Email robyn@blossomcounsellingcentre.com to schedule an appointment

Robyn is a white-settler, cis gender, straight woman who has observed and experienced how using external expectations to define one’s body and personhood can be harmful to one’s self-esteem. She then began to consider both the personal and structural impacts of anti-fat bias and diet culture in her daily life. She works with clients to examine if expectations to look, act and heal in “normal” ways are incompatible with their values, experiences or goals. She is interested in exploring the stories that we tell about our bodies and consider the possibilities of generating affirming stories supported by client autonomy and consent.

Robyn’s approach is grounded in trauma-informed, anti-oppressive narrative counselling and informed by theories of harm reduction and body liberation. She embraces an integrative approach to therapy that highlights reconnecting with pleasure and creative endeavours, which are aspects of our lives that are often the first to be forgotten when experiencing stress.

Robyn has experience working with adults and post-secondary students. She is also a self-proclaimed Korean drama enthusiast/expert, a novice blogger and a reader of insufferable memoirs.

Email robyn@blossomcounsellingcentre.com to schedule an appointment Robyn is a white-settler, ci... Read More

Candace is a cis, white, middle class woman living in a larger body and has an ADHD brain. She is the mother of 3 children with both ADHD and learning disabilities. Her work is grounded in anti-oppressive, anti-racist and feminist approaches. She works through an intersectional and social justice lens. She works with clients using compassion and curiosity to understand challenges through not only an internal perspective but also an external perspective.

Her training and experience includes motivational interviewing, feminist therapy, cognitive and dialectical behavioural therapy and solution focused therapy among others. She has specific training in executive functioning, trauma, anxiety, depression and substance use. She uses a variety of modalities and tools to help clients achieve their goals.

When Candace is not working with clients, she is spending time with her children, partner and 2 cats. She loves to read and learn. You can normally find her hyper-focused in a new training via podcast, webinar, book or article.

Areas of Interest: ADHD Body Image Self-esteem Stress Anxiety/Depression Life Transitions Parenting

Ages 15+

Candace is a cis, white, middle class woman living in a larger body and has an ADHD brain. She is... Read More

Skye is a white, genderqueer, bi, and self-identified fat person with lived experience of mental health and body shame struggles. Skye believes that everybody and every body is inherently worthy, that people are the experts on themselves, and that supportive community is a powerful way to heal. As a trauma-informed practitioner, they aim for a safe therapeutic space that is centered around consent, choice, and autonomy. They are particularly passionate about working with folks who want to reject diet culture and anti-fat bias, and improve their relationship with their bodies, food, and themselves.

Skye works from an anti-oppressive and social justice-oriented perspective, grounded in body liberation and intersectional feminism. Skye uses a variety of approaches in their work which include self-compassion, mindful noticing of thoughts, emotions, and sensations, and embodied (or somatic) practices.

When Skye isn’t working, they are spending time in fat community, trying not to get cat fur into their knitting, dancing in their living room, and spending time amongst trees.

Skye is a white, genderqueer, bi, and self-identified fat person with lived experience of mental ... Read More

Christine McPhail (She/Her)

Christine is a white, queer, straight-sized, cis-woman with lived experience of mental health struggles. Her practice is grounded in principles of inclusivity, anti-oppression, trauma-informed care, and weight inclusivity. Christine is 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodiversity affirming.

Christine practices an integrative approach to therapy using the humanistic approach as a foundation combined with cognitive and behavioural/third-wave approaches, narrative and feminist approaches. As a dietitian, Christine uses anti-diet and weight-inclusive approaches.

Christine’s area of interest are: 2SLGBTQIA+ concerns, anxiety, eating disorders/disordered eating, body image, identity and life transitions.

When Christine isn’t actively fighting diet culture, she enjoys dancing (ballet in particular), practicing yoga/meditation, reading, painting, colouring, watching TV and movies, writing, hiking, and exploring the local food, event and art scenes!

Christine McPhail (She/Her) Christine is a white, queer, straight-sized, cis-