If you’re here, there’s a good chance something in your life feels difficult right now.

Hi I’m Derian (he/him)

For over 20 years, I’ve worked with youth and adults who feel stuck in patterns they don’t fully understand.

Many of the people I work with are thoughtful and self-aware. They’ve spent years trying to make sense of their struggles, yet still feel pulled back into the same reactions, emotions, or ways of coping.

One of the most important things I’ve learned is that our struggles usually make sense when we understand where they came from.

The ways we cope, protect ourselves, or disconnect often began as strategies that helped us survive something difficult. Over time, though, those same strategies can start to get in the way of the life we want.

Therapy can be a place to slow down, explore those patterns with compassion, and begin developing new ways of relating to yourself and others.

My Approach

My work is trauma-informed, relational, and collaborative.

Together we explore how your experiences have shaped the ways you think, feel, and relate to others. We also focus on building new ways of responding to difficult emotions, memories, and situations.

I aim to bring empathy, curiosity, and sometimes humour into the work we do together. Therapy can involve difficult conversations, but it can also be a place of relief, insight, and connection.

My goal is to create a space where you feel safe enough to show up as you are.

My Values

I am committed to creating a counselling space that is:

  • Trauma-informed

  • Anti-oppressive and anti-racist

  • LGBTQ2+ allied

  • Neurodiversity affirming

  • Committed to decolonizing practice

People’s struggles are shaped not only by personal experiences but also by the systems and communities they live within. I aim to practice in a way that respects those realities.

Modalities At A Glance

  • (Internal Family Systems, Structural Dissociation, Observed & Experiential Integration)

    Helps you understand and integrate the different “parts” of yourself that may have developed to cope with trauma, promoting self-cohesion, emotional regulation, and presence.

  • (Somatic Therapy, Mindfulness & Meditation)

    Focuses on the body and present-moment awareness to release tension, regulate the nervous system, and process stored emotions safely.

  • (Narrative Therapy, Cohesive Therapy)

    Examines the stories you tell about yourself and helps rewrite and integrate them into a coherent, empowering narrative that supports healing, self-understanding, and personal growth.

  • (Dialectical Behavior Therapy - DBT)

    Provides practical tools to manage overwhelming emotions, tolerate distress, and improve relationships in daily life.

If You’re Considering Therapy

Starting therapy can feel like a big step.

If you’re curious about working together, I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can connect, talk about what you're hoping for, and see if it feels like a good fit.