In our current age, it’s important that I break down what these terms mean and how they are relevant in my therapy practice.

Holistic Therapy–
This means that our work will involve looking at the whole picture and context of your current circumstances. Rather than focusing simply on the “problem”, we explore the influences of your social, physical and mental well-being on your functioning using a strengths-based approach.

Narrative Therapy–
This approach views each person’s life as their own unique story. We will explore, deconstruct and rewrite narratives centering your voice, according to your goals in therapy and beyond.

Somatic Therapy–
Going beyond talk therapy, the somatic element focuses on how thoughts, emotions and experiences manifest and get stored in your body. This allows us to tap into the wisdom your body holds while you reconnect with yourself and learn to work with, rather than against your natural disposition.

Trauma Informed Therapy –
Firstly, we are not here to measure your trauma against anyone else’s, okay?

My trauma-informed approach focuses on soothing your nervous system with an understanding of how traumatic experiences rewire the brain and shape your lived experience. This includes acknowledging the legacies of intergenerational trauma that you may carry without awareness.

Each session will be different, but there will be some consistent elements across the board.

As my client, you will be in the driver’s seat throughout our therapeutic journey together – this means that you determine the topic, depth and pacing of each session. You can expect me to keep track, provide guidance and collaborate with you to ensure that we’re on track for meeting your goals.

You can also expect me to highlight behavioural and thought patterns, challenge dominant narratives and regularly encourage you to turn your attention inward to notice how your body responds as different topics are covered and emotions arise. Relevant strategies will be practiced together in session with helpful tips to use outside of the therapy space.

Your feedback is an essential part of the therapy process. You can expect me to check in with you throughout the session and during wrap up to see how my approach is landing, if anything requires more/less attention, as well as goal setting for follow-up sessions.

As a Black woman and therapist, my goal in starting this practice is to support those who wish to see themselves reflected in the services they seek.

I specialize in providing therapy to Black and other women of colour, racialized individuals and members of the global majority across Canada.

Short answer – no!

My speciality is outlined above. However, everyone is welcome at Akoma Therapy and Wellness.

If anything you’ve seen on my page resonates with you, I’d be honoured to walk with you along your therapeutic journey. I also encourage you to begin with a free 20-minute consultation to determine if we’d be a good fit.

There is no restriction around the life stage or challenges my clients are navigating when they begin therapy. Many of my clients are high functioning, high achieving individuals who are in the early stages of learning to ask for help or focusing specifically on their own needs. We spend a lot of time shifting from intellectualizing or bypassing emotions, to making space for truly processing them.

I often support clients through stress, anxiety, burnout, identity exploration, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions or any combination of the above.

I’m glad you asked!

Above and beyond any fancy approaches or therapy techniques, clinical research has consistently shown the therapeutic relationship to be one of the strongest determining factors in therapy outcomes. This means that ensuring your therapist is a good fit for you can have the greatest influence on your counselling experience.

I offer free 20-minute consultations to every potential client without any pressure to commit. You can think of this as a vibe check and chance to get a sense of the energy, approach and general feel of what sessions with me would feel like.

Short answer – it depends.

It can be beneficial to work with momentum and gradually space out sessions as you implement the skills practiced in therapy into your daily life. Clients typically begin with weekly or biweekly sessions then work toward monthly or periodic check-ins.

Many clients begin therapy due to an acute stressor or significant life transition, and just need support through the process. If this sounds like you, we might work together more intensely for a brief period and transition to a system of checking in as needed.

Others come to therapy when they are tired of what has become normal in their lives and are ready to work toward lasting change. This might look like exploring your past, processing events in the present and working toward writing a different story in each chapter that is to come.

My role is to support you along your therapeutic journey regardless of what it looks like.

Please check the Investment section on the Services page for session prices.

I do not offer direct billing at this time. A detailed receipt will be provided at the end of each session, which can be forwarded to insurance companies for reimbursement (if applicable).

I am licensed as a Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C.) in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). Clients who plan to use insurance are responsible for verifying if their specific policies include C.C.C.’s.

I know that life happens, things come up, or sometimes you might not have enough gas in your tank to show up the way you’d like to for sessions. All of that is okay!

I ask that clients provide a minimum of 24 hours’ notice for rescheduling or cancelling scheduled appointments. Cancellations outside of this window may be subject to full session fees. Exceptions are made at the discretion of your counsellor.