My Approach to Therapy

Psychodynamic & Relational Therapy in Vancouver

Beginning therapy can feel like a significant step. Many people spend a long time thinking about whether to reach out, what therapy might involve, or whether it will truly help. I deeply respect the courage it takes to begin this process.

I feel honored to do this work and humbled by the trust clients place in me when they share their lives and experiences. Therapy can be a space for reflection, healing, and meaningful personal growth. It can also be a place where new ways of understanding yourself and your relationships begin to emerge.

While therapy can be deeply supportive, it also requires commitment and openness. Meaningful change often involves curiosity about ourselves, patience with the process, and a willingness to explore experiences that may feel difficult or unfamiliar. My role is to walk alongside you in that process—offering insight, tools, and thoughtful guidance.

A Psychodynamic Perspective

My clinical work is strongly influenced by psychodynamic psychotherapy, an approach that explores how past experiences, relationships, and unconscious patterns shape the way we think, feel, and relate to others.

Often, the difficulties people experience in the present—such as anxiety, relationship conflict, or feelings of self-doubt—are connected to earlier relational experiences or long-standing emotional patterns. Psychodynamic therapy helps bring these patterns into awareness so they can be understood and transformed.

In our work together we may explore:

recurring emotional patterns or relationship dynamics

early experiences that shaped your sense of self

unconscious beliefs or expectations about relationships

how past experiences continue to influence the present

the ways you cope with emotional challenges

Understanding these patterns can help create new possibilities for change, allowing you to respond to life with greater freedom and self-awareness.

Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT)

Another important influence on my work is Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT). This approach emphasizes that human well-being is deeply connected to our relationships with others.

RCT suggests that psychological distress often emerges when people experience disconnection, isolation, or relational harm. Healing, therefore, happens through authentic connection, empathy, and mutual understanding.

In therapy, this means that the therapeutic relationship itself becomes an important part of the healing process. My goal is to create a space where you feel:

respected and understood

able to speak openly about your experiences

supported in exploring vulnerability and growth

connected rather than judged or pathologized

Through this relational process, many clients discover new ways of understanding themselves and forming healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

A Collaborative and Active Style

My approach to therapy is collaborative, engaged, and thoughtful. I tend to be more active in sessions than some traditional therapists. Rather than remaining silent, I offer reflections, observations, and questions that may help deepen insight and move the conversation forward.

At the same time, therapy moves at your pace. Our work together will always be guided by your needs, goals, and readiness for exploration.

While psychodynamic and relational perspectives form the foundation of my work, I also integrate other evidence-based approaches when they are helpful, including:

Narrative therapy

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Trauma-informed approaches

Strengths-based and culturally responsive practice

This integrative approach allows therapy to remain flexible and responsive to each person’s unique experiences and goals.

The Goal of Therapy

Ultimately, therapy is about helping you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, strengthen your relationships, and create a life that feels more meaningful and aligned with who you are.

My hope is that therapy becomes a space where you feel supported in exploring difficult experiences, recognizing your strengths, and moving toward greater clarity, connection, and well-being.