Find Your Therapist

Each of us has two (or more) sides

My name, Samantha, means “the listener,” so perhaps it’s no surprise that I think therapists should be professional listeners.  Good counsel comes from listening.  You’re already the expert in your life.  My role is to listen to your unique story, and help you uncover the wisdom you already carry within.

To survive we need a hard shell, but we can’t be all shell, or we lose connection to our soft side — the part that allows us to connect deeply with ourselves and others.  Often our true selves are hard to access – for us and for those around us – because we develop defenses as we experience life’s challenges. I aim to help you figure out where you benefit from more resilience and where you benefit from more of your soft side.

I believe that safe and caring relationships are essential to growth. These may include relationships with other people, but also with animals, nature, and the land. If spending time outdoors, connecting with pets, or finding meaning in gardening or hiking feels like an important part of who you are, we may be a good fit.

As a woman with mixed European and Mi’kmaq indigenous heritage, I have adopted the Mi’kmaq concept of two-eyed seeing. From one eye, I see the importance of understanding ourselves from an intuitive place and connecting with our cultural and/or spiritual beliefs. I see equally well from the other eye and recognize the importance of understanding ourselves from a western-scientific psychological and evidenced based lens. My approach aims to balance and integrate these two perspectives.  I use an eclectic approach drawing from a range of therapeutic modalities including humanistic approaches, narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and solution focused therapy. I use an anti-oppressive, holistic and trauma and somatic informed lens.

About me

I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in counselling psychology to become a registered psychotherapist. I embarked on this career change journey after more than a decade working as a public servant in environmental protection. For the last seven years, I worked for the City of Guelph building relationships with diverse community members to build and maintain community gardens and restore natural spaces. This left me imbued with a sense of hope about the power of community, and the power of nature for healing and resiliency but also with a greater understanding of the needs for support in our community.

Life has also thrown several curve balls my way personally as I’ve gained lived experience with anxiety and depression, parenting, and supporting loved ones with serious mental illness. I wouldn’t be where I am today without therapeutic support that helped me to navigate these challenges, and this is where I draw my motivation to help others navigate similar challenges. I maintain balance in my life through engagement in diverse activities including reading, dancing, gardening, hiking, cooking and crafts.

As a mom to two kids, a lifelong dancer, and animal lover, I know first-hand how important embodied experiences and nature connections are for healthy development and resiliency. I am also interested in integrating these experiences into our therapy work, so please ask me if you’re curious and we can explore them together.

Art therapy is kind of a creative shortcut.  Without speaking much or at all, you can define, describe, or understand not only what pains you, but also what you want and how you can get it.  Most people haven’t even heard of art therapy, but it can give you intuitive, natural, and unique calmness and clarity.  My clients often notice a difference after or during the first session, and most people find that the more they do it, the more they enjoy and benefit from it.

You don’t need to be artistic at all to benefit from art therapy.  If that was the case, the world would not have many “tortured artists.”  If you can draw a smiley face or a stick figure, your art skills are more than enough.  Speaking of which, some other points you may not know about art therapy:

1. You don’t need to draw or paint.  You can, of course, but any medium is fine.  (During an initial consultation we can figure out what format you might like to start out with.)
2. Art therapy can benefit adults or kids (I can work with kids 8+).
3. It’s not silent.  We’ll speak a little bit, at least.
4. It’s not just for people who have a hard time “finding the words.”  Talkative, very articulate, or very cerebral people benefit from art therapy as much as anyone, partly because they often aren’t used to conveying anything with art.
5. We’ll ease into it.  We might start with a scribble or color association and see where that takes us.
6. You can pick the mixture of art therapy and talk therapy you like, from week to week or even within a session.  You’re not necessarily committing to one or the other.
7. As with “talk” therapy, you don’t need to prepare in any way.  All you need are your thoughts, and even those don’t need to be composed.
8. You can express any emotion you want.  The art can express anger, a peaceful mood, or just about anything else.
9. Art therapy is relaxing.  Research shows that creating art can engage the brain’s emotional centers, including the amygdala, which processes fear and stress, while also stimulating the vagus nerve and activating the parasympathetic nervous system – the part of the body that promotes calm and relaxation.  
10. Art therapy engages the senses and helps release stored trauma that words alone often cannot reach.  So, for one thing, you may find that you are very mellow after (or during) an art therapy session.
11. I (Jessie) may draw, compose, or otherwise create with you (if it makes you more comfortable), but I don’t need to. It’s 100% up to you.
12. I won’t critique your art (unless you want me to!), and you don’t need to explain it (unless you want to!). Art therapy is a completely non-judgemental space.
13. You don’t need to show anyone (even me) your art.  You can frame it and hang it in your living room, or never show it to another soul.  Whatever amount of sharing works for you. Whatever you choose, you will probably find that the mere process of creating art (or doodling!) helps get you closer to where you want to be.

