THERAPY
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My approach.
I believe that healing happens within the context of strong relationships - not only with others, but also with ourselves! That's why therapy provides you a warm and trusting relationship in which you can safely explore vulnerable topics. My aim is to help you understand what has you feeling "stuck" so you can feel empowered to make positive change and break patterns of dysfunction.
My work is collaborative, and you get to set the pace. You can expect to be asked questions and provided gentle prompts that orient you to your thoughts, feelings, body, and spirit. I value making space for humour and lightness in my work - who says healing has to be done with furrowed brows? I might also suggest an activity, like painting or movement, to help us gain new insight. I draw from somatic and creative techniques that help you connect holistically to who you are and where your needs are at.
I like to learn about your strengths and help you use them to your advantage, while also holding space for your areas of struggle. I believe you are worthy of patience and self-compassion, and that you can develop these skills through our work together.
My work is primarily informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Feminist & Anti-Oppressive Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Polyvagal Theory. I have supported adults through a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, relationship issues, chronic pain, life transitions, employment stress, identity and sexuality, grief and loss, domestic violence, religious trauma, childhood abuse, and sexual abuse.
I am happy to provide a referral for people looking for support with eating disorders, active substance use, and for children! My colleagues at Solidarity Therapy would be happy to help you.
"I won't let pain turn my heart into something ugly. I will show you that surviving can be beautiful.”
CHRISTY ANN MARTINE
Working with me is...
COLLABORATIVE. I might be an expert in theory and process, but you are the expert on you! Healing is both a personal and collective effort, and your lived experience guides our work. I adapt how we spend our time together to best suit your needs as they come up, and you remain in control of where we go next.
ANTI-OPPRESSIVE. I believe we are best able to heal when we understand the systems that contribute to our lived experience. Ongoing and historical oppressions disconnect us from one another - fostering connection is an act of resistance. I aim to be an authentic, consistent, and responsive guide to the process of both individual and community reconnection.
EXPERIENTIAL. You are more than just your thoughts! My work takes into consideration your mind, body, spirit, relations, abilities, values, identities, and more to ensure we are healing the whole you. My work goes beyond talk therapy to provide my clients the opportunity to practice new skills both in and out of the therapy room. Creativity is a powerful alternative to despair.
NON-PATHOLOGIZING. It is human to struggle. We live in a complex world that throws us many curveballs, and I believe to experience hardship in response does not mean something is "wrong" with you. There is no wrong way to have a mind, body, or spirit!
A note on accessibility.
I strive to make my practice as accessible as possible to a diverse variety of access needs and abilities. If the below information does not answer your accessibility questions, or you have feedback about how I can improve the accessibility of my practice, please reach out via email. I would love to hear from you!
MY OFFICE. My office is located on the third floor of an office building. There is an elevator with wide enough doors for most mobility aids. All inside doors, including the one to my office space and to the public washroom, may feel heavy and do not have a push button (I am very happy to assist you in opening these doors - just ask!). Washrooms are gendered male and female and require an access code which is posted in our office space. My office itself can be adjusted to accommodate mobility aids, including wheelchairs, as needed.
FEES. My services are $160 + GST for a 50 minute individual session, and $175 + GST for a 50 minute relationship session. Extended sessions are also available if you'd like more time. Interested in sliding scale?
A peek at Ava's office space, featuring a teal couch with white cushions, a gold lamp glowing softly, and the edge of a wooden desk.
SENSITIVITIES. While I strive to avoid scents in my office space, I share this office with other practitioners who may use items such as incense and essential oils in their work. I may also have clients request the use of scented items in our work or attend sessions wearing scented products. As such, I am unable to guarantee a scent-reduced or scent-free environment.
There are multiple rooms in the office space and as such, you may be able to hear muffled voices and other sounds from the therapy room. There may also be quiet music or a white noise machine playing in the waiting room. There is a fan in my office that creates light white noise, and a noise machine that can be used depending on your preference.
Therapy can be heavy work, and caring for your physiological needs is important! As such, I offer light snacks, beverages, blankets, and pillows to support your comfort. I also encourage clients to present to sessions in comfortable clothing and to bring their own snacks, comfort items, and other supports that make our work more comfortable. If you are ever unsure about bringing something with you to session, please reach out!
VIRUS SAFETY. I take respiratory viruses seriously and use precautions in my personal and professional life to protect myself and my clients from illness, including COVID-19. I use a HEPA air purifier in my office at all times I am on site. I also have an N95 mask that I will wear upon request during sessions. Please note that I do see clients without masks, and other practitioners and clients in the office may not be masking. However, clients are asked not to present to in-person sessions while ill and are asked to reschedule if they arrive with symptoms. If in-person sessions are not a comfortable risk, I offer my services remotely via video call.
ONLINE SESSIONS. I offer all my services through video call to support those are unable to attend services in-person. You will need a stable internet connection (check yours here), a device equipped with a microphone and camera, and a web browser. I use Jane App to host video sessions, which recommends using the Chrome browser for best results.
LOCATION. I am a part of the Solidarity Therapy collective, a multidisciplinary group practice with an anti-oppressive and trauma-oriented focus. My office is in "Langley, BC," includes free parking, and is within walking distance of bus stops. Visit this page to review our guide to accessing the building on weekends and holidays. Note that there are two gates to the parking lot and only the South gate is open on weekends.
Another peek at Ava's office space, featuring a teal couch with white cushions and a corner bookshelf featuring several decorations and books.