FAQ

There is no "wrong" time to start therapy. You don’t need a diagnosis or to be having a major crisis to start. You might seek support if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in old patterns, or simply want to understand yourself better. If your current coping strategies don’t feel like enough or you're navigating a significant life transition, therapy can provide a helpful, dedicated space to process.

My practice is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and draws from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and humanistic, person-centred approaches. This means we focus on mindfulness, psychological flexibility, and building a life that feels meaningful to you. You can read more about my my approach here.

Therapy is a highly individual process. Some people find that a few months of focused work provides the tools they need, while others prefer long-term support for deeper exploration. We will check in regularly to ensure our work together continues to feel valuable and aligned with your goals.

Our first session is about getting to know one another and ensuring we are a good fit. We’ll discuss what brings you in, your history, and what you hope to achieve. It’s an opportunity for you to ask questions and get a feel for my therapeutic style before we dive into deeper work.

You don’t need to perform or have a perfect script. If it helps you to think about what you would like to talk about, or any goals you may have, please feel free to bring those thoughts, but it’s not necessary to do any preparation.

If we are meeting online, find a quiet, private space where you feel comfortable. Beyond that, just bring yourself!

The therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in your progress. If it doesn't feel like the right fit, I encourage you to let me know. I won't take it personally; in fact, I’m happy to provide referrals to other trusted colleagues in the Burnaby and Vancouver area to ensure you find the support you deserve.

While I draw on my experience as a BCBA and CCC to understand your patterns and needs, I do not provide formal psychological or medical diagnoses. My focus is on clinical support, skill-building, and therapeutic growth rather than diagnostic labeling.

Our sessions are a collaborative, "low-masking" space where you can be yourself. We typically start with a brief check-in to prioritize what's on your mind, then move into a mix of open exploration and practical skill-building. There is no "right" way to show up. Whether you need to move around, use fidgets, or take things slow, we work at a pace that respects your nervous system.

It’s a great question, and I know that for many in the neurodivergent community, behavioral therapy can be a polarizing topic. I believe that behavioral science is a powerful tool, but like any tool, its impact depends entirely on who is using it and what their goals are.

In my practice, I don't use behavior analysis to "fix" anyone or to enforce social compliance (like "training" someone to make eye contact or stop stimming). Instead, I use my understanding of behavior to support autonomy and quality of life.

We might use behavioral principles to:

• Identify the "why" behind sensory overwhelm or burnout.

• Build sustainable systems for executive functioning that actually work for your brain.

• Strengthen self-advocacy skills so you can navigate a world that wasn't built for you.

My primary framework is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which bridges behavioral science with deeply humanistic values. I’m here to help you live a life that feels authentic to you, using whatever tools help us get there.