Sonder Roots Psychotherapy
Honouring your story. Making space for all that shaped you.
Sonder is the quiet realization that every person you encounter is living a life as complex and layered as your own.
Roots speak to where you come from—your history, relationships, culture, and experiences that continue to shape how you move through the world.
At Sonder Roots Psychotherapy, I hold space for both.
I honour the depth of your inner world while gently exploring the roots that have influenced who you are today. Therapy here is not about fixing you—it’s about understanding you, with compassion, curiosity, and respect for your pace. There is no pressure to explain everything perfectly, or have it all figured out. You’re invited to show up as you are, while we gently explore where you’ve been, what you need now, and where you hope to be.
You are the expert in your own life. My role is to walk alongside you as you reconnect with yourself, build tools for the present, and create meaning from your experiences.
I respectfully acknowledge that I live, work, and gather on the traditional and unceded territories of the Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as, and Stzuminus First Nations.
My Approach
My counselling approach is person‑centered, non‑judgmental, and trauma‑informed. I believe healing happens through relationship, curiosity, and collaboration—not through labels or clinical jargon. Therapy with me focuses on empowerment, practical support, and reconnecting with your inner wisdom, while honouring your lived experiences and pace.
A central part of my work is somatic and nervous system‑informed therapy. Many challenges—such as anxiety, trauma, stress, and relationship concerns—are held in the body as much as the mind. In our work together, we’ll gently explore how your nervous system responds to safety, stress, connection, and change. This work may involve tuning into subtle cues, learning to track states of activation or shutdown, and gradually building your capacity to feel more grounded, present, and regulated in everyday life and relationships. We move slowly and at your pace, following what feels possible rather than forcing insight or change.
I offer an integrative, client‑centered approach to counselling, recognizing there is no one‑size‑fits‑all path to healing. My work is culturally responsive and tailored to your values and goals. Drawing from various evidence‑based approaches including: somatic attachment psychotherapy, person‑centered therapy, strengths‑based and solution‑focused therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) (among others). I collaboratively support meaningful, sustainable change. Mindfulness and self‑compassion practices are woven throughout our work to foster awareness, resilience, and self‑trust.
Education & Training
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Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology - Yorkville University
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Somatic Attachment Psychotherapy (in progress) - Bringing the Body Into Practice
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First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training - Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services
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San'Yas Core Indigenous Cultural Safety Justice Training - Provincial Health Services Authority in BC
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Trauma Informed Practice Training: Level 1 - Trauma Informed Practice Institute
Areas of Focus
A compassionate, attuned space to explore the impacts of distressing or overwhelming experiences in a way that prioritizes safety, collaboration, and nervous system healing. This approach recognizes that trauma affects everyone differently and that healing is non‑linear, paced, and rooted in building regulation, stability, and trust.
Anxiety can show up in many ways—racing thoughts, constant worry, tension in the body, or a sense of being stuck in survival mode. Therapy for anxiety offers a supportive space to slow things down, understand what’s happening beneath the surface, and develop tools that help you feel more grounded and in control.
Depression can feel heavy and isolating. We can explore what you’re experiencing and develop gentle, practical ways to cope—helping you reconnect with hope, self‑compassion, and your sense of self.
Relationships can be a powerful source of connection and support—and they can also be a place where patterns of hurt, misunderstanding, or disconnection show up. Whether you’re navigating communication challenges, boundaries, conflict, trust issues, life transitions, or feeling emotionally distant from a partner, we can slow things down and make sense of what’s happening.
Life transitions can bring uncertainty, stress, or a sense of loss—even when the change is welcome. Therapy offers a supportive space to process what’s shifting, reconnect with yourself, and build tools to navigate change with greater clarity, resilience, and self‑compassion.
Time away from work can bring up stress, guilt, and uncertainty. Whether you’re currently on leave or still working, but feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to navigate it alone. If you’re on leave, we can gently explore your experiences, build effective coping skills, manage stress, and support you in planning a return to work that feels sustainable and respectful of your needs. If you’re still at work and struggling, we can focus on practical and emotional strategies to help you navigate workplace challenges with greater confidence and care.
Get In Touch
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a virtual counseling session, please feel free to reach out. I'm here to support you on your journey towards healing and growth. I offer a free 20 minute discovery call to ensure we are a good fit.
Sonder Roots Psychotherapy
Nanaimo, BC, Virtual Across British Columbia
Virtual Sessions Only at This Time
Email: hello@sonder-roots.com
Tel: 250-802-2926
