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Our Team
Florina Psychotherapy is led by a multidisciplinary team committed to culturally informed, trauma-aware, and relationship-centred care. Our clinicians and leadership bring together lived experience, clinical training, and deep respect for the diverse communities we serve.
MALIGNE BRUNI
Pronunciation: ma-leen
Founder & Clinical Director
MACP, RP (Qualifying), BAHSA, LPN
Currently Not Accepting Clients
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Master of Counselling Psychology (Honours)
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Bachelor of Human Services Administration (Distinction)
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Licensed Practical Nurse Diploma
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Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
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Licensed Practical Nurse, College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta
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Adults
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Seniors
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Couples
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Group therapy participants
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Addictions and substance use
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Eating disorders and body image concerns
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Grief and loss
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Relationship challenges, including building healthy relationships and boundaries
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Cultural identity and intergenerational experiences
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Frontline worker stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue
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Self-worth, self-esteem, and inner healing
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Maligne has always felt a strong calling toward helping others. With over a decade of experience in nursing, she has supported individuals across hospitals, clinics, and community settings, working within specialty medicine, surgery, addictions, and eating disorders.
Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Maligne grew up in a multigenerational Filipino household. As a second-generation Filipino Canadian, she deeply values family and community while also understanding the quiet tension of navigating life between cultures.
Over ten years ago, during her own search for a therapist, Maligne noticed a lack of representation among mental health professionals. This experience became a driving force behind her work — inspiring Filipinos, BIPOC, and other marginalized individuals to pursue leadership and careers in mental health, while helping create therapeutic spaces where everyone feels seen, respected, and supported.
Her personal journey with self-image and an eating disorder further shaped her approach to therapy. Through her own healing, Maligne came to understand that true worth lies not in appearance, but in character, connection, and compassion. She lives by the belief: “Our greatest legacy is the way we touch the hearts of others, not the way we look.”
Today, Maligne blends clinical knowledge, lived experience, and empathy to walk alongside clients with care and intention.
Outside of work, she enjoys creating cozy spaces, exploring coffee, tea, and bubble tea spots, hiking, and spending time outdoors. She previously played soccer as a defensive player and has recently discovered a love for pickleball. She also enjoys quiet evenings at home with her dog, Romeo.
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Master of Counselling Psychology (In Progress - 2027
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Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Business Administration
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Professional Management Certification
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Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
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Children (6+)
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Adolescents and teens
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Young adults
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Adults
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Anxiety and stress
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Depression and low mood
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Grief and loss
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Life transitions and major changes
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Relationship challenges
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Self-esteem and identity concerns
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Emotional overwhelm
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Serena has always felt drawn to helping others and to hold space, listening deeply, and walking alongside people through life’s harder moments. Her work comes from a genuine desire to support others in feeling seen, understood, and less alone. She believes healing begins when people feel safe enough to share their stories, and she considers it a privilege to be trusted with that vulnerability.
Serena’s journey into this work has been shaped by both personal and professional experiences, as well as witnessing how powerful it can be when someone finally feels heard. She is passionate about creating spaces where individuals can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and explore what they are carrying with care and compassion.
In her work, Serena strives to offer a warm, grounded, and supportive environment where clients do not need to have everything figured out. Her therapeutic approach is collaborative and gentle — a space where vulnerability and strength can coexist, and where growth unfolds at a pace that feels safe and meaningful for each person.
Outside of therapy, Serena values spending time with loved ones, staying active, and finding moments of calm that help her remain grounded. She gently encourages clients to cultivate these same grounding practices in their own lives.
Eskay Ilori
Pronunciation: S-K
Educational Consultant
MACP, CCC, Registered Provisional Psychologist
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Masters of Counselling Psychology
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Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geology
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Canadian Certified Counsellor, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
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Registered Provisional Psychologist, College of Registered Psychologists of Alberta
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Eskay believes that therapy is not primarily about technique, but about encounter. Technique provides structure; relationship provides healing. His approach is deeply relational, influenced by his mentor Irvin Yalom, who emphasized that the most important instrument brought into the room is not theoretical orientation, but the therapist’s authentic self.
He conceptualizes his work through an existential framework. Rather than searching for meaning on behalf of his clients, he engages with them in a collaborative meaning-making process. Therapy becomes a shared exploration of what it means to be human—to suffer, to love, to lose, and to choose. For Eskay, the questions often matter more than the answers. Uncertainty is not something to eliminate, but something to hold and bear together.
