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Through Expressive Arts Therapy, we can explore how reconnecting with our senses and imagination can offer new possibilities for resilience. No previous experience in the arts is necessary and we work together to find which tools resonate best for your journey. Together we can explore a variety of creative tools such as story telling, visual art, movement, collage making or work with what ever feels natural and accessible. Using the arts can be an extremely effective way to open new pathways and unblock sticky patterning. It is a trauma-informed practice that can be supportive through difficult emotions and experiences.

I offer a safe and supportive environment that will allow us to step away from everyday thought patterns that can cause stickiness. Sessions can include as much or as little talking as is necessary at that time. As we take the time to notice what arises through our time in the arts, we gain the opportunity to also imagine how things could be different. Expressive Arts Therapy is accessible to anyone of any ability and is beneficial at any stage of your healing journey. I offer individual sessions for children, youth and adults of any age as well are group workshops.

I began my personal work in my “dark night of the soul.” I did-I did-I did; I performed; I achieved, all the while silently dying of grief. I felt like an island lost at sea, and all the people in my life far away lighthouses I could never reach. My family lived by the words “Life is Pain,” deeply scarred by war, displacement, immigration, poverty, violence, depression, and suicide.

Through therapy, connection, and time, I learned that I could embrace my past and find peace too. I learned that life unravels itself in a mysterious, unpredictable, and miraculous way that none of our efforts can control. Yet, we can decide who we are in the middle of it and who we let into our inner worlds. We all have this power.

I believe in human connection, in healing, in silver linings, and I believe in YOU. My therapeutic strength is in helping my clients form more meaningful, deeper connections with others, themselves, and the world. And I love my work!

My approach is warm, relational, and focused. My training includes Trauma-Informed practice, Experiential processing, Humanistic-Existential therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Family Systems, Gestalt and Rogerian therapy, Transpersonal Psychology, and A Course in Miracles philosophy. In addition, I hold a three-year diploma in Transpersonal Therapeutic Counselling from Clearmind International Inc.

As an Expressive Arts Therapist, I wish to hold space for you to uncover your own strengths through art-making and creative exploration. I work with children, youth, and adults of all ages in individual and group settings. I come to this work as a therapist with a background in theatre and music. Throughout the ups and downs of life, I’ve always turned to the arts for support and insight.

My formal education includes a Certification in Expressive Arts Therapy, a BFA in Theatre Arts and I am currently working towards my Master’s Degree in Expressive Arts Therapy. My experiences within the arts allow me to support others with an open-heart and a playful spirit.

In a session, you are invited to speak to challenges that arise in your day-to-day life and then, through the arts, we can enter the imagination. This provides an opportunity to discover new perspectives and untapped resources. Together we can explore any and all art practices, such as writing, visual arts, movement, theatre, music, and nature-based arts. No technical skills in the arts are needed to engage in this form of therapy. The arts meet you as you are in a caring, non-judgemental environment.

As a therapeutic counsellor, I hold a safe, non-judgmental, loving space for you, as you explore and understand yourself with challenges you face. I specialize in trauma, phobias, panic attacks, anxiety and depression. Facing these cornerstones myself (including divorce), I bring empathy and compassion towards others going through similar struggles. We are a work in progress and are inspired by healthy connection, which is how we can grow, communicate and heal.

Is your life not working out the way you thought?

As children, in a world where the best parenting was considered to be about behaviour control, our feelings were met with disapproval, anger and rejection. For our own survival, we learned to hide and repress our feelings, which then distort into resentment, anger and depression. This leads to physical illness, addictions, or at the very least, self-sabotaging patterns. When we face a situation that feels similar now, we still feel disempowered, our defence mechanisms kick in (defend, deny, blame, etc) and we overreact. Our brain tells us we are in the same situation we were as a child when we were at the mercy of our caregivers and life feels threatened. Our unconscious defence mechanisms aren’t the best judge of how to handle any situation.

Your job now is to establish a new relationship to this reaction-in other words, you are learning to re-parent yourself. You are now the one in charge of how you feel, how you react and what you need to do now. Once you feel empowered again, everything in your world starts to change. We navigate our lives from a sense of peace, joy and fulfillment.

Are you looking for someone to lean on and share without judgment? I believe we all want to be heard and not feel self-conscious. My approach to therapy is listening with an open heart and using a non-judgmental approach.

My own experience with therapy began years ago and I did not know that I had a choice of finding someone I can connect with. Someone with similar background, beliefs and values would have benefited me greatly and I would have felt understood. I believe the client - therapist relationship should be honored and feel comfortable and not pressured. We will work together, speak about your challenges and come up with the right resources and tools so that you are in charge of your healing.

My interest is in family systems, intergenerational trauma, personal relationships, and anxiety. In my training I have learned about reflective processes, Gestalt observation and other methods that I value in both my personal and professional relationships. We can work with all of these tools and determine what’s best for you in order to implement them in your life. We will work at your pace and direction.

In my downtime, I enjoy cooking, yoga, Reiki healing, exercise, learning and the company of family and friends. English is my first language and I also can communicate in Punjabi.

I hate writing bios! You might be thinking what a weird way to start one but that’s who I am. I am direct, honest and I like to speak to what I am experiencing at the moment. This is also how I am as a counsellor and I think this is why I’m a good counsellor. Throughout most of my life, I felt uncomfortable like I didn’t fit in. That I wasn’t wanted. That I didn’t belong. It was a very lonely and painful place to be. The journey through that pain to the other side, a place where I feel free to be me is what helps me help other people.

As a counsellor, I work at creating a space where you feel that you belong. A space that is safe and welcoming and inclusive. A place where you are free to find out who you and to explore who that is and share it. If this is something that you feel would help you on your journey out of your dark places I hope you will reach out and let me know how I can help.

I’m also the owner of Helps Counselling? I picked this name because A) I like to help people and B) it’s my last name.