COUNSELLING FOR DANCERS, ARTISTS & ATHLETES

Humans first, dancers second. This is something I believe deeply to my bones and that I integrate into my therapeutic work and in the dance studios I work in. I consider myself very lucky to practice at the intersection of dance/arts and mental health. I offer a uniquely specialized approach that bridges professional counselling and the performing arts. With extensive professional experience and training in both disciplines, I am able to support to dancers and performers with a depth of understanding that few practitioners are positioned to provide. My early dance training took place in Calgary, AB in both folk and mainstream dance genres. I completed my BA in Dance (Contemporary with a specialization in Ballet) from the University of Calgary & Alberta Ballet School. Working as a professional freelance dance artist and choreographer gave me a breadth of experience and knowledge to draw from when I work with artists. My own journey through dance forged a path that deeply shaped how I understand embodiment, expression, and healing. As a dance educator & a certified Cecchetti ballet teacher (AD-CC-CICB), I take great pride in training my students holistically. I hold my Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology and I have been practicing as a psychotherapist since 2019. 

 

I offer counselling that feels grounded, comfortable, and human, the kind where we can sit cross-legged while you sip on a warm drink and take a deep breath as we move into the deeper work. Therapy can be a bit messy, so I focus on building a safe, attuned, and secure relationship with my clients so they can feel supported in truly being their authentic selves. I do not believe that the mind and body are just connected. They are truly the same system. The work I do is deeply rooted in Somatic Therapy approaches that support nervous system regulation and cultivate a felt sense of safety. Again and again, my clients & students remind me that the body holds an innate and profound capacity for healing when it is met with care, curiosity, and the right support. I am committed to helping people find a way to safety within themselves and to use the wisdom of their body to access the changes they are wanting to make in life. 

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We all want to be seen, heard & truly understood. This is also what facilitates the strong therapeutic alliance needed for growth and change. I have been in the other chair in the therapy room and I know just how hard it is. We want to know that the person sitting across from us actually understands us and has lived experience. ​I recall feeling so misunderstood the first time I went to therapy as I tried to explain the intricacies and nuances of the world I was from and why it shaped my views. Lived experience connects us. This is why my clients seek out my services- it's because I get it. I lived it. I continue to live it. 

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I know deeply what it means to be involved in an early specialization sport, to grow up using your mind and body as a tool and to be deeply involved in arts, movement, sport...and I know the ambition, drive and perfectionism that accompanies them. I danced and choreographed professionally for over 12 years and know the challenges of what it takes to build a professional career in something that other people view as a hobby. 

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And I am here for you through it. All of it. Mental health in sports, dance and the arts is crucial. We are meant to thrive, not to survive. I have my own story from this world that we share experiences from, and I am here to help you navigate yours;. You deserve it. 

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Many of my clients are professional artists & athletes or are young and aspiring artists or athletes. This is the work that I live for. I would love to set up a free consultation with you to see how therapy can benefit you and help you thrive.