My Approach

I have many years of experience working collaboratively with individuals who are struggling with problematic sexual interests and behaviours.
My approach is client-centered in recognition that all individuals are unique and have a diverse range of needs.
Building a strong therapeutic alliance based on trust and confidentiality is essential for any therapy to be effective.
Clients are made aware of the limits to confidentiality (e.g., imminent risk of harm to self or other, current risk of abuse to a child or vulnerable adult, court subpoena).
Clients are aware that their participation is fully voluntary, and that they may withdraw from services at any point.
My therapeutic style is warm, compassionate, non-judgemental, and collaborative.
My fee for online therapy is $225/hour, as per the Psychologists' Association of Alberta recommended fee guidelines.Payment is collected at the time of your appointment, via an automated payment system. Cancellations within 24-hours will be charged $100.Fees for registered psychologists are often partially covered by private or company insurance plans.Fees for psychological services are tax deductible as a medical expense.

Minor Attracted Persons

Minor Attracted Persons (MAPs) are a diverse group of individuals who are emotionally and sexually attracted to children or underage adolescents. Many, perhaps most, MAPs will never offend sexually against a child or access child sexual exploitation materials (CSEM).
MAPs do not choose to be attracted to minors, but they can choose to never act on the attraction.
There are empirically-supported therapeutic approaches to help individuals come to terms with, and effectively manage, their attraction to minors.
Unfortunately, stigma, shame, and fear of rejection may result in MAPs feeling isolated and unable to discuss their struggle. Fear of judgment, and/or uncertainly regarding mandatory reporting laws, often leaves MAPs with few places to turn for professional support and guidance. Although many MAPs are confident that they will never offend sexually against a minor, they would nevertheless benefit from effective approaches aimed at managing their attraction to minors.
Importantly, MAPs may have mental health problems and life challenges apart from their issues around sexual attraction, but unfortunately, this issue could deter MAPs from accessing general mental health services.
MAPs, like all individuals, deserve the opportunity to access mental health services, without needing to hide parts of themselves.

Sex Addiction

Compulsive Sexual Behaviour (CSB), sometimes referred to as 'sex addiction', refers to compulsive sexual behaviour that persists despite causing harm. Any sexual behaviour can become the focus (e.g., excessive masturbation, mainstream pornography, illegal pornography, cybersex, chat-lines, prostitution, infidelity, casual sex, internet dating, exhibitionism, voyeurism, sexual sadism or masochism, sexual fetishism, etc). It is not the specific behaviour per se, but the relationship to that behaviour, that defines the problem.
Specifically, individuals struggling with CSB become preoccupied with their sexual outlet. Overtime, the behaviour typically escalates as tolerance develops (e.g, more extreme content/behaviour, or more time/resources needed to attain a desired outcome). Individuals feel driven to engage in the behaviour, despite overt harm to self and others (e.g., guilt, shame, depression, anxiety, secrecy, threat of relationship loss, damage to reputation, risk of legal sanctions, job loss, etc). The individual perceives a loss of control over the behaviour, and may have made repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop or alter the behaviour. Often the anticipation of reward grossly outweighs the actual pleasure derived from the activity, yet the cycle persists.
Healing from CSB requires a holistic approach that recognizes developmental and situational factors that contribute to cycles of compulsivity (e.g. attachment, intimacy issues, trauma). Understanding the origin or function of the behaviour, and the underlying neurobiology, allows the individual to learn new coping skills and create effective self-management strategies.