To support this process, he integrates a range of modalities. He draws on Narrative Therapy to help clients author new stories, Internal Family Systems (IFS) to understand and befriend their internal parts, EMDR to access and reprocess what the body holds, attachment-based work to explore relational patterns, and somatic approaches to honor the wisdom of the body. He views these modalities not as competing frameworks, but as different doors into the same room of a client’s lived experience.
In his work with therapists-in-training, Eskay creates a space where emerging clinicians can examine not only what they do in the room, but who they are in the room. Together, they explore edges, gifts, fears, and growing capacities—not as problems to fix, but as the raw material of professional and personal development.
His goal is to help therapists become more fully themselves, trusting that the authentic self, when brought consciously into the therapeutic space, is the most powerful tool they will ever have.
If one is ready to engage in this depth of work, Eskay would be honored to walk alongside them as a fellow traveler.
MATTEO BRUNI
Pronunciation: mah-tay-oh
Operations & Clinic Manager
High School Science Teacher | B.Ed., B.Sc.
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Bachelor of Science — Major in Biology, Minor in Psychology
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Bachelor of Education — Major in Biology, Minor in Physical Sciences
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Matteo brings over eight years of experience in education, with a strong foundation in psychology that informs his approach to leadership, operations, and relationship-building. He believes that safe, supportive environments are built through trust, communication, and strong interpersonal connections.
Throughout his teaching career, Matteo has worked across the K–12 public education system, supporting students from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. His work has involved close collaboration with counsellors, therapists, psychologists, and learning support teams to address students’ academic and emotional needs.
For the past five years, he has taught high school and currently facilitates General Psychology courses for Grades 10 and 11, further strengthening his understanding of mental health, development, and systems of care.
Outside of work, Matteo stays active through sports, particularly soccer, which he continues to enjoy despite past injuries. He coaches his school’s Senior Boys Soccer team, trains for marathons, and enjoys hiking, golfing, and cycling with his dog, Romeo.
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Masters of Counselling Psychology in Progress 2026
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Bachelor of Arts General (Psychology) honours
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Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
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Youth
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Young Adults
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Adults
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Grief and Loss (including death, breakups, and identity transitions)
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ADHD and neurodiversity
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Anxiety and stress management
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Life transitions and personal growth
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Trauma-Informed Counselling
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Strength-Based & Narrative Approaches
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Existential Therapy (meaning-making, identity exploration)
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I believe therapy should be a space where you can show up exactly as you are—without judgment, pressure, or the expectation that you need to have everything figured out.
With over three years of experience in addictions recovery and trauma-informed care, I’ve had the privilege of supporting people through some of life’s most difficult and uncertain moments. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in compassion. I want you to feel heard, respected, and empowered to move forward at a pace that feels right for you.
I also recognize that our mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Stigma, systemic barriers, marginalization, and our life experiences can all shape how we experience ourselves and how easily we can access support. I strive to understand the bigger picture of what you’re carrying rather than viewing your challenges in isolation.
I believe healing is not a straight line. There may be setbacks, unexpected turns, and days when simply getting through feels like enough. That doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human. I approach each person with compassion, accountability, and deep respect for their autonomy, because you deserve to have a voice in your own healing.
I have experience supporting individuals navigating grief and loss—including the loss of a loved one, relationship breakups, and identity transitions—ADHD, anxiety, self-discovery, emotional regulation, and major life transitions.
Together, we can explore what’s happening beneath the surface while building practical tools that you can actually use in your everyday life. My approach combines strengths-based strategies with practical, skill-building tools to help you develop greater emotional regulation, resilience, confidence, and trust in yourself.
You don’t have to know exactly what you need before starting therapy. We can figure that out together.
Outside of the therapy room, I’m usually listening to music, playing video games, going for long walks, spending time with my family, or finding ways to stay connected with my community.
I bring that same curiosity, authenticity, and sense of connection into my work. I believe therapy can be a place for hard conversations, but also a place where you can discover your strengths, make sense of your experiences, and reconnect with the person you are becoming.
