Philosophy 

Every therapist has a "theory of change."  It's essentially a matrix of beliefs or understandings about the nature of change in peoples' lives. Our theory of change guides how therapists understand our clients' troubles and our approach to helping.  It's a philosophy of how positive change can happen and an understanding about how disconnect and feelings of not-rightness and distress enter our lives. 

My belief about the nature of dis-ease and a return to easeful living is that within each of us is a spark of Genius.  The Genius is unflappable and unalterable.  It is always there inside us, like a heart beat.  The Genius contains all the information we need to know ourselves, to become ourselves and to chart a life-course that is satisfying to our unique needs, experiences and circumstances.    For many of us, though, the Genius is buried or dimmed by the circumstances of life. 

This internal spark can be affected in so many ways:  our mental health status, early childhood experiences (parents with mental health issues, early loss of a parent, divorce, undiagnosed learning disabilities, inattentive or overly authoritarian households and more), poverty, racism, systemic oppressions, gender-based violence, homophobia, abuse, a move to a new country, changes in our physical or financial health and more.   Sometimes it can feel that our internal spark has gone out completely and we are lost. 

My belief is that the Genius spark never goes out.  One of the ways to reconnect with our internal Genius is through therapy.  I primarily connect with my clients by inviting the inner Genius to emerge and respectfully noting where it has been dimmed.   There are many constraints on our behaviour and connection including culture, history, religion, social norms, family norms.  However, there is always a place of rich self-expression within these constraints.  We just need to uncover them!

Let's figure it out together.  

I'll offer my insights and non-judgement and learning, and you bring your willingness to explore your own unique Genius.  

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and rightdoing there is a field.
I’ll meet you there..."

-Rumi