Can you picture yourself giving art therapy a try?  If so, feel free to contact me to book a free 20-minute consultation.  We can meet here in Guelph or in an online setting.

About me

As you’ve probably gathered, I love art, but I’m also a wife, mother, and fellow traveller.  I enjoy jogging and camping, and am a work-in-progress at baking.

I’m Indigenous, and have a fairly good understanding of the many issues many First Nations people experience.

Some years ago I also sought therapy, though I hadn’t pictured myself ever wanting or needing it.  It ended up being very helpful, but it felt like a leap.  The point is: I know what it’s like in the other chair, and hope you feel free to express anything.

We don’t always get to control what happens in our life, however, we do have the choice to control how we allow challenging moments to impact our daily lives. My name is Kaylen Leonienco, and I am a Registered Social Worker. My main goal is to help individuals, including children (8 years +), teens, and adults, navigate life’s most challenging moments. I specialize in working with individuals experiencing grief/loss, those living with or caregiving for someone with a chronic/life-limiting illness, end of life, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and neurodivergent/ASD including support for parents.

My therapeutic approach is guided by Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness-Based Therapy from a strengths-based, trauma-informed lens.

I am currently accepting new clients and have availability to meet virtually, either by video or phone. I look forward to meeting you and together, discovering the support you are looking for.

Those with great empathy, like you, often struggle to balance everyone’s needs.  You balance others’ needs amazingly, and sometimes you get credit for it, but often that’s at the expense of your own needs.  Your needs also must factor in.

Caring for others as you do is both a blessing and a curse.  It’s more of a blessing, sure, but the guilt is profound.  The “guilt toll” gets you coming and going, in that you feel guilty even when (or especially when) you’re doing what’s right.  In so many of those cases you second-guess what is right and second-guess yourself.  It’s a difficult cycle to break.  Logic, your great strength, may not always help.

What has caused you to overdose on guilt lately?  It could be just about anything: the loss of a parent, needing to care for a family member, needing to take time to resolve depression, needing to spend more time or less time on a relationship, difficulties in step-parenting, difficulties in splitting up parental duties with your spouse, or the eternally tricky family relationships.

Though I can help with a wide range of challenges, if you’ve found me and you’ve read this far, guilt is probably a recurring theme in your life.  So, in a nutshell, I am here to help you feel less guilt about caring for yourself more.

I’m not here to tell you that whatever feels right is right, or that you should care less, or even that you shouldn’t feel guilt.  That tension is part of what makes you you.  Rather, I can help you maintain healthy levels or types of guilt, so that you can help others (as always) while moving your life in the direction you’d like.

Only you can care for yourself.  I’m just here to help you actually do it.

We can meet in-person here in Guelph, or in an online setting, or a little of each (whatever is more convenient for you).  Contact me to book a free 20-minute consultation.  I look forward to getting to know you.

My philosophy & approach to therapy

I work with adults and can help with depression, anxiety, grief, moral injury, dealing with overwhelming emotions, understanding why emotions surprise you, establishing better boundaries in personal and professional relationships, personality adaptations (more often referred to as personality disorders), relationship issues, and overcoming the impact of attachment trauma – to name a few challenges.

