“Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.”
~ Tori Amos
My Story
I grew up in a home that was full of disconnection and instability.
My experience growing up was always full of loneliness and isolation. The lack of emotional connection with family only intensified these feelings, especially with several moves to new homes throughout my childhood. With experiencing all of these changes, I didn’t feel I belonged anywhere. I struggled because I didn’t have the chance to build lasting connections or routines, which added to my stress and anxiety over the years.
On this foundation, I did my best to build a life. And from the outside, I did so quite successfully. I became a corporate strategist, and for many years climbed the corporate ladder, holding leadership roles in several well-known financial institutions and technology firms.
And I probably could have continued along like that — coping with the long and demanding hours, ignoring the burn out that was just beneath the surface. But life had other plans for me.
At the age of 33, I was met with one of my greatest challenges. I was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
As I watched the future I had envisioned for myself change before my eyes, something shifted inside me. This illness was a pivotal moment in my life. All of a sudden, I had no choice but to pause and reflect. I started to realize the true cost of my professional life, and could not longer deny that a change was needed. I didn’t want to spend my life in survival mode.
It was this quiet inquiry which led me to find more meaning and the search for connection. I started to show up for myself and was now ready to work with the uncomfortableness I felt for most of my life.
I know from personal experience how easy it is to get caught in repeated patterns that keep us in those “stuck places.” And that sometimes we need someone who can help us become unstuck and allow us to be ourselves. It’s what allowed me to move forward, and it’s what I now pass on to others.
I work empathetically and relationally with clients to explore their feelings, strengths and experiences that matter to them. By creating a safe space, I meet clients exactly where they are; whether they’re dealing with emotional pain, trauma or desire to find deeper meaning in their lives. I draw on my many clinical skills by combining emotionally focused therapy (EFT), internal family systems (IFS), psychodynamic psychotherapy, mindfulness, and EMDR to develop a treatment approach that suits each client’s individual needs.
My Why
Because life can feel heavy sometimes, and it’s through our shared experiences we can connect to the deeper parts of ourselves.
My Philosophy
I believe well all have the capacity to heal — we just need is a little help to get there.
Healing doesn’t look the same for everyone. Sometimes, the therapy process is about finding tools and resources to support us. Sometimes it’s about connecting to the pains that we’ve been carrying so we can let them go. Whatever you want to work on, we’ll go there, and we’ll do it as a team.
My Career
After many years in leadership roles with corporate organizations, it was my personal health experience many years ago that led me to retrain as a psychotherapist. Therapy made such a positive impact on my life, that I felt the desire to be of service to others.
I hold a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, and I’m a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists Ontario. I am committed to ongoing learning by continuously training in trauma-informed approaches, including EMDR and polyvagal theory.
My Areas of Focus
Anxiety
Depression
Relationship & Attachment Concerns
Developmental and Attachment Trauma
Complex PTSD
Major Life Transitions
Sexuality & Gender Identity
Multicultural Counselling
Contact Alycia at alycia@innersummits.ca, or book a complimentary phone consultation