My Educational Background:
I have been working in the field of social work for the past 10 years in a variety of different roles: from research to homeless shelter to survivors of gender based violence to youth mental health. For the past six years or so I have been directly working within clinical practice and doing individual therapy. Currently the population I work with includes youth, adults, racialized individuals, 2SLGBTQ+, and people with (dis)Abilities.
My Perspective On Mental Health:
My understanding of mental health struggles and mental illness (including trauma) are rooted in the belief that the current capitalist world along with other power structures such as racism, cis and heteronormativity, ableism, classism, and saneism impacts our mind, body, and soul. To take care of our wellbeing is direct resistance to these structures. While therapy and other management of mental health is not a cure, we can come to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.
I also tell my clients often that the world is created for specific bodies and minds, some of us are wired to function differently and it is because of a lack of good fit in the environment that can cause distress and struggles. So with neurodiverse people and those struggling with mental health I work to create an environment where they can function in sustainable ways.
Therapeutic Process:
I describe my approach as eclectic (meaning I pick from different types of therapy) and creative. The therapy is a vulnerable process so I want to make the space as safe, accessible, and transparents as possible for the clients. I want to keep the client informed through each process as such I will let them know why I am doing what I am doing. I bring in arts activities or other interests that clients might have into therapy. For example, in the past I have incorporated some aspects of gaming, or D&D, painting, drawing, origami, art journaling, and play writing.