I am fascinated with human resilience and our capacity to learn, grow, and evolve.  Each of us has the inner wisdom required for that.  My goal as a psychotherapist is not to impose on you solutions that worked for other people but rather to help you discover solutions that work for you.  I bring to this process the knowledge of theory and you bring your knowledge of self and your life experiences.  Together we can explore how you would like your life to be different as a result of therapy and how to get there in a way that makes sense to you.  Depending on your view of therapy as a shorter or a longer process, we can concentrate on immediate symptom relief, a deeper exploration of issues, or both.  What matters is that what we do in therapy is aligned with your personal goals.

It’s important to use a therapeutic modality that is appropriate for what you are dealing with.  However, even more important (in my opinion) is that you feel truly heard.  I most often practice therapy using such modalities as acceptance commitment therapy, emotionally focused therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders, polyvagal-informed, as well as trauma- and grief-informed approaches.  I use them within the larger framework of attachment theory, which explores how early life experiences may have contributed to your view of self, others, and the world.  I believe that we do what we do for a reason, even if we no longer remember what that reason is or never truly became aware of it.  Awareness of what our behaviour accomplishes gives us a chance to become more intentional about it.

With couples, I bring to therapy psychobiological-approach-informed practices. This includes understanding of partners’ nervous systems as well as looking at a couple as one emotional biosphere where two people influence each other. It is also combined with understanding of partners’ attachment patterns and how they influence the relationship. I also appreciate the additional challenges involved in being parents in a step-family and can help you navigate those.

Are you seeking change in your life or relationships? I approach conversations that will promote self-awareness and deeper insights that can facilitate enduring personal growth and healthier relationships. My hope is that my questions will generate new understandings and perspectives that you can use for the rest of your life. I aim to create a comfortable space where you can share and strengthen your skills and resources.

I work with individuals looking to overcome obstacles, navigate difficulties, and foster self-growth. I help couples discover new patterns of being together while restoring intimacy, passion, and commitment. With families, my hope is to strengthen relationship bonds and better understand differences.

I utilize a systemic, trauma-informed approach to therapy with individuals, couples, and families. I work with a variety of concerns and challenges from multiple therapeutic models, including dialogic therapy, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, and integrative therapy. Selecting the right therapist is important and I would be happy to meet with you for a free 20-minute consultation so you can see if I am a fit for you.

If a carpenter ant were to walk into the room during one of our counselling sessions, here are some things it might hear (from you):

• “Wow, I didn’t expect to talk so much – I guess I have thought about these issues.”
• “You’re the first person I’ve ever told that to – I didn’t want to burden family or friends.”
• “A lot of things in my life are pretty good, so I just want to keep making steady progress.”

A few things the little ant would never hear (from me):

• “Why didn’t you see a therapist sooner?”
• “That’s a bad relationship.  You need to end it.”
• “I’ve already figured it all out for you: just do the following….”

Sometimes you just need one person you can share anything with.  You’re a deep thinker, but thinking about your emotions doesn’t come naturally.  Often you’re able to talk about what’s on your mind, but you don’t want to keep relying on family or friends, because you don’t want to max them out.  You’re a tough person, and you can handle tough times, but overload or a lack of balance has made daily life unnecessarily tough.

You’re not alone.  Many of my clients have a lot of questions about therapy, are skeptical of the process, and aren’t accustomed to asking for help.  My approach is to help you help yourself.  You just need to get your thoughts out, and haven’t been able to bring them up to anyone, for one reason or another.  With me you’ll find it is pretty easy to get a heavy thought off of your chest, and that things get easier once you’ve done so.

Many of our strengths and weaknesses are two sides of the same coin.  Great sensitivity, for instance, may make you an excellent friend, spouse, coworker, etc., but can also cause many things to stick in your craw.  A hard-charging work ethic may have produced your proudest achievements, but it also may mean you tend to put yourself last.  Examples like this are endless.  Everyone comes to therapy with a unique mix of challenges and strengths.  One way to describe my job is that I’ll help you figure out which strengths and challenges are “sold as a set,” and which challenges we can separate out and work on in a way that’s practical and doable.

My goal is to help you discover overlooked strengths that help you navigate the hard places in your life. Sometimes this means sharing specific skills and sometimes it means simply listening and reflecting as you share important stories.

I tailor my approach to your specific needs. There are many ways to heal and grow, and together we will find what works for you. Whether you’re experiencing grief/loss, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, OCD, difficult interpersonal relationships, or other challenges, I can help.

