Integrative Counselling

What is Integrative Counselling?

Integrative therapy is an individualized, holistic approach to therapy that combines ideas and techniques from different therapeutic schools of thought depending on the unique needs of a given client.

Integrative therapy is sometimes referred to as holistic therapy because it aspires to consider an individual’s mental, physical, and emotional health in a unified way. Ideally, the therapist and the client will work together to understand the sources of the latter’s anxiety, unhappiness, physical discomfort, or unhealthy behaviour patterns.

My Approach

As a Black womanist therapist, my approach to  counselling is centred on the experiences and needs of Black, Indigenous, and racialized women and gender-expansive folks. My work is rooted in the belief that we must dismantle systems of oppression that perpetuate violence against these communities and create a safer and empowering space for individuals to heal from the trauma they have experienced due to these systems and challenge the internalized beliefs we have adopted.

In my practice, I use anti-oppression theories and practices alongside integrative counselling to help clients navigate internal and external distress caused by intersecting factors such as race, immigration/refugee status, indigeneity, class, gender, sexuality, disability, age, and spirituality. These factors shape how clients are treated, their access to opportunities, their self-perception, and their specific needs for safety and belonging.

I prioritize the practice of self-love, boundary-making, and social support, while acknowledging the impact of relationships with partners, family, and friends, as well as communities, workplace culture, and the broader society. My approach integrates scientifically supported techniques that are intuitively tailored to each individual’s unique situation.

During our sessions, I create a non-judgmental, affirming, and direct space where clients can explore their emotional, cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual experiences. Together, we set goals and collaborate to decide on the best path forward, while I listen attentively and offer practical tools and information to deepen clients' awareness of their:

  • Feelings and how to deal with them

  • Physical reactions and what can be learned from mind-body awareness

  • Empowering or disempowering thoughts and ideas

  • Unconscious patterns and learned coping strategies that no longer serve them

  • Ways to deal with the effects of oppression, trauma, social stigma, and environmental stressors in their lives

  • Practices and traditions that support change as well as continuity

Through this process, my aim is to empower individuals to heal, grow, and thrive in a world that too often seeks to marginalize and silence them. I believe that this work is crucial to building a world where all individuals can live in freedom and dignity, free from the harmful effects of oppressive systems.

Counselling Techniques & Theoretical Perspectives my practice if informed by:

  • Anti-Oppression and Feminist Practices

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

  • Harm-reduction

  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

  • Coaching

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)

  • Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)

  • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

  • Somatic therapy

“Healing begins where the wound was made.”  

-Alice Walker

Areas of Specialty

  • Racial Trauma

  • Identity & Culture

  • Black Superwomen Schema

  • Anxiety & Stress

  • Depression

  • Trauma, PTSD, & C-PTSD

  • Mood Disorders

  • Emotional Abuse

  • Physical Abuse  

  • Self-Esteem

  • Relationship Issues

  • Codependency

  • Eating and Food Issues

  • Abortion Issues

  • Family Conflict

  • Attachment Issues

  • Assertiveness & Boundaries

  • Psychosomatic Issues

  • LGBTQ Issues / Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

"The most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself."

Nayyirah Waheed

Fees

$100.00

Initial consultation: free 15 min phone session

Standard fee: $100 (+hst) 50 min session

Sliding Scale: $65 (+hst) 50 mins session inquire during intake (waitlist)

Purchase could not be completed at this time.

FAQ

Is integrative counselling covered by insurance?

As a pre-licensed practitioner, I am supervised by a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. My services may be covered by private insurance due my supervision arrangement. Currently counselling services are not covered by OHIP.

What is the cancellation policy?

A minimum of 24 hours notice is required to cancel a session with no financial penalty.  Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice are subject to the full session fee, except in the case of an emergency or serious illness.

Decolonize Therapy

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