Wherever you are in your journey, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
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Master's of Counselling Psychology (In Progress)
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Bachelor of Arts Major in Psychology, Minors in French and English
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Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
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Memberships with the Canadian Sports Psychology Association (CSPA), the Association for Applied Sports Psychology (AASP), and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
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Youth (10+)
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Adolescents and teens
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Young Adults
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Adults
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Athletes & Performers
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Caregivers & Family Members of Special Needs Individuals
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Performance pressure and performance culture
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Identity development and self-concept
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Perfectionism and burnout
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Life transitions in youth and young adults
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Caregiver stress, family dynamics, and advocacy within neurodivergent and support system
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
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Somatic
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Narrative Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Internal Family Systems (IFS)
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I’ve always been curious about people—how we think, how we make sense of our experiences, and what shapes the person we become. I believe that feeling truly understood can be powerful, and I strive to create a space where you can show up as you are, feel heard, and explore what matters most to you.
My background as an Educational Assistant has shaped the way I work with others. I’ve learned that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting someone. I value patience, flexibility, and meeting people where they are, adapting my approach to honour each person’s unique strengths, needs, and experiences. Building genuine connections is at the heart of what I do.
My connection to athletes and performers is also personal. After unexpectedly leaving sport, I found a new sense of joy and identity through the performing arts—singing, musical theatre, choirs, and festivals. These experiences taught me how deeply our identities can be connected to the things we do, the communities we belong to, and the dreams we pursue. They also gave me a deeper appreciation for the emotions that can come with pressure, change, comparison, uncertainty, and starting over.
I’m particularly passionate about working with youth (10+), adolescents, and young adults, as well as athletes, performers, and families navigating neurodivergence. I’m especially interested in supporting individuals as they explore identity, body image, performance pressure, burnout, transitions, and emotional well-being.
I believe growth doesn’t always look like having everything figured out. Sometimes, it looks like slowing down, asking different questions, understanding yourself a little more deeply, or simply having someone beside you while you navigate what comes next.
Outside of my professional life, you’ll usually find me discovering small live music venues, staying connected to the arts, planning my next trip, exploring local coffee shops, or spending time with my dog, Drew.
You don’t have to have it all figured out before you reach out. Sometimes, the first step is simply having a place where you can begin.
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Master of Counselling Psychology in Progress 2026
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Bachelor of Social Science
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Law Clerk Diploma
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Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
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Membership with Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
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Teens (16+)
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Young Adults
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Adults
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Anxiety
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Self Esteem Challenges
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Time Management Difficulties
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Stress & Burn out
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Major Life Transitions such as graduate studies, career changes, breakups, separations, divorces, those who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain about what comes next.
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Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which she integrates in a practical, flexible, and individualized way to support meaningful, values-driven change.
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I believe that our relationships and experiences can shape the way we see ourselves, connect with others, and move through the world. I’m especially attuned to the impact that relational stress and trauma can have on our emotional well-being, relationships, and sense of self. I approach my work through a trauma-informed lens, with compassion, curiosity, and an understanding that there is often more beneath the surface than what we see.
My approach to therapy is person-centred, collaborative, and grounded in empathy. I want therapy to feel like a space where you can take a breath, let your guard down, and show up as your authentic self—without judgment or the pressure to have everything figured out.
I believe you are the expert in your own life. My role isn’t to tell you who you should be or what you should do. Instead, I’m here to walk alongside you, helping you better understand yourself, explore patterns that may no longer be serving you, and develop tools that feel meaningful and realistic for your life.
Together, we can work toward greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, healthier relationships, and a stronger sense of self-trust. I believe meaningful change doesn’t have to happen all at once. Sometimes, it starts with feeling safe enough to be honest, curious enough to explore, and supported enough to take the next step.
Above all, I want my clients to feel that therapy is a place where they don’t have to perform, pretend, or have all the answers. You can simply come as you are.
Outside of the therapy room, you’ll usually find me spending time with my fiancé, doting on my dog, or connecting with my extended family—often over good food, plenty of laughter, and the occasional loud family gathering.
Those relationships mean a lot to me, and I bring that same warmth, relatability, and lightness into my work with clients. I believe therapy can hold space for the difficult things while still making room for hope, humour, connection, and the parts of life that bring us joy.
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Master of Counselling Psychology in Progress 2027
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Bachelor's degree in psychology
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Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) (pending) with Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
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Youth (10+)
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Adolescents and teens
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Young Adults
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Adults
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Neurodiversity
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Anxiety & Stress
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Depression & Burnout
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Emotional Regulation
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Self-Esteem & Confidence
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Identity Exploration
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Friendship & Relationship Challenges
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Parent & Caregiver Support
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School-Related Concerns
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Life Transitions
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Social Skills & Communication
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Coping Skills Development
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Strengths based
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I believe therapy should be a space where you feel genuinely heard, understood, and accepted as you are. I approach counselling with warmth, curiosity, and compassion, recognizing that each person brings their own experiences, strengths, relationships, and ways of making sense of the world.
