Things people wonder
before they reach out.

Not necessarily. Many families come with a formal diagnosis, but others are navigating challenges that look similar — dysregulation, overwhelm, behavioural struggles — without one. What matters most is whether the approach feels aligned with what you're looking for. No diagnosis required to reach out.

Traditional therapy often focuses on changing thoughts (cognitive approaches) or managing behaviours (behavioural strategies). Those can be helpful — but they often miss what's happening in the body and nervous system.

This approach integrates somatic awareness, attachment healing, and nervous system regulation. We work with the whole person, not just the mind — addressing the roots of dysregulation rather than just the surface symptoms.

My primary focus is supporting parents and adults. For families, I typically work with parents through parent coaching and family sessions — helping you understand your child's nervous system and build your own co-regulation capacity. For children who need direct therapeutic support without a parent present, I can provide referrals to colleagues who specialize in child therapy.

If nothing has created lasting change, it's not because you or your child are failing — it's because most approaches miss what's actually driving the struggles. When we address nervous system dysregulation and attachment needs directly, rather than just managing surface behaviours, we see different results.

This work goes deeper. It's not a quick fix, but it creates genuine, sustainable shifts. The free call is a low-stakes way to find out whether this feels different.

Both. In-person sessions are available in Nelson, BC and the broader Kootenays — including Castlegar, Trail, Rossland, Kaslo, and Salmo. Virtual sessions are available throughout BC, across Canada, and internationally.

Individual somatic therapy sessions are typically 90 minutes in person and 60 minutes virtually. The extra time matters for somatic work — it takes a few minutes to arrive, and the body needs a slower pace than an hour usually allows. Family support sessions vary depending on the format. We'll discuss what makes sense during your free call.

Most clients meet weekly or bi-weekly, depending on needs and goals. Consistency matters for nervous system work — we're building new patterns and capacity over time. Frequency is higher at the start and tapers as things settle. We'll find a rhythm that fits your schedule and budget.

This varies significantly based on your goals and situation. Some families see meaningful shifts in 8-12 sessions, while others work for six months to a year or longer. We're addressing nervous system patterns and attachment wounds that developed over time — this isn't quick-fix work. We check in regularly about progress and adjust as needed.

Session fees and package options are discussed during the initial free call. A limited number of sliding scale spots are available for local Kootenay families based on financial need. BC Autism Funding covers eligible sessions in full — ask about this on your call.

I provide receipts that you can submit to extended health plans that cover Registered Therapeutic Counsellors (RTC). Many BC plans include RTC coverage — check with your provider about your specific plan. I do not direct bill insurance providers other than BCAF.

Yes. Family therapy and caregiver coaching are eligible expenses under BC Autism Funding — covering the whole family, not just the child with a diagnosis. Log in to your BCAF portal, submit an Add Service Provider request, and we bill directly. No out-of-pocket cost and no reimbursement forms. Learn more →

Somatic therapy works with the body's wisdom, not just the mind's understanding. "Soma" means body — this approach recognizes that nervous system patterns, stress, and old wounds are held in the body, not just in thoughts.

We work with sensations, breath, and body awareness to build regulation capacity and integrate what talk therapy alone can't reach. Talk therapy works on the story. Somatic therapy works on the place in your body where the story is still happening.

Polyvagal theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, explains how the autonomic nervous system shapes our behaviour and experience. It helps us understand why we go into fight/flight activation or shutdown — and how we access states of safety and connection.

Understanding your nervous system patterns shifts the question from "what's wrong with me?" to "what's happening in my nervous system?" That shift changes everything.

Attachment-based ADHD support understands that ADHD challenges are deeply connected to nervous system regulation and relational experience. Rather than focusing solely on behaviour management, we work to build secure attachment between parent and child, support nervous system co-regulation, and create the relational conditions where children with ADHD can actually flourish.

Children regulate through relationship before they can self-regulate. That's where this work begins.

I'm not a prescriber, but I support families in making informed decisions about medication. For many families, medication is a helpful tool that reduces nervous system activation enough for other interventions to work. I help families understand medication decisions through a nervous system lens — considering attachment patterns, environmental factors, and family values. I work collaboratively with prescribers when clients are on medication.

I don't expect children to sit still and talk about feelings — that's not how nervous system work happens anyway. For parent coaching sessions (without the child present), we focus on building your capacity to co-regulate with your child in everyday moments, not just in a therapy room. The most powerful work often happens between sessions, in the real moments of family life.

It's common for parents to have different perspectives on ADHD support. One parent can begin this work alone — and often the shifts that happen naturally bring the other parent into alignment. I also offer sessions specifically for partners to get on the same page about approach and goals. You don't both need to be fully committed from the start.

Yes — when appropriate and with your consent, I can consult with your child's school or teacher. I also offer separate school consultation services for educators who want to understand ADHD and nervous system regulation in classroom settings. Sometimes a brief conversation can help a teacher understand your child's needs in a completely different way.

Thriving Together is an 8-week program for parents navigating ADHD. It combines nervous system and attachment education with skill-building, community support, and personal regulation work for parents. Groups are kept small (6-8 families) and offered both in-person in Nelson and virtually. It's a powerful way to build understanding alongside other parents who genuinely get it.

Absolutely. Late ADHD diagnosis is incredibly common — and it often brings both relief (finally understanding yourself) and grief (mourning what wasn't understood earlier). I received my own ADHD diagnosis at 38, so I understand this journey personally as well as professionally. We work to integrate this new understanding, heal ADHD-related shame, and build genuine regulation capacity — not just productivity hacks.

Definitely. Many parents I work with discover their own ADHD through parenting — or they've known for years but are now struggling with the demands of parenting while managing their own dysregulation. We can work on both simultaneously: understanding your child's needs and tending to your own nervous system, building your regulation capacity, and healing your own patterns.

Yes — my approach is deeply trauma-informed. Whether or not you identify as having experienced trauma, I approach this work with sensitivity to nervous system patterns, respect for your pace, and understanding that healing happens in relationship. We work within your window of tolerance, honouring your defences, and creating safety for vulnerable parts to emerge. You're always in control of what we work with and when.