The same is true of couples, by the way.  Couples also have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, which are often difficult to parse.  With couples, I focus on building communication skills, while also focusing on the emotions that sit underneath areas of conflict and stress.

A few examples of challenges I can help you with:

• “What does it mean to me to be successful? What kind of person do I want to be?”
• “Why do I sometimes find it so hard to take care of myself instead of focusing on others?”
• “How can my partner and I navigate big changes, like kids leaving or retirement?”
• “How is my anxiety affecting my personal relationships?
• “How can I grieve appropriately, while still continuing to live life and take care of others and myself?
• “How do I create more boundaries that help me balance work life and my family?”

And many more.

With me you can share everything that is going on in your life.

If you choose to work with me, we can meet in-person in Guelph, or over the phone or Zoom.  Whenever or however we meet, I look forward to learning how you’re put together and how we can make the different parts work together more smoothly.

A bit about me and my background: I have been a psychotherapist since 2020. Before that I worked for several years in student services at the college and university level. Outside of the office, I enjoy riding my bike, and playing tennis & soccer.  If I am not outside, you might find me cooking or baking bread.

Having ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or Autism isn’t always a plus or always a minus.  It’s more like being left-handed when most people in society are right-handed and most products are made for right hands.  We are wired differently.  Everything can work well, but others occasionally need to adjust to us and we constantly need to adjust to them. 

By the way, when I say “we” and “us” I’m referring to the fact that I’m a therapist who also happens to be an ADHDer.  Along with being a woman, and identifying as queer, it’s one part of my identity.  Having ADHD or Autism doesn’t determine what kind of lives we lead, but you and I probably have experienced similar peaks and valleys.  We may both feel similar pressures to show up “neurotypically”, urges to move quickly from this task to that task, and challenges to pay attention to “little things” other people seem not to notice or care about. As with other types of neurodivergence, life with ADHD or Autism can be both rewarding and vexing.

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD or Autism or you consider it the closest thing to describing your state of mind and how you’re wired, I can offer my support.  You get to decide exactly what that help looks like: you’ll decide how you want to make sense of being an ADHDer or Autistic person, and what your goals are for living with it.  I am simply here to help with the “how,” using research, personal experience, and outside-the-box thinking to help get you there.

Why work with a counsellor who has ADHD, too?

You may be thinking, “I want help from someone who doesn’t have the same problems I do!”  Fair enough: everyone has a different type of therapist they click with best and you get to choose who is best suited for you. One thing to consider is that I have insider knowledge about neurodiversity precisely because I’ve walked in your shoes.  As someone who has been a business owner, business coach, and yoga instructor, I’ve learned to embrace my hyperfocus strengths while not being consumed by them.  You can do the same.

Without an understanding of how ADHD and Autism, we too often blame ourselves for things that aren’t our fault.  Too often we also fault ourselves when we’re not comfortable with things that are designed for people with brains organized a little differently from ours. Too often we force ourselves to live “neurotypically” without realizing we are hampering our strengths.

If ADHD isn’t all bad, why seek therapy for it?

One word: balance.  You’re not trying to eradicate your ADHD (it is a valid expression and experience) but certain aspects of it are creating genuine problems – perhaps at work, at school, among friends, or even when you’re by yourself.  You would like to navigate the challenges with more ease.

You may have noticed that I don’t list 14 different areas of practice here on my “bio” page: just this one.  Helping people navigate ADHD, Autism, and trauma is why I’m here, and why I wanted to become a therapist in the first place.

I can help you beat yourself up less, minimize the parts of ADHD or Autism that drive you crazy, and build on the parts of it that you consider strengths.

If being on the spectrum is just part of who you are, why consider therapy for Autism?

It’s hard to tell where people’s personalities, thought patterns, and mannerisms end and Autism begins.  Often they’re hard to distinguish from each other, especially to an outside observer.  Your cadence of speaking, the ways you “read” other people, the types of people you click with, and other moving parts are just part of who you are, as is the case with everyone else.

Generally, if you don’t find yourself thinking about Autism much, and mostly think about it when someone reminds you or infers that you’re “on the spectrum,” then you probably have little need for counselling.

