About
Shadows
& Light

education & training

My education in counselling began through my front-line work in mental health care over the past 9 years - spanning long-term dementia care to mental health and substance use care for people with HIV. Beyond my clinical experience, I hold a bachelors degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a masters degree in Clinical Counselling.

Counselling Approach

I approach all of my work with attention to social and cultural contexts. We will explore who you are - your personal circumstances, identities, cultures and values - and how you experience your life today.

My work draws on Emotion-Focused, Internal Family Systems and Somatic theories of therapy - fancy terms to simply say that our work can help you understand yourself on a deeper level, through tuning-into your unique internal experience and providing a space for emotions that may be waiting to be felt. In our sessions together you can expect a conversational, non-judgemental and trauma-informed space, sometimes including a bit of humour, where we can notice the parts of you that are calling for your attention.

Personal notes

Outside of the therapy room, I love to cook, sing and thrift. I strive to be an anti-racist community member and therapist, and am always working towards understanding the impact of my privilege and colonial ancestry.

I am a client of therapy myself, and have experienced the (often overwhelming) process of finding a therapist that feels 'right'. My work is collaborative and consensual as I make every effort to offer as much safety and comfort to my clients as possible.

If you are curious about what our work together will look like, book a free 15-minute consult call to hear more about what to expect in therapy with me. I look forward to hearing from you!

– Julie (she/her)