Nexus Mission Statement

My approach to counselling is deeply rooted in an off-shoot of Feminism, Relational-Cultural Therapy. As a Relational-Cultural therapist, I believe that clients hold the key and, ultimately, know what is best for them.

By identifying the changes you would like to make and understanding the myriad of factors that weave together to form the fabric of your life, you and I can work together and better identify what is not working, and how to implement changes in a way that best works for you. By working collaboratively with you, no matter your reasons and/or goals for counselling, our work together is always driven by you.

The foundational beliefs of Relational-Cultural Therapy include:

• As human beings, our need for connectedness to others is paramount.
• It is through our connection to others that we are able to change, open up, shift our perspectives of self and others, transform from trying to being, heal our inner being, and grow into who we were meant to be.
• From a Relational-Cultural Therapy perspective, the therapeutic relationship is a growth-fostering relationship that promotes healthy functioning, energy and passion, self-worth, clarity about self and others, and a longing for connection with others.

Based on the backdrop of working with a Relational-Cultural therapist, our work together will likely expand and elevate your feelings of mastery and empowerment. Like a trickle-down effect, this type of psychological empowerment often results in improved emotional health, increased personal growth, and deeper personal insight.

As a Relational-Cultural therapist, I encourage you to both see and understand the impact you have on me within the context of a therapeutic relationship that is empathetic, growth-fostering, egalitarian, supportive, safe, and healing. By providing a safe and supportive environment, it is my hope that our work together within the context of a healing and mutually respectful therapeutic relationship will help pave the way for you to better recognize the impact you have in your relationships and the people around you. When we feel supported, heard, and fully understood, we are able to tap into our strengths, fully embrace our personal power, and develop the courage needed to take personal risks and strengthen bonds with others.

No matter why you may be seeking supportive therapy, Relational-Cultural Therapy addresses your goals through the development of increased relational competence via changing negative self-images by way of an egalitarian relationship built on mutual empowerment and mutual empathy.

As such, change from a Relational-Cultural Therapy perspective is influenced by the following:

• The strength of the therapeutic relationship
• The level of authenticity of both therapist and client
• A client’s expectations of therapy, the therapist, and self
• Therapist self-disclosure
• A client’s level of self-knowledge and ability for insight, and how he or she defines power
• Developing a voice and being heard
• A client’s understanding and/or experiences of societal and cultural norms and expectations
• Meaning-making
• Increased consciousness and self-awareness
• Characteristics of both the client and the therapist
• The ability of therapist and client to be vulnerable within the context of a meaningful therapeutic relationship

In a word, yes. Given that connectedness with others is a universal human need, Relational-Cultural Therapy is an approach that is inclusive and suited for everyone: individuals, couples, families, and groups, regardless of age, gender preference, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, culture, nationality, or socioeconomic status.

Absolutely not. Importantly, Feminist counselling approaches have been described as technically integrative and support using alternative evidence-based practices and techniques within a Feminist framework. Also, when combined with clinical expertise within the context of a client’s characteristics, culture, and personal preferences, the uniqueness of the individual is both honoured and respected.

As someone who pushes my own personal boundaries and embraces risk by thinking outside the box, I use tools and techniques from different evidence-based practices and approaches, with my own spin of course, believing no single technique and/or approach may be suitable for all clients.

If you are looking for a therapist or counsellor who primarily focuses on asking you how you feel, comes across as overly clinical, and shies away from authentic engagement and interaction, I am probably not for you.

If, however, you are looking for a therapist or counsellor who loves what she does, is active, engaging, down to earth in her approach, fully authentic, uses humour, and will challenge you based on your goals for counselling, then the chances are we are likely a good fit.