about us
Hi, I'm Joel!
I’m a Registered Psychotherapist here to support you in this chapter of your life. Inspired by my own experience of living with anxiety symptoms, I’m passionate about helping you live more peacefully with (rather than in conflict with) your anxiety.
I am a gentle, nonjudgmental and caring individual who enjoys connecting with people on a personal basis. I have a diverse educational background which includes clinical counselling, religious studies, and community development. I have experience working with people of various ages, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
My counselling experience includes working with individuals dealing with anxiety, OCD, shame, depression, relationship issues (friends, couples, family of origin), attachment, grief, loss, self-esteem, life-skills, addictions, spirituality, and life transitions.
Using a values- and mindfulness-based approach, my desire is to help you become more aware of the areas where you are getting stuck, learn ways to get unstuck from difficult thoughts and emotions, help you connect with your values, and also offer practical ways for you to move forward in the direction that is personally meaningful to you.
If you can be with the pleasant without chasing after it, with the unpleasant without resisting it, and with the neutral without ignoring it - that is an incredible freedom.
- Rick Hanson
What guides you?
Life is a journey and having something to guide you can make a big difference!
With anxiety or OCD, fear often motivates our actions, leading to choices that we might not otherwise make (such as avoiding social gatherings with friends, repeating certain actions until it feels “just right”, or not going near places that we enjoy because of a worry about having another panic attack).
While fear can offer some wisdom in regard to things we should be cautious about, it often also limits our lives in certain ways. Values, on the other hand, often expand our lives and move us towards things that are important and meaningful to us. For example, if my value is to be self-compassionate when I feel scared, I may still choose to stay home to take care of myself or I might choose to still go out with friends–making the mindful, values-based choice though, rather than not going due to fear, often leads to what feels like a fuller life!