Before beginning my training as a counsellor, I spent several years working with neurodiverse children, youth, and their families across a variety of support settings. In these roles, I supported individuals with developmental differences and diverse needs in both structured and day-to-day environments. In this work, I had the opportunity to build relationships with young people and their families, support emotional and behavioural regulation, and collaborate with other professionals to help create consistent and supportive care plans. These experiences deepened my understanding of how differently each child and family can experience the world, and how important it is to approach each situation with flexibility, patience, and genuine curiosity rather than assumptions.
Over time, I became especially interested in how identity, communication styles, sensory needs, and environment can all shape a person’s experience of stress, connection, and learning. This work strongly influenced my decision to pursue counselling and shaped the values I bring into my practice today. It reinforced for me the importance of meeting each person where they are, taking the time to understand their unique perspective, and adapting support in a way that honours their individual strengths and needs rather than relying on a single, standardized approach.
My approach to therapy is collaborative and strengths-based, grounded in the belief that you are the expert in your own life. I aim to understand not only what you may be struggling with right now, but also your strengths, relationships, experiences, and the different factors that have shaped who you are. I believe counselling should be flexible and adapted to your individual needs, goals, and preferences.
I am particularly interested in supporting youth (10+) and neurodiverse individuals, as well as clients navigating anxiety, emotional regulation, self-esteem, relationship challenges, identity, and life transitions. I hope to create a space where clients can better understand themselves, recognize their strengths, develop strategies that work for them, and feel more confident navigating challenges in their lives.
Above all, I want therapy to be a space where you do not feel pressure to have everything figured out or to fit into a particular mold. I value authenticity, connection, and creating an environment where you can show up as yourself. I will work alongside you at a pace that feels comfortable and meaningful.
Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, staying active, getting creative through painting and crafting, and spending time with my dog.
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Masters of Counselling Psychology (In Progress)
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Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) – pendingRegistered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) – pending
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Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Business Administration
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Professional Management Certification
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Young Adults
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Adults
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Counselling for Men
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LGBTQ+ Community
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Life Transitions and Identity
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Professional Burnout
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Work Related Stress and Work-Life Balance
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Anxiety and Stress Management
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Greif/Loss
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LGBTQ+ Relational Therapy
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Solution Focused Therapy
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Existential and Narrative Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
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Trauma-Informed Therapy
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Individuality is at the core of my therapeutic philosophy, focusing on a person-centered approach that recognizes the complexities of the client’s relationships, core beliefs and life experiences that they bring into the session. Counselling and therapy should be a safe space where client’s can explore their thoughts, present and past experiences, and personal identity collaboratively with an empathetic therapist guiding the session through genuine curiosity and compassion.
My interest in psychology began early in my university studies, particularly with the cross between business and psychology, organizational behaviour and the cross between philosophy and psychology with the philosophy of mind and cognition, psychopathology, and human behaviour. My personal experiences with counselling began while navigating grief and loss, and through that experience I recognized my desire to help others navigate through transitions in life while understanding the intersecting aspects of their personal lives, professional lives, relationships and navigating conflicting responsibilities, beliefs and desires.
I’ve spent 20 years working in business management alongside many business professionals. Through this experience, I’ve recognized the greatest challenge faced by many people is integrating their professional lives within their personal lives. My therapeutic approach is to help guide people to finding the right balance between structured approaches and flexibility within to accommodate the intersecting aspects of their lives while addressing their professional identities and challenges.
I am interested in working with people experiencing anxiety, stress, overwhelm, identity issues and those going through life transitions through career or education changes, relationship challenges, transitioning into adulthood or midlife changes. Creating a safe space for people to help build confidence to face challenges and move towards goals is of the upmost importance in our therapy sessions.
Outside the therapy room, I enjoy spending time with my partner and friends; we like to travel, eat good food and spend time in the outdoors hiking, kayaking or hanging out at a beach. When I am alone, I enjoy running, going to the gym and when I need a good mental escape I like to sit at my piano and play just for myself.
Get in Touch
If you’d like to learn more about our team or explore working together, feel free to reach out directly or use the contact form below.
