Counselling and Psychotherapy for Adults

I provide individual psychotherapy for adult clients of all ages, offering both short-term (6-10 sessions) and long-term (10+ sessions) therapy. I am able to help you whether you are struggling with a mental health condition, or a stressful life event, such as:

  • Low mood, depression
  • Anxiety (social anxiety, generalized anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, etc..)
  • Life transitions – moving, divorce, break-ups, career changes
  • Relationship problems
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome
  • Anger-management
  • Questions around gender identity and sexuality
  • Eating disorders (bulimia, binge eating)
  • Body image problems
  • Sexual problems
  • Grief, loss
  • Sleep problems, including insomnia
  • Personality disorders

I have completed additional training in the following areas:

  • Working therapeutically with people on the Autism Spectrum
  • Working therapeutically with survivors of sexual abuse and sexual violence
  • Working with addictions (drugs, alcohol)

I am also experienced in working with LGBTQIA+ people and transgender/genderfluid people specifically.

Short-term Therapy

The length of short-term therapy can vary, but generally it is a therapy that is 12 weeks (12 sessions) long or shorter. 6 sessions are usually required to make lasting gains in therapy. According to recent studies, it takes 9 weeks for the average person to pick up a new habit; in therapy we are looking to help you make changes in your life, so it makes sense that it would take a while for these to become solidified.

Usually in short-term work I draw on CBT techniques and practices such as relaxation exercises and mindfulness. Short-term therapy focuses on finding practical solutions for your problems; it may include learning stress management techniques or a focused exploration of the topic that bothers you.

Long-term Therapy

Long-term or open-ended therapy is best if you are not sure about the root of your problems, or if there are many things you may wish to look at. My approach to working in long-term therapy relies mainly on psychodynamic theories; meaning that I believe our early experiences (such as those encountered during our childhood and adolescence) have a significant impact on us.

We may search for patterns in your life, to better understand what may be causing and perpetuating your problems. In long-term therapy it is crucial that you come to trust me, to share these often very personal memories and experiences.

My Approach to Working with people on the Autism Spectrum

I do not regard Autism as a ‘disorder’, I see it more as a group of traits that often go together and form part of one’s personality. There are positives and negatives to having these traits – just like with any other trait. Positives often include an exceptional ability to focus on topics of interest and the ability to learn new things about them very quickly. Many people on the Spectrum are also highly attuned to other people’s feelings, especially to the feelings of those who are close to them.

The negative side often includes a tendency to become stressed easily, due to workplace/academic pressure or family problems. It may also cause difficulties around maintaining a balanced eating and sleeping schedule, and social skills problems (initiating and sustaining romantic relationships, making new friends, etc..). These are generalizations and will not apply for everybody on the Spectrum.

Working with a person on the Autism Spectrum, my goal is always to help the individual achieve their goals – whatever they may be. My aim in general is to help my clients achieve an increased sense of wellbeing and to help them feel happier in their lives.