Who Am I?

We all go through periods when life feels overwhelming, when old patterns no longer seem to work, or when we simply need help making sense of what we are experiencing. I believe that counselling can provide help with whatever life throws our way.

My journey as a counsellor began with being an educator, a professional musician, and a nature enthusiast. I learned how to help people make sense of things, I became an empathetic and responsive listener, and I realized how important it is to be adaptive when things don’t go the way we expect. I learned that our relationships, experiences, environments, and identities can shape the ways we understand ourselves and the world around us, and that communication, self-expression and connection with the natural world can support our well-being and sense of self. I know what it’s like to experience anxiety, grief and loss, stress, overwhelm, prejudice, and feel like no one understands.

Reaching out for support can take courage, especially when we have spent much of our lives feeling that we should be able to figure things out ourselves. I believe that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but an important part of caring for ourselves and part of a healthy community.

Beginning therapy can feel uncertain, but you don’t have to have everything figured out before booking your first session. Sometimes the most important step is the first one.

Working With Me

Therapy with me isn’t about having all the answers or becoming a different person - it’s about creating a space to better understand yourself and find what works for you. There is no single right therapy, and there is no one size-fits all.

In our sessions, you are the expert on your own life. My role is to listen, offer perspectives and tools, and work with you to understand what you need and what might help. I bring a sense of humour and levity, authenticity, and compassionate curiosity. My adaptive approach is based in acceptance and commitment therapy, solution-focused therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and creative and nature-based approaches.

I am here to do my very best to help you with whatever you’re going through. Together, we can explore what is happening in your life, make sense of what you’re experiencing, and identify meaningful steps forward.

Who Am I? We all go through periods when life feels overwhelming, when old patterns no longer se... Read More

Who Am I?

Hi! I’m Elisha and if you’re here reading this, you’re taking a brave first step on your healing journey, which was me once upon a time.

My first experience with therapy is ultimately what brought me to this work. I’ll never forget what it felt like to sit across from someone and feel completely heard and seen during a time when I was struggling. That experience changed my life and, eventually, the direction of my career as well.

If you decide to plunk down across from me, that will be my goal first and foremost: to help you know that I’m here to listen, hold space, and see you through both your strengths and your adversities. I aim to meet you where you are, through all stages and seasons of life. You can expect me to be there to laugh when you need someone to laugh with, be an anchor when you need solid ground to stand on and help you hold onto some of the many balls that might be looming over your head.

In my own life, I wear many hats—as a wife, mom, student, caregiver, and more. Those different roles have shaped the way I see people and the challenges they carry. They remind me that there is rarely just one thing happening beneath the surface.

Outside of the therapy room, you can usually find me running! Running to clear my head, running after little people, running after farm animals, and occasionally just running because there never seems to be enough time in my day. I love being outside, spending time with my family, and finding humour in the ordinary chaos of everyday life.

Working With Me

I think those parts of my own life also shape the way I show up as a therapist. I believe in looking at the whole person when someone comes to therapy because our relationships, responsibilities, histories, environments, identities, and experiences all influence how we move through the world. Understanding those different layers can help us make better sense of what is happening and what kind of support might actually be helpful.

My undergraduate background is in Child and Youth Care, which gave me the opportunity to learn about children, youth, families, development, relationships, and the systems that surround them. Being a parent myself has added another layer to that understanding and has given me a very real appreciation for both the joy and the complexity that can come with raising children. I feel that this helps me connect with both parents and kids in a genuine and practical way, while still recognizing that every family and every person brings a different experience into the room.

My previous work within the vulnerable sector has also allowed me to sit alongside people through some incredibly difficult circumstances. Through that work, I have witnessed not only the adversity people can experience, but also the strength, resilience, and resourcefulness they can carry alongside it. Those experiences have shaped the way I approach counselling. I don’t want to look at someone and only see what has happened to them, what they are struggling with, or a list of symptoms. I want to understand the person underneath all of that too—including what has helped them get to where they are, what matters to them, and what they already bring to the table. I truly believe that when we are struggling, we can forget to see those things in ourselves, and part of my goal is to help you recognize your own strengths when you’re having trouble seeing them.

