Developmental Trauma
Developmental trauma is a broad term to encompass abuse and neglect that happened repeatedly within the context of the infant/child and caregiver relationship. The impact of developmental trauma can be varied and can affect attachment, regulation, behaviour, biology (nervous system and its response to stress), dissociation, cognition, and self-concept.
While it may seem that there is no way to change ourselves, I offer to explore this further with you and see how we can best support anything you would like to change.
Adoption-related Difficulties
Adoption is an amazing journey which can at time presents with a set of challenges. Those challenges can be complex and often sit within a relational context. It can be about how the adoptive family adapts to the adoptee and adoptee adapts to the new family, it can be about managing difficulties around identity, belonging, how we express ourselves in the family, issues related to developmental trauma, and more. Adoptees can sometimes also need support to create meaning about their life and about themselves.
Parenting Difficulties
Parenting can be very rewarding. It can also be very difficult. Parents often have to contend with societal expectations, familial expectations, and the expectations they put on themselves. How do we make sense of our relationship with our children? Are there ways to create more safety and curiosity in our interactions? Can we step away from power struggles and instead create cooperation?
Relationship Difficulties
Human relationships are very complex. We have to think about ourselves within an interaction and what do we bring, but also about what the other person brings. Additionally, we have to consider what is between us, how you and me are creating something new that sits between us. How come relationships are difficult for some peolpe and how do I make sense of it for myself, so I can find my own way of creating helpful relationships?
Identity Issues
Identity is a complex concept. It can relate to who am I in the relationship to myself, others, and the world. There are many different ways we are perceived in the world. In different contexts, different parts of our identity will come to the front.
Identity also evolves over time and major changes of how we define ourselves can be confusing.
You don’t have to be alone in this process and I can support you.
Grief and Loss
Grief and loss are part of human life. While grieving is a life-long process, sometimes it can feel like we are stuck in grief. I want to offer you a space where we can explore stuckness together and support you to continue your grieving journey.
Stress and burn-out
Our current society is rooted in the legacy of colonialism and capitalism, which leaves little space for authenticity, connection, and dignity. In addition, the current geopolitical, environmental, post-covid context can create a stressful environment.
I offer a space where we can slow-down and look at how you can find ways to support yourself.
Feeling stuck, numb, shut-down
One way of coping is by shutting-down, escaping the stress. Sometimes, when we overuse this way of coping, we can become stuck and numb, disconnected from ourselves and others.
Let’s explore together how we can find a way to reconnect.
Dissociation-related Difficulties
Dissociation is a healthy way to cope with stress. However, sometimes too much dissociation can impact how we function in life. It can look like memory difficulties(e.g. being told we did something and not remembering it), feeling disconnected from every day life, acting in a very different way at times like we are a different person.
Let’s explore these difficulties together to get a better idea of what is happening and whether we can work to unify these ways of being.
Personal Growth
People coming to therapy do not have to have something to change. Instead, they can use the space to be curious about themselves and how they relate to others, the world, and their spirituality, befriends parts of themselves, and continue their human journey of self-exploration.
Let’s do it together.