Degrees: BA, MA, MSW, PhD
First Year Practice:
1986
Languages Served:
English
Clinical Specialties:
Counselling/Therapy
Gender-Related Issues/Sexual Issues
Grief/Trauma/Loss
NonClinical Specialties:
Consulting/Group Facilitation
Peer Supervision/Consultation
Age Groups Served:
Adults
Older Adults
Specialized Training:
In the MSW program at the University of Toronto, 1984-1986, I specialized in clinical practice with individuals, couples and families. From 1985-1988, I was an intern at the Toronto Institute of Human Relations, training in relational psychodynamic psychotherapy with individuals and couples. Since 1988, I have devoted at least 100 hours per year to continuing education and clinical supervision, integrating trauma theory, attachment theory, self psychology and relational psychoanalytic theory into my practice. I teach at the Toronto Institute for Relational Psychotherapy and have written Relational Psychotherapy: A Primer (Routledge, 2003/2015 and Understanding and Treating Chronic Shame (Routledge, 2015). This work has kept me current in relational psychotherapy theory. I have also been a long-term client in relational psychotherapy, believing it’s my responsibility to know the “self” that I bring to relationships with clients. And it has been invaluable to learn from the client’s side what therapy feels like and how it works.
Personal Statement:
If you are my client, your story matters to me. I will listen to you carefully without judgment. We may work for a few sessions on a particular distressing issue. Or our work together may explore more life-context and take more time. I always invite you to set the agenda for therapy. As a relational therapist, I believe that our formative relationships give us “blueprints” for who we can be. Even when these patterns undermine our well-being, even when they come from trauma, we tend not to notice them. It’s part of my job to help you notice, so that with compassion and creativity you can find new ways to be yourself. If you come as a couple, I don’t take sides. Instead, I help you each notice and share what’s really going on for you. This respectful conversation rebuilds connection while it explores the patterns that hurt the relationship.
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