Registered Psychotherapist

Hi, I’m Annelise. I am here to walk with you through the process of becoming less stuck. Together, we work to understand the patterns of behaviour that keep you achieving negative outcomes in life (e.g., tension in relationships, ways of coping that hurt us, anxiety, etc.). We consider what purpose these patterns serve you, so when we talk about possible change, we can respect both the person that you were and the person you are becoming. The work that we do together is at times exploratory, and at other times actively changing thoughts and behaviours that keep us stuck. 

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My therapeutic approach is long-term talk therapy. This approach considers the problems you face from a perspective of curiosity and works to understand why we feel or act a certain way before doing the work to make your desired changes. We explore situations you are facing now, giving you an opportunity to talk and process what is happening for you (situations, emotions, thoughts, behaviours), and consider past experiences that come up as you process.

 

Often, the patterns we are stuck in are the same ones we used to help us when we were younger. Our work together develops understanding and respect for the ways you kept (emotionally, physically) safe in the past, and identifies how they are hindering rather than helping you now. Then we can consider different ways of responding that will both keep you safe and, instead of being a barrier, help you succeed in other ways. Here, I implement concepts and techniques from more cognitive approaches (e.g., Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) to aid in skill building and goal achievement.

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I have experience in helping individuals understand and respond to: difficulties regulating emotions, depression, anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, and grief. These areas are important to me because they are real, and are so difficult to navigate on our own. Alone, it can be isolating and overwhelming without being able to externalize the thoughts and get helpful feedback. Talking about them with someone else allows us to experience support, acceptance, and caring while we work to accomplish our goals.

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A bit more about me: I headed back to university after my kids were in school full time, finally knowing a career path that I connected with. I completed a bachelor's degree in psychology at Brock University, then completed a master’s degree in counselling psychology through Yorkville University. I enjoyed and benefited from these learning experiences; I learned new concepts, how to think critically about them, and how to use them practically in a therapeutic setting. I am happy to have the opportunity to put all that knowledge and experience to use.

While I am excited to be in therapy sessions, continued learning is important to me so I can provide the best care possible. I have undergone additional training in specific areas: Grief & Loss, Cognitive Processing Therapy for trauma, and adult experiences with ADHD. Additionally, I spend time in research regarding relevant topics and techniques for clients as need arises.

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Outside of work, I spend my time with my partner and kids. We like to be active so we end up at the park playing sports of some sort. My favourite place to be is on a camp site in a Provincial Park in the summer. In the every day, I enjoy running, baking, reading novels and playing games. 

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Why I do this work: There have been many times in my life where I felt alone in a struggle, and stuck; unsure of how to make a difference in my life. I could have benefited greatly from having a safe space to talk about things and learn practical ways I could make a difference in my own life. Each of you will bring your own unique story. I want to create a safe space where you can speak freely about what you're struggling with, not be alone in it, and find a way to be active in making a desired change.

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If you’re looking to talk through what is keeping you stuck, reach out. I’m available by video and in person, and talk with individuals over the age of 17. I look forward to getting to know you.