On the other hand, if you find yourself thinking about Autism all the time and attributing certain challenges to it, it may be worth working with a counsellor who can help you untangle the plate of spaghetti. There are many strengths, and equally many challenges, to being Autistic in an Allistic (non-Autistic) world. We can work together to help you find your way through. 

Are your challenges deeper than ADHD or Autism?

Speaking of things to untangle: many people with ADHD or Autism tend to have experienced trauma.  The traumatic event(s) may have happened in early life, but the diagnosis (helpful or not) may have come later in childhood or even in adulthood.

Other people may have chalked up every issue (big or small) to ADHD or Autism, but you’ve always suspected that there’s much more to it than that.  You’re likely correct.

Often, my clients find that navigating their ADHD or Autism is an opening move, rather than the endgame.  If you want to make sense of your past, as a way of figuring out yourself, I’m here to help. If you have traumatic experiences that are hooking you into the past, we can work gently together to process them at your own pace.

What to expect as we work together

Understanding and navigating your ADHD or Autism is a process.  There may not be one moment when everything falls into place (though sometimes that happens, too), but there will be signs that we’re “clicking” together and that our approach is working out for you.  Here are some of the moments or milestones you may experience:

• Start feeling heard and understood, perhaps for the first time.
• Get a safe environment in which you can be yourself and not need to keep your uniqueness under wraps.
• Learn more about ADHD and Autism and make more sense of why you do what you do, and why you do it the way you do it.
• Learn more about yourself and ADHD through metaphor and examples.
• Start understanding your experiences as “normal” or normalized (i.e. therapy jargon for “it’s not your fault”)
• Identify your executive-functioning strengths and other strengths.
• Develop a genuine connection with a fellow traveller – someone who can lament with you and laugh with you about the same things.

One person can be both your therapist and your wingman.

In a therapist, you want someone who can help you figure out long-term fixes to long-time problems.  That person needs to be patient and methodical.  He or she should listen a lot and offer feedback at only the right times – and then listen some more.  (About 5 units of listening to every 1 unit of advice.)  That process is how your therapist comes to understand you, and how you’ll better understand yourself.

In a wingman, you want someone who can jump in and help you fix fixable problems now and ask questions later.  He’s someone you personally relate to and who relates to you.  He often knows exactly what you’re describing before you’re finished describing it.  He can help you regulate your emotions (“get a grip”), because he knows that when you’re thinking clearly you can figure out just about anything.

My clients often describe me as a “regular guy” who happens to be a therapist – maybe just not an archetypical one.  My basic approach to therapy (and everything else) is to work on both the short-term AND long-term problems, and at the pace you’d like.

What can I help with, and how?

If you’ve found any of the following to be a challenge in your life, you are likely looking for a relatable and comforting therapist:

• Grief, due to a sudden loss
• Family estrangement
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Growing up in a blended family
• Being a parent in a blended family
• “Culture shock” from within the blended family
• Enduring divorce as a child
• Enduring divorce as an adult
• Difficulty regulating emotions
• Attachment disorders
• Career changes – sudden and dramatic
• Children diagnosed with autism

Those are tough issues.  I know because I’ve experienced most of them, too.  I’ve never been sure that “misery loves company” (as the saying goes), but some pain is easier to understand and to navigate with company.  There’s a fine line to walk: You probably don’t want a therapist who’s never experienced pain that resembles yours, but you also don’t want a therapist who is still in the thick of it and has no capacity to discuss and help with what pains you.

In other words, therapy is a little easier if you don’t need to spend too much time explaining your concerns to your therapist.  You may want to describe your unique situation to your therapist, but you don’t necessarily want to go through all the basics.  Our challenges can be hard to explain to others or painful to relive.

The right therapist for you knows your obstacles well enough to know what parts you can’t control at all, what parts you can navigate around, and what parts you can change – and how. 

What pace would you like?

Whether you’d like our sessions to be slow and steady and productive, or intense and productive, I’ll follow your lead.

On the one hand, you may not want to go through 5 sessions of therapy before I “get it” and we can start discussing practical ways to heal the sore spots.  We can get to some action items early on, if you’d like.