I would describe my approach as genuine, honest, empathetic, and strength-based. The therapeutic relationship comes first for me. I want therapy to feel like a place where you don’t have to perform, have all the answers, or even know exactly where to begin. Some conversations may be heavy, and some may involve looking at things from a different angle, but my hope is that you feel supported and understood throughout the process.

Ultimately, I want to meet you wherever you are and whatever brings you through the door with curiosity, honesty, and compassion. Whether you’re carrying something heavy, feeling stuck, navigating change, trying to better understand yourself, or simply realizing that something in your life needs to shift, we can start there—with you in the driver’s seat.

My hope is that you leave our conversations feeling a little more understood, a little more grounded, and a little less alone in whatever you are carrying.

Who Am I? Hi! I’m Elisha and if you’re here reading this, you’re taking a brave first step on yo... Read More

Who Am I?

“If that’s a joke, I love it. If not, can’t wait to unpack that with you later.” — Ted Lasso

Hi, I’m Amanda! I’m a counselling intern at Dóchas, and I feel genuinely grateful when someone trusts me enough to share their story with me.

I believe there is value in having someone willing to sit in the mud with you, without rushing to pull you out of it. I also want to be there for the wins, the laughter, and the moments when you begin to recognize yourself again. Life can be incredibly heavy, but I don’t think healing always has to be.

I’m especially drawn to helping people reconnect with parts of themselves that can get lost along the way: curiosity, creativity, connection, play, and whimsy.

Outside of work, I enjoy art projects, audiobooks, staying active, spending time with the people I love, and life with my three-legged dog. I also have a longstanding appreciation for good humour and (arguably) too much cheese.

Working With Me

I’m interested in working with youth, adults, couples, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

I believe you are the expert on your own life. You don’t need to come to therapy knowing exactly what is wrong, what you need, or where you want to go. We can figure that out together.

My hope is to create a space where you can show up as you are. We might sit with something difficult, get curious about a pattern that keeps showing up, find a different way of looking at an old story, or explore what brings more meaning, connection, and joy into your life. I value collaboration and want therapy to feel like something we are doing together.

As an intern, I’m grateful to be learning from the Dóchas team and from the clients who choose to work with me. I bring curiosity, compassion, humour, and interest in understanding the person sitting across from me.

There is room here for the difficult parts of being human, and for the good ones too.

Who Am I? “If that’s a joke, I love it. If not, can’t wait to unpack that with you later.” — Ted... Read More

Who Am I?

Let’s face it: life can be really challenging at times. But I truly believe that human beings have an extraordinary capacity for learning, growth and change. That’s where therapy comes in.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been passionate about learning and as a therapist, I am passionate about helping others learn more about themselves and the world around them. My goal is to create a safe space where you can explore your experiences, gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and develop the skills you need to handle whatever life throws at you with more confidence, resilience, and success.

My hope is that through therapy, you’ll discover your best life. And, a meaningful life. Because we all deserve that!

Working With Me

I said it above and I’ll say it again: life can be really challenging at times. And, even though you might be able to handle things on your own, that doesn’t mean you should have to. My goal is to make sure you know that you do not have to go through things alone!

Whatever you are struggling with, wouldn’t it be easier if you had a little extra support?

Sometimes you need someone who won’t judge. Or, you need someone to just listen to your experience. Or, someone who truly tries to understand things from your perspective. Sometimes you need someone to help you find our way, whether that’s helping you figure out where you want to go, or even how you want to get there. Sometimes you need someone to offer an alternate perspective, or to present an option that you didn’t even know existed. And, sometimes you just need someone who’s on your side, supporting you every step of the way, making sure you are not going through it alone.

As a practicum intern, I can be that someone. And I’d be happy to help.

Who Am I? Let’s face it: life can be really challenging at times. But I truly believe that human... Read More