Hi I’m Karen.
I’m a therapist who believes the ways we react, cope, and relate to others makes sense, even when they leave us feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected.
Many of the people I work with appear to have it together on the outside while inside they feel anxious, emotionally overwhelmed, and exhausted from carrying so much for so long.
They may find themselves overthinking, people-pleasing, shutting down, or repeating the same painful patterns in relationships. Often, these patterns developed as ways of staying connected, safe, or needed.
Many clients come to therapy frustrated because they’ve already tried to figure things out, yet their reactions still keep showing up. That’s because these patterns don’t only live in the mind, they also live in the body and nervous system.
Real change happens when we begin working with these patterns more deeply, helping you feel calmer, more connected, and more able to trust yourself without over-functioning to stay close to others.
I support adults, teens, and couples in Ottawa and Manotick, as well as online across Ontario. I’m EMDR-trained and integrate attachment-based, somatic, parts work, EFT-informed, and trauma-informed approaches into my work.
Why I work this way
Through both my clinical work and lived experience, I’ve seen that relationship anxiety isn’t just about thinking differently. Often, it’s rooted in patterns your body learned in order to survive, stay connected, or feel safe.
If being the steady one, the fixer, or the responsible one became tied to love or security, your system may stay on alert even when you consciously understand the pattern. You can recognize the self-sacrifice and still find it hard to relax or let go.
That’s because these responses aren’t flaws. They’re survival strategies your nervous system learned over time.
In therapy, we don’t just talk about the pattern, we work toward helping your system experience something different: safety without over-functioning, connection without losing yourself, and calm without self-abandonment.
This is where real change begins.
My approach
In therapy with me, we don’t rush to fix. We start by helping your nervous system feel safe enough to settle.
We slow down. We build steadiness first with awareness and self-compassion.
From there, anxiety and overwhelm don’t have to be fought, they begin to soften on their own.
How I work in therapy
Therapy with me is collaborative, relational, and tailored to your unique needs and experiences.
Together, we slow things down and make sense of the patterns underneath your reactions, especially the ones that keep showing up in relationships, stress, or moments of overwhelm.
I integrate attachment-based, somatic (body-based), parts work, EFT-informed, cognitive, EMDR, and trauma-informed approaches to help you understand what’s underneath your reactions and begin responding differently.
Rather than pushing through or judging your reactions, we work to understand what your system has learned over time and help it begin responding with more flexibility, connection, and ease.
What it’s like to work with me
Clients often describe therapy with me as grounding, steady, and supportive, a space where they don’t have to perform, explain everything perfectly, or hold it all together.
You don’t need the right words or a clear starting point. Together, we make sense of what you’re experiencing and work toward a way of relating to yourself and others that feels calmer, more connected, and more sustainable.
Many of the people I support are thoughtful, capable, and deeply self-aware. They’re not just looking for insight, they want to feel different in their day-to-day lives and relationships.
Training & Credentials
I’m a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) offering in-person therapy in Ottawa and Manotick, as well as virtual therapy across Ontario.
I hold a Master’s degree in Counselling and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Ottawa. I’m also EMDR-trained and integrate attachment-based, somatic, parts work, EFT-informed, cognitive, and trauma-informed approaches into my work.
In-Person & Online Therapy
I offer in-person therapy in Manotick, just outside Ottawa, as well as virtual therapy across Ontario for adults and teens seeking individual or couples therapy for anxiety, relationship stress, emotional overwhelm, depression, trauma, and people-pleasing patterns.
When you come to my Manotick office, you’ll likely be greeted by Vinny, my calm and friendly dog. He’s often nearby during sessions, and many clients find his quiet presence comforting and grounding.
If what you’ve read here resonates, you’re welcome to book a free 15-minute consultation to see if working together feels like a good fit.
Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation
A simple next step
