Let’s Work Together.
Let me bring 25 years of clinical experience to work for you. Read on below to learn about my education, training, & credentials. Or just click the button below to get started.
About Alex
Education
Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) from McGill University, with a clinical specialization.
Professional Registration
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)
Clinical Approaches: How I Work with You
For Individual Therapy:
My expertise lies in Relational Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic, and Existential Psychotherapies. I have substantial training & many years of experience with trauma.
For Couple Therapy:
I use Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), the Bader-Pearson Model, and/or elements of the Gottman orientation. These are all leading edge approaches that help couples to build stronger relationships.
Wait—What does All of that Mean?
What it Means for Individual Therapy:
Your past as well as your present are important to understand the current problems you are experiencing and ways you have been shaped as a person. It means I help you understand your unique self more deeply, while challenging and supporting you towards your evolution into being a fuller, more resilient, and whole person.
I view our relationship as a sacred space and safe haven for us to explore your life; the strength of relationship we build becomes a platform upon which you can take courageous steps for your growth.
My approaches recognize our complexity as human beings. Much of my work with clients pays attention to experiences of connection to self and other, and what it means to live a meaningful life for each individual.
What it Means for Couple Therapy:
I place value on attachment theory—ways of understanding how you relate to each other in good times and in times of distress. I will notice and work with your ways of connecting & protecting yourselves in the relationship.
We will aim to shift from acts of disconnection, aggressions, passivity, avoidance or other forms of protection that hurt the bond between you to something much better. Together, I will support you in becoming more emotionally attuned and responsive to each another.
Couple therapy is about helping you to truly know yourselves, to increase your ability to be clear, kind, empathic, flexible, and committed.
I want to help both of you grow, mature, evolve as people so you have new capabilities to bring to the table. And that makes you a stronger, better couple.
Advanced Training I Have Taken:
I have taken extensive advanced training in the Bader-Pearson Model of Couple Therapy (Online, year-long training) as well as Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Couple Therapy. These are different approaches but they offer useful ways of working with challenges that couples experience.
I have completed Levels I and II of Satir Systemic Therapy, a method for working experientially with individuals and couples. This advanced training encompassed over 200 hours of classroom & training time.
I am also certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which is a well-established and highly effective method for working with people who have experienced trauma.
(* note that EMDR is not presently available. Due to COVID-19 all my work is via secure video call and EMDR requires in person sessions).
All the approaches I have trained in are particularly well suited to clients who are struggling with recurring patterns in their lives that they would like to change.
Teaching
Teaching about psychotherapy has also been a passion of mine and I have taught extensively over the years at the following post-secondary institutions: SFU, UBC Robson Square, and Mount Royal University. In addition, I have presented across the country to organizations and therapists on workshops relating to workplace mental health and a variety of clinical topics.
Organizational Training:
I have provided training & consultation on psychological well-being in the workplace to many organizations. Just a few of them include:
University of British Columbia (UBC) AAPS—Association of Administrative and Professional Staff
Public Guardian & Trustee of British Columbia
Department of Fisheries & Oceans / Canadian Coast Guard
Vancouver Coastal Health
ECOMM 911
RCMP
Victoria Police Department
WorksafeBC
If you are looking for a conference speaker or workshop presenter at your workplace, please contact me. I am still offering video based workshops to organizations during COVID.
Writing / Newsletter
I write on topics related to meaningful living, therapy, and personal development. If my words on this site resonate with you, sign-up for my free StrivingHuman newsletter by entering your email in the box below. No spam, and I do not share your information with anyone. It’s free & easy to unsubscribe at any time.
