top of page
Alejs standing in front of the Stawamus Chief

My approach

My relationally-oriented somatic approach to psychotherapy is informed by emergent research on attachment and neurophysiology. Clients who work with me can expect a curious invitation to reconnect and attend to the wisdom inherent in the body. My goal is to support clients in finding creative ways to make sense of and move through distressing experiences related to trauma and/or stresses of daily living. 

​

I work with older youth and adults of all genders struggling with a broad range of challenges including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, sustaining healthy relationships, sexualized violence, gender identity, and sexuality.  My genuine warmth, humour, care, and curiosity play a big role in my counselling approach. It’s important to me that my clients feel at ease and well-supported when digging into difficult themes. I want to help clients gain confidence and learn practical approaches to exploring the places and parts of themselves where they feel stuck or lost.

 

I work collaboratively to better understand and approach the struggles in my clients' lives as well as to encourage and harness their inherent strength and resilience. I welcome and celebrate the full spectrum of human experience. I’m excited to share in your journey of getting to know yourself better, in all your complexity.

 

Reaching out for help is a brave step towards a better relationship with yourself; counselling will help guide your journey towards a deeper, more compassionate relationship with yourself. It is common for the process to feel vulnerable and uncomfortable. I will meet you at whatever stage you are at in your personal process.

​

A bit more about me…

 

I am a white, non-binary latinx settler on the unceded and occupied territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I have lived in British Columbia since my family immigrated from Paraguay when I was 11 years old. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me rock climbing somewhere in the forests of Squamish, BC. 

 

 

Selected Education & Training:​

  • Advanced Practices in Somatic Attachment Psychotherapy one year training with Lisa Mortimore, PhD

  • Somatic Attachment Psychotherapy two year training with Lisa Mortimore, PhD

  •  Master of Education in Counselling Psychology, UBC

  • Center for Mindful Self-Compassion Two-day Core Skills Training with Dr. Kristen Neff, PhD & Dr. Chris Germer, PhD

  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy - In contact with Complex PTSD clients: The relational alchemy of healing long standing wounds with Dr. Rochelle Sharpe Lohrasbe, PhD

  • UBC Massive Open Online Course 6-week course (MOOC) - Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education

  • Vancouver Couple & Family Institute and Centre for EFT Training - Introduction to EFT with Couples with Richard Harrison, PhD

  • The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine - How to Use the Wisdom of the Body to Heal Trauma with Pat Ogden, PhD

  • Vancouver Couple & Family Institute and Centre for EFT Training - AEDP: An Overview from the Ground Up with Richard Harrison, PhD

  • AEDP Institute - AEDP Online Learning: Intro to AEDP with Diana Fosha, PhD

  • The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine - Treating Trauma Master Series with Leading Trauma Experts

  • Northwest Behavioural Health IPA - When the Body Says No: Mind/Body Unity and the Stress-Disease Connection with Gabor Maté, MD

bottom of page