Registered Counsellor
Hi, I'm Rachelle (she/her).
I am a counsellor/relationship therapist with a Master of Counselling and a Bachelor of Psychology. I currently focus on supporting individuals (aged 18+), couples, and those that engage in ethical non-monogamy (e.g., polyamorous relationships).
Many of the people I work with come to relationship counselling with no previous experience in therapy. To help with the inevitable nerves of the therapy experience I follow the pace you are comfortable with, fostering a space of safety in our work together. I approach the work we will do from an attachment framework and draw from approaches including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Person Centred Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I strive to support clients in tapping into their own authenticity and explore what is valuable to them.
I broadly put my therapy interests into three camps, dealing with issues of fire and ice (i.e., relational conflict ordistance), issues concerning intimacy (both emotional and sexual), and the exploration of identity.
Fire and Ice
When couples come to the decision of seeking therapy, it tends to be due to tension (fire) or distance (ice). I’ll often hear them cite communication as the primary aspect they wish to improve in their relationship, whether that means seeking to increase closeness in how they communicate or to explore how to “fight better” (i.e., without contempt or nastiness). Over time, we will aim to de-escalate the patterns that are present in the relationship, understand how these patterns developed, and use this new understanding to shift to different ways of communicating and connecting with one another.
Intimacy
The majority of relationship distress or distance can occur as a result of feeling disconnected with our partner, and seeking more relational, emotional, and sexual intimacy with them. Oftentimes, each of these forms of intimacy is influenced by the others, and it is important that we take a holistic approach to improving and increasing connection. I see couples of all ages, at any stage of their relationship, and have helped couples through pre-marital counselling as well as those looking to co-parent after a separation. I am curious to learn your story and hope to create a space where your honesty and authenticity is met with validation and support.
Identity
I have a particular passion for helping individuals and those in relationships to explore their identity. This could be their sexual or gender identity, relational identity (e.g., ethical non-monogamy, monogamish), or be about acceptance of other parts of their identity (e.g.,being neurodivergent or a part of a minority group).
My work is inclusive of all relationship styles (polyamory, non-monogamy, monogamish), is LGBTQIA+ welcoming, kink affirming, and sex worker allied. It is equally important that I gain an understanding of what these words mean to you, and what your lived experience has been within these spaces.
