Frequently Asked Questions

Many people experience anxiety without a clear trigger. Often, this is because the nervous system is stuck in high alert (fight/flight) from chronic stress, burnout, past trauma, or ongoing emotional strain.
Anxiety isn’t always about “thinking wrong” — sometimes it’s about a body that has learned to anticipate danger. Trauma-informed therapy helps your system feel safe again.

Trauma isn’t defined only by what happened — it’s also about how your nervous system was impacted. Trauma can come from:

• abuse

• neglect

• bullying

• medical trauma

• accidents

• witnessing violence

• sudden loss

• childhood emotional invalidation

• systemic/identity-based harm

Signs may include hypervigilance, nightmares, emotional shutdown, people-pleasing, intense shame, dissociation, or feeling “stuck.”

Yes. Trauma commonly shows up as anxiety and physical symptoms, including:

• stomach issues, nausea, IBS-like symptoms

• chronic tension

• sleep disruption

• headaches

• panic

• fatigue

• feeling “wired but tired”

This isn’t “in your head.” It’s a nervous system pattern — and therapy can help your body learn safety again.

Disordered eating includes patterns like restriction, bingeing, purging, obsessive calorie tracking, body checking, or emotional eating — even if it doesn’t meet diagnostic criteria.
An eating disorder (like anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID) is diagnosed based on clinical patterns and severity.

Either way: you deserve care. You don’t need to “be sick enough” to get help.

Binge eating is often not about a lack of willpower. It can be a response to:

• restriction/dieting

• emotional overwhelm

• trauma-related coping

• nervous system dysregulation

• shame cycles

• deprivation (physical or emotional)

Many clients binge because their body is trying to protect them — from hunger, stress, or emotional pain.

Body image is deeply connected to anxiety, depression, trauma, and self-worth. When body shame is intense, people often experience:

• avoidance of social events

• obsessive checking

• shame spirals

• isolation

• disordered eating patterns

Healing body image isn’t about learning to “love your body” overnight — it’s about building body neutrality, trust, and safety.

My approach reflects my values as a therapist: compassion, authenticity, humility, and a grounded sense of humour. I believe in a strong therapeutic alliance, because it’s within a trusting relationship that meaningful change becomes possible. I balance being direct and honest while staying deeply caring, accepting, and non-judgmental. I’ll support you in looking closely at patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and I’ll gently challenge you toward meaningful, lasting change.

My intention is to offer a space where you feel calm, safe, and understood — a place where you can face your hardest moments, build on your strengths, and move toward a more fulfilling life and healthier relationships. Through a collaborative process and tailored interventions, we’ll work together to create the foundation you need to thrive.

Booking is simple. You can book your appointment online through our secure booking system on the Oak & Rose Counselling website. Choose your service, select a time that works for you, and complete the intake details. If you have questions or aren’t sure what to book, you’re also welcome to contact us and we’ll help guide you.