I work with individuals from all faith, ethnicity, cultural and gender backgrounds, practicing cultural humility and strengths based interviewing combined with expressive and insight oriented therapies.
My career passions are helping individuals overcome traumatic experiences, as well as de-stigmatizing mental health for individuals of minority backgrounds. I take great pride in helping individuals find their confidence in harnessing their actualized value systems within their unique intersectional cultural contexts.
My aim is to help individuals identify their meaning and purpose and actualize their daring dreams for themselves in regards to their personal lives, careers, relationships, and hobbies and interests.
Through compassion and curiosity I help clients expand their perspectives about themselves as well as their past experiences, and seek to bridge connection between unconscious blocks originating from the past to difficulties experienced in the present.
I work from a client-centred, positive psychology background, integrating psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, emotion-focused and acceptance and commitment cognitive-behavioural therapies. I practice from an attachment and transference informed lens, meaning we will continually checkin about how you feel about your therapy and Marcus as a therapist, to ensure we are maintaining an optimal working alliance that best serves your unique needs.
I have a Master’s in Counselling and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC #22430), as well as CCPA (11244439) and CRPO (Ontario 14963). I am a current student at the Toronto Psychoanalytic Society and Institute pursuing advanced accreditation in psychoanalytic psychotherapys, and come from a background in exercise kinesiology and holistic wellness coaching. I am also an accredited coach for individuals who identify as having intellectual disabilities.
Additionally I hold Level 1 Emotion Focussed Individual Therapy and Level 2 Complex Trauma Therapy certificates.
My philosophy is that everyone needs a confidant.
Whether life is going to plan, is an enigmatic disaster, or anywhere in between, having a safe space to work through our thoughts, express ourselves safely and grow is essential. Admitting that we need help can be challenging. Instead, I believe in having support ready, and in your tool belt, for all of life’s moments.
I think it is just as important to unpack and acknowledge the high moments in life as it is the burdensome.
It is my belief that the therapeutic process allows space for the entire spectrum of emotions and I often use humour, or self-love practices to bring light into this precious work. I am a passionate believer in healing, I am sex positive, and I enjoy walking alongside my clients with an insatiable curiosity as they journey through the winding road called life.
We all face many barriers as we try to live our fullest lives: trauma, low sex drive, emotional dysregulation, systemic pressures, anxiety, depression, toxic family systems, abuse, addiction, etc. At times it may feel like you have lost yourself.
With my academic background in low sexual desire, empowerment, sex positive feminism, sociology, arts & cultural management, anti-diet culture education, yoga, expressive arts, and group therapy, I believe that together we can create the space for you to reconnect with your sense of self, create ongoing safety, and work towards long term sustainable wellness.
I am committed to continuing my education and ensuring you are given the best care possible for your needs.
Life is The Forever Journey, it would be an absolute honour to be a part of yours.
