Big ripples start with small drops.
You’ve made your first just by getting here. Let me help with the rest.
I know that looking for a counsellor and getting started can be overwhelming; this is why I offer free consultations. We can set up a phone call or virtual consult so that you can ensure that we would be a good fit together, that you feel comfortable, and so that we can discuss the best plan for you and your needs.
About Kim
Hi, I am so happy that you’re here.
I am a registered social worker with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Masters of Social Work. I am now offering counselling services both virtually and in person in two locations: West Ottawa and Embrun.
I am currently working with individuals, couples and families for counselling sessions, and also offering a program to expectant parents. Please scroll down to read more details about my area’s of specialty and how this may be beneficial to you.
If you have any questions that haven’t been answered on this page, please do not hesitate to reach out to me by email and I’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.
Group therapy is now being offered!
Group therapy opens up accessibility to therapy by being more affordable per session, often more frequent with weekly sessions and provides access with a shorter waitlist to these specialized services!
Group therapy combines the benefit of specialized therapeutic skills, coping strategies and teachings, along with the validation and support of realizing that others have experienced similar things and feelings.
Types of Counselling Offered
Couples Counselling (registered Blue Cross provider approved to work with Canadian Armed Forces families)
Perinatal Mental Health & Pregnancy (including TFMR) and Infant Loss Support
Parenting Support
Becoming A Family: Life Transitions when Bringing Home Baby
Individual Counselling
Group Therapy
“It is so important to take time for yourself and find clarity. The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself.”
— Diane Von Furstenberg
Areas of Specialty
Perinatal Mental Health
Did you know that during this time period - which includes when you may be trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are within 2 years of giving birth (or experiencing a loss) - you are significantly more likely to experience anxiety, depression, panic, OCD and/ or psychosis?
All of these feelings can be overwhelming, and are also very normal and 100% treatable with the right services and support.
You are not alone.
Your journey to parenthood may also not be what you had imagined.
Whether you have experienced fertility struggles, pregnancy or infant loss (or TFMR) or are finding yourself struggling during your transition to being a parent; I have specialized training in post partum and maternal health and extensive experience working through these challenges and offer individual counselling sessions to support you through these challenging emotional experiences and phases in your life.
Couples Counselling
Difficult conversations will always need to happen in partnerships, however these conversations don’t need to be emotionally draining or damaging to your relationship. Whether you are considering separation or just looking to grow your communication skills as a couple, we can implement strategies to build upon the positive aspects, and communicate with one another during conflict and stressful conversations or experiences.
Using evidence and research based tools and strategies from the Gottman method, I will work alongside you and your partner to identify both the strengths and areas for improvement in your relationship.
The goal of our time together is for you and your partner to learn new patterns of communication that you will be able to take outside of our sessions and implement into your daily life to ensure that you are able to really hear and understand each other, and feel closer together when you are able to really share your personal feelings and experiences in an emotionally safe way.
Military & First Responder Specific
Relationships are always complicated; however when you’re in a partnership with a first responder or military member there are added stressors and pressure that are specific to this population.
Ensuring that your couples counsellor has an understanding and specialized training and expereince in working with these relationships is incredibly important.
I am also a Blue Cross approved provider to provide services to our current active duty CAF members and families.
Parenting Counselling
Children come with no instructions or how tos. Whether you are parenting on your own or with a partner, it is likely that you will face issues with your child that you are unsure how to approach. Over time, this can lead to stress and interpersonal conflict within your relationship. Together, we will work through different parenting strategies and beliefs to develop plans for your unique family needs, whether that is parenting support or relationship support due to disagreements about parenting and general parenting stress.
Bringing Home Baby
Bringing home a baby is exciting—it is also a time of tremendous shift, stress, and emotions, which can be overwhelming. There are courses to take and books to read all about how to meet baby’s basic needs. But what people are rarely prepared for is how a baby will impact them as individuals. How will your lifestyle be altered, how will your relationships shift, and are you emotionally prepared for this change?
Did you know that the emotional well being of that primary caregiver is directly related to how well baby will grow and thrive?
The goal of this program is to normalize the emotions and experiences that accompany beginning a family, both the positive and the negatives, and to ensure that there are supportive plans in place to make this transition as smooth as possible for everyone. This can also include, where applicable, communication strategies and tools to ensure that the relationship between partners is prepared for this transition, and that both partners feel supported and know how to support each other.
What to expect in the first session.
We will cover confidentiality and informed consent and you will be able to share what has been happening in your life that has brought you to this appointment. I will take a clinical history from you, and you will also have the chance to ask any questions that you have about the process.
I believe the most important part of counselling is for you to feel comfortable and safe with your counsellor, and like you have a voice. I am always open to your feedback, and together we will determine what the best therapeutic approach will be and how often we would like to schedule sessions. I book weekly, bi-weekly and monthly sessions depending on your preference and needs.
During our first session we will also discuss your goals for yourself and what you are hoping to get from therapy. I look forward to creating these plans together with you.