Alensia Ma

You know all the things you should do, you have tried everyone's suggestions and are in a spiral of problem solving. Things may be slightly improving but there is still an emptiness; for some reason you feel like you will always be broken. The core of my work is challenging this idea and finding a way back to connection and self. You are not broken, but this world can be too shallow and unsafe for all your parts, so why would they ever feel like they can come out of the shadow? To create a significant and lasting shift in your emotional world requires a space that allows for depth, exploration and acceptance. This is what you can expect in the room with me, a space where together we can collaborate on reconnecting all those shattered pieces. 

Often we experience significant relational wounds in childhood, that create patterns of survival based behavior that can feel impossible to shake off. For those wounds we need relational healing. My capacity as a therapist lies in my ability to sit with and contain all that comes up as we take control of your life's narrative and move in a direction of thriving. I am someone that will work with you long term, address early attachment wounds and promote empowerment.

I currently work in concurrent disorders, complex trauma and substance use and continue to receive intensive supervision and training in this area. I have experience working with those in recovery, with various mood and personality disorders, and those with complex PTSD. My area of practice is depth oriented, relational psychotherapy that is supplemented with practical DBT skills. I often guide clients to authenticity and healing with parts work, inner child work, externalization exercises, psychoeducation and somatic awareness. 

For those interested in this particular type of therapy, I also offer a unique method of self exploration that involves building metaphors and understanding through the stories, characters and media that resonate strongly with you. Whether it be literature, film, comics, video games or television, these modern forms of mythology can be a powerful way to explore the themes and challenges in your day to day life. 

For those looking to get to the core of their pain instead of just managing the symptoms, I offer in personal sessions on Commercial Drive as well as online. Feel free to reach out by phone or email if you have any other questions.