On the other hand, sometimes you want to ease into things.  You may not want to get into hard-to-relive episodes from childhood or family history right away.  We can get into them if and when you’d like, or perhaps we won’t even need to.

I don’t have a silver-bullet solution to much, and neither does anyone else.  Progress will take time, no matter what, and usually it takes longer than anyone would like it to.  You get to decide exactly how much scenery we cover during each session.

Seeking support should not feel like accepting defeat. As a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), my intentions are to cultivate a therapeutic relationship which prioritizes dignity and autonomy. Situated in Guelph, Ontario, I offer a collaborative and empowering approach both in-person and virtually to reflect client needs.

A current Mental Health Therapist at Homewood Health Centre, with a strong background supporting adolescents and teens through the Victoria District School Board, Waterloo District School Board, and Grand River Hospital outpatient services. Optimizing an eclectic approach, I work collaboratively to explore strategies aimed at addressing anxiety, depression, behaviour/emotion regulation, self-esteem/self-worth, experienced trauma, self-injurious behaviours, relationship issues and beyond.

Proficient in practicing from multiple lens’ including cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness-based practice, solution focused, motivational interviewing and beyond. Using a client-centred and trauma informed approach, I strive to build connections based on trust, and understanding.

Recognizing that mental wellness is a fundamental right, I support clients from all walks of life.

I believe it is my lived experience which has complemented me with a non-judgemental approach to service. A down-to-earth person who enjoys outdoor recreation and leisure, sports, music, reading, mindfulness, exercise, and spending time with my partner and children. Whether you’re an adolescent, teen, or adult struggling with mental wellness, I believe that together we can identify and achieve your desired goals and outcomes to further reach your best authentic version of self.

If you’ve been thinking about therapy for a long time and are finally ready, or if you’ve tried several therapists before and don’t feel that much got resolved or clarified, then I may be the therapist for you.  If you’re looking to make steady progress, and take a series of “baby steps” that aren’t terrifying or hard to adapt to, then you and I are probably a good fit.

One might describe my approach as mellow.  Your daily life – work, family, etc. – already takes enough of a toll, and the last thing you need is another drain on your energy.  Learning about yourself doesn’t need to feel like a cliffhanger, and change doesn’t need to involve chaos.  

I saw the importance of this in the healthcare field, before I became a therapist.  As a psychotherapist in private practice, I am focused on mental well-being for women and men, postpartum issues, couples, families, sleep challenges, and grief and bereavement. I am also part of a consultation group on gender, identity and sexuality.

Early learning throughout our childhood can greatly affect how we manage later in life.  It shapes how we see ourselves, how we see others, and how we view the world and the choices we make. But exactly how long-ago events shaped YOU is not always so obvious. It is only by telling your story that we can figure it out.  I work from a person-centred approach and incorporate narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, CBT-I, mindfulness and brief solution focused therapy. Telling our stories of grief, pain, love and triumph can release the grip they may have on us, or build us up as we deserve.

You are the author of your present and future stories. Through our sessions, we can work together to discover your stories, make previous chapters a little easier to read, and make your next chapters your best yet. 

As a psychotherapist with 9 years of experience, I have grown to know that I have a passion for witnessing clients discover the values they cherish, and utilize those to achieve their goals. I know that people flourish in therapy and counselling when they have a good relationship with their therapist. I am devoted to creating and maintaining a safe, non-judgemental, calm, and sensitive therapeutic space in which you will receive appropriate support.

I am a registered psychotherapist and a registered marriage and family therapist who has worked in a variety of settings offering specialized support to individuals confronting unique circumstances. I utilize an integrative therapeutic approach drawing from multiple disciplines and modalities to offer clients a service tailored to each person or relationship.

I look forward to working with you.

Some of the concerns I often help clients on include: depression, anxiety, OCD, psychosis, trauma (of many kinds), self-endangerment, self-esteem, relationships, grief and loss, LGBTQ2S+, sexuality and gender identity, and more. Wherever you might be in the process of working through those issues (or others) is where we will pick up.

For 5+ years I have worked as a registered Social Worker in the field of mental health for five years. I have been fortunate enough to work with clients in various settings, including community mental health and private practice. It is a privilege to learn about and share in the journeys of others. I am passionate about providing hope and helping clients to reexamine limiting beliefs in a way that helps them achieve their goals.

I have extensive experience in supporting individuals with a wide range of mental wellness concerns using a client-centred and recovery-oriented approach, both in-person in Guelph and virtually (online). I use the Gottman Method, attachment theory, and emotion-focused therapy as my guiding framework for couples counselling – but you probably will not notice, because at root our sessions are a conversation between me and you. I try to keep it light and easy to discuss what is on your mind, while staying focused on your goals.

I look forward to getting to know you in a comfortable and non-judgmental space that allows us to work together on your challenges and help you find a sense of inner calm.

My approach to counselling

It’s hard for me to describe my approach to counselling, because I try to tailor it to your specific needs, personality, and story.  But I can touch on a few beliefs that (I hope) give you a sense of my philosophy:

– Therapy should be a space where you say what you don’t feel you can say anywhere else.  That may take some getting used to, but it’s an important understanding to develop.

– Laughter can be a strong medicine.  As one who used to do stand-up comedy, I know how much work it can be to get to a point where you can laugh a little, or at least crack a smile.  As one who has availed myself of therapy, I know how some therapists can be a “tough room” and make you feel self-conscious, despite the best of intentions.  My hope is to be an “easy room” where you can be yourself and not filter yourself.

– Empathy matters more than just about anything.  I’m told I have a high level of empathy, but I would say that is just another way to describe curiosity.  If I gloss over too many chapters of your life’s story, then of course some things won’t make as much sense.  That is why I hope to cover as many chapters as you would like to share, so we can figure out what the next chapters can be about.

– I operate in an anti-oppressive framework, in recognition of marginalized communities’ and individuals’ unique challenges.

Professional and educational background

My career began in crisis services for a crisis phone line and safe beds facility.  I then moved to providing case management for folks with dependencies and mental health issues. During this time I also worked for a walk-in counselling program. I did my MSW placement at a Friendship Centre and helped develop a program using both Western and traditional Indigenous approaches to care. I continued working with the Indigenous population alongside the healers and Elders on a part-time basis after my placement was completed.

I have a BA in Psychology, a Post-Grad Certificate in Concurrent Disorder, and a Masters of Social Work.

The first step is always the hardest, but it’s one we can take together.  I offer a warm, relaxed, non-judgemental approach to healing, no matter what your starting point is.

I am based in Guelph and offer in-person counselling.  I am a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist with over a decade of experience providing mental health counselling to children, teens, and young adults.  I identify as Queer.  In addition to my work at Spacious Mind Counselling, I also provide therapy and counselling to children and adolescents experiencing acute mental health crises at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener in their CAIP unit. My in-depth experience means I’m able to guide my clients confidently through the most challenging of issues.

I joined Spacious Mind Counselling with a goal of helping families and youth get ahead of problems or mitigate them before they spiral into crises.  

Youth and young adults may benefit from any of a variety of modalities, including cognitive behavioural therapy, collaborative and proactive solutions, brief-solution-focused therapy, dialectical behavior therapy skills, mindfulness, and crisis planning.

I can assess whether there is a larger mental health difficulty contributing to a youth’s struggles. That is important if the youth may be struggling with undiagnosed conditions such as ADHD, autism, OCD, or serious mental health issues. I believe it’s important to coordinate my efforts as a therapist with families’ efforts, and that parents are an integral part of child and youth mental health treatment.

In my spare time I enjoy parenting my 3 children, playing rugby, skiing, hiking with my lab, gardening, and exercising.

My Approach to Therapy

I believe you (my client or possible future client) to be the expert in your own life, and I am the passenger on your road to healing. As a passenger, it’s not my place to howl at you to turn left or slow down.  But I will keep you company, I will help you navigate, and I will point out stop signs and animals running into the road.

If you want hard advice delivered hard, you might prefer a different style of counselling.  However, if you are looking for a low-pressure therapist, you may find my approach to be just right.  If you feel life is spinning around so quickly that you can’t make choices in the way you want to, I can help you calm things down enough for you to make the best choices for you. Clients I’ve worked with like that I welcoming, positive, and inviting, and that I understand their stories without judgement.  Many feel a greater sense of empowerment and freedom of choice.  I gear therapy and treatment based on your unique goals and realities.

A description of my approach for other therapists or people who prefer “therapyspeak” might go something like this: I apply different theoretical lenses to assist in understanding a client’s experience and provide them with the guidance of exploring their story at their own pace.

My current approach utilizes an eclectic style, where I view my client through a variety of different lenses to help make meaning of their challeneges and experiences. Specifically, I have developed a deep appreciation for person-centered approaches, I incorporate a holistic view of health, and I understand the therapeutic effects that come from narrative approaches in telling one’s story. Furthermore, I have experience and training in acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness techniques, cognitive behavioural interventions, and motivational interviewing. In developing a supportive relationship with my clients, I encourage effective communication that enhances a person to shape their understanding of their sense of self and empower them to take action through transformative moments where vulnerability is encouraged through a safely balanced medium.

Education and Professional Background: Currently, I am in pursuit of a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology, with the goal of becoming a registered psychotherapist. In reflecting on my professional development, my interest in helping others began with my involvement in the not-for-profit sector in my early education. That experience allowed me to develop deep empathy for the experiences of others and was profoundly touched by the resilience I observed in many despite adversity. It was then I knew that helping others was not only a passion of mine, but also one where I was dedicated to helping make important changes for individuals and for the wider community at large. My professional experience has included working in front-line crisis and support through the shelter system in Hamilton for women and children, and being a part of numerous community initiatives specializing in public health and community education. These experiences have allowed me to enhance my experience in a trauma-informed approach to counselling and to understand the many intersections of health that affect individuals on a daily basis.

Personal Interests: I was born and raised in Guelph, and always seek for new adventures and opportunities. I spend the majority of my summer in Wasaga Beach and have developed a deep appreciation of life on the water. Weather it is with my partner, family or friends, I enjoy the time I get to spend with them. I am a fan of hosting late-night board game get-togethers; I can be quite competitive! I am an avid foodie and love to cook and challenge myself with different cuisines. Throughout the pandemic, I developed my sushi-making skills and often treat my family to a sushi night dinner. I enjoy the simple things of life, and actively practice self-reflection and self-care for my own wellbeing. In staying connected with my roots of not-for-profit work, I actively volunteer and give back to my community where I can.

I am a registered psychotherapist specializing in individual, couples and family therapy and the owner/clinical director of Spacious Mind Counselling. I am trained and experienced in the delivery of online therapy for the past ten years.

I believe you are the expert in your life and even though you may not know it, you have all the answers within you. Unfortunately sometimes life can make accessing these answers difficult. Trauma, mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, work, family, and relationship pressures can all impact our ability to connect to peace and happiness.

I have found through personal experience that talking to a trained professional in psychotherapy who is kind, caring, non judgmental and emotionally attuned can support the process of being able to listen to ourselves and work towards living a life that is free of suffering. I am passionate about providing quality therapy to people I work with.

I was born in Ireland and qualified initially as a mechanical engineer. I became interested in psychotherapy through personal growth and engagement in my own journey. It was following a significant crisis due to overworking, anxiety and low self esteem that I decided to engage in personal therapy 15 years ago. I benefited so much from therapy that I decided to study it formally. This led me to gaining a masters in community work with an honours bachelors degree in psychotherapy and becoming a registered psychotherapist.

I moved to Canada in 2014 and have been lucky enough to study with leaders in the field of psychotherapy. I have found therapy helpful in my own life to manage symptoms of depression, compulsive behaviours and anxiety which has led to increased happiness, less reactive habits and improved personal relationships. I am grateful to be able to teach these skills to the people I work with.

I have worked in the areas of mental health and family services for over ten years. I have trained internationally in several areas of humanistic and integrative psychotherapy including dialectic behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, narrative therapy, emotionally focused therapy, motivational interviewing, family systems therapy, couples therapy and gestalt therapy. The type of therapy that was a significant game changer for me however was MiCBT. Although it required more personal work, it reaped greater peace and calmness of mind than other modalities and is now part of my daily routine and greatly informs my work.