems, and to help you untangle your trauma to grow into your best self.
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When you choose to come to therapy, you may be seeking help to address a problem in your life, or you are simply wishing to deepen your understanding of yourself. Whatever your goals, I am here to guide you to the best path forward.
Together, we may work to:
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Understand the root causes of your problems and untangle yourself from trauma
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Enhance your connection to your emotional experience and learn to manage triggers
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Achieve wholistic wellness by finding balance in all areas of your life
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Develop new ways of thinking about yourself and your issues
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Increase compassion towards yourself and others
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Set boundaries and develop healthy communication skills
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Deepen your relationship with yourself and others
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Recognize your basic needs and understand yourself from an evolutionary perspective
Areas of Focus
I am a Registered Social Worker (MSW/RSW) offering individual and group therapy.
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I specialize in providing trauma-focused therapy to help you understand the root causes of the problems in your life.
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I work most with teenagers, parents of young children, and adults.
Although I can help you navigate a range of issues, my primary areas of specialty include:
Treatment for Complex Trauma, Developmental Trauma, Attachment Wounds, or PTSD
Trauma
Therapeutic support for survivors of recent and historic sexual abuse
Sexual Abuse
Assessment and treatment for youth who have sexually offended,
or for adults with concerning sexual thoughts or behaviours.
Problematic Sexual Behaviours
Recognize how anxiety shows up in your life. Develop tools to shift your thinking to manage anxiety and build confidence.
Anxiety and Self-Esteem
Develop tools in communication and setting boundaries to improve your relationships
Healthy Relationships & Consent
Understand and manage your triggers, and process feelings in a healthy way.
Emotional and/or Behavioural Regulation
Parental coaching to manage behavioural concerns and to support your child's healthy development
Parent Coaching
Understand the root of your anger and process it in healthy, adaptive ways
Anger Management
Reconnect with your sense of self, build motivation, and find meaning in life
Loss of Purpose and Meaning
What to Expect from Therapy
Your healing journey is unique.
When we work together, I will start by learning about your goals and how you hope therapy can help. I will explore the tools that are already helping you, and help you to identify any areas of need.
My role is to offer a different perspective into your situation and help guide you to make choices that feel right for you. Therapy can help you to gain insight and notice blind spots to help you grow.
My perspective is guided by a range of therapeutic modalities, which will show up as we work together. Some of these include:
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Indigenous Wisdom for Healing Trauma
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Mindfulness
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Internal Family Systems (IFS)
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Somatic Therapy (Mind-Body Connection)
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Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT)
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Evolutionary Psychology
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Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)
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Cognitive Behavioural (CBT)
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Motivational Interviewing (MI)
The Therapeutic Relationship
One of the most important parts of therapy is feeling connected to your therapist, so I work to create a safe, non-judgemental and compassionate space for you to open up.
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I want you to get the most from our time together, and I will seek feedback from you along the way to ensure your needs are getting met.
Location
We can meet at my office at 4939 Dundas St. W in Etobicoke, found inside of Hands on Health Family Chiropractor.
I also offer services virtually across Ontario.
FEES
My fees range from $100-190/hour, based on a “pay what you can afford” model. If $190/hour is feasible for you, a portion of your rate will help me to offer a subsidized rate to others. My suggested rate for hourly therapy is $150 for those who have a steady income but limited insurance.
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My services are covered by most insurance plans, including NIHB. Check if your benefits offers coverage for Registered Social Work (RSW/MSW).
Please let me know what rate feels more affordable and would allow you to attend therapy as regularly as you need. If $100/hour for therapy is inaccessible to you, please contact me as I may be able to offer lower or no cost therapy.
