Areas of Interest
Hello! My name is Katharine. I have two primary interests – trauma and neurodiversity.
The experience of trauma is sadly far too common leaving many of us struggling with our mental and physical health for years. I became a therapist to support individuals and couples in finding their unique path to healing from all forms of trauma.
Secondly, I am passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals (ADHD, AuDHD, autism, gifted etc.) Discovering you are neurodivergent in adulthood can be a profound experience. It creates a new lens to see your life experiences through and an opportunity to chart a new path forward.
To support these interests, I provide individual and couples counselling, formal assessments and mental health workshops.
Approach to therapy
My approach to therapy is a collaborative and based on your goals.
Broadly speaking my clients are often looking for two things – symptom relief and support while they address long-term concerns. These concerns may come with a variety of labels which may include: PTSD, C-PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, dissociation, neurodivergence etc.
For many deeply rooted concerns I use an approach called Internal Family Systems (IFS), My interest in IFS goes back many years and I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to complete Level 1 training directly from the Internal Family Systems Institute. With IFS, I often incorporate somatic supports including listening therapies.
Based on the individual, I may also suggest mindfulness and meditation, neurodiversity affirming dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Additionally, with training in spirituality, I understand the supportive or traumatic role that spirituality and / or religion may play in your healing and can incorporate this understanding into therapy if desired.
Couples
Couples that I work with bring their individual challenges plus communication challenges and sometimes a history of infidelity. When working with couples I primarily uses the Gottman Couples Therapy approach as I have completed Level 2 training in this approach.
Formal Assessments
I continue to focus on trauma and neurodiversity with my formal assessments. Currently, I am trained to complete PTSD and other trauma related disorders, mood disorders (e.g. depression), anxiety disorders , personality concerns, psychoeducational assessments, ADHD assessments, screening for autism and others. With these assessments I may prepare a variety of reports.
A Lifetime of Experience
With 31 years of marriage, adult children, and aging parents, I also appreciate the influence that past and present families have on our wellbeing.
I consider it an honour and privilege to accompany clients through the therapy journey.
