What To Expect
Free Consultation
We’ll start with a free consultation — a relaxed conversation where I can learn a little about what’s brought you to therapy, and you can get a feel for whether I’m the right therapist for you.
There’s absolutely no pressure to continue. You might simply have a few questions, want to understand how therapy works, or learn more about CBT or EMDR. That’s completely okay.
Your Assessment
If you feel comfortable moving forward, we’ll begin with an initial assessment.
This gives me the opportunity to understand more about what you’ve been experiencing, what you’d like support with, and what you hope to get from therapy. It also gives you the space to share things at your own pace.
Together, we’ll agree on what you’d like to work towards and an approach that feels right for you.
Your Therapy
From there, we’ll begin the therapeutic work together.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. You’re an individual, and your therapy should feel individual too.
I’ll work alongside you at a pace that feels comfortable, helping you understand the difficulties you’re experiencing, work through what’s holding you back, and develop practical tools and strategies that you can use in everyday life.
Ultimately, my aim is to help you reach a point where you feel more confident, better equipped to manage independently, and ready to move forward.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people process traumatic experiences by using rhythmic, side-to-side eye movements or other types of bilateral stimulation. It’s well-known as a successful treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), backed by decades of research.
How EMDR Works
During an EMDR session, your therapist will ask you to focus on a painful memory. At the same time, you’ll also be engaging in rapid eye movement or another form of bilateral stimulation (like tapping or sound tones). This kind of stimulation helps take the emotional edge off the memory, making it easier for your brain to sort through and store it in a calmer, more manageable way.
Most EMDR programs follow an eight-phase model that includes preparation, memory recall, desensitization, and future planning. Sessions are structured and goal-oriented, and typically last 60–90 minutes.
Conditions EMDR Can Help Treat
Although EMDR was originally developed for PTSD, it’s now used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including:
Anxiety and panic disorders
Phobias
Depression
Grief and loss
Dissociation
Addictions
Chronic pain
It’s especially helpful for people who’ve experienced a single traumatic event or who struggle with recurring emotional flashbacks.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented type of talk therapy (psychotherapy) that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. It is widely used to treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and insomnia, among others.
Key Principles of CBT:
Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors are Connected:
CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence each other. By changing negative or unhelpful thoughts, you can improve your emotions and behaviors.Focus on the Present:
Unlike some therapies that explore past experiences, CBT primarily addresses current problems and how to solve them.Collaborative and Structured:
Therapy sessions are structured, and you and your therapist work together as a team to achieve specific goals.Homework and Practice:
CBT often involves “homework” — exercises or tasks to practice outside of sessions to reinforce what you’ve learned.
How CBT Works:
Identify Negative Thoughts:
You learn to recognize distorted or unhelpful thought patterns (e.g., catastrophizing, black-and-white thinking, overgeneralizing).Challenge and Reframe Thoughts:
You challenge these thoughts with evidence and reframe them into more realistic, balanced ones.Behavioral Techniques:
You practice new behaviors to replace harmful or unhelpful actions (e.g., exposure therapy for anxiety, relaxation techniques).Problem-Solving:
You develop skills to tackle specific problems in your life, such as stress management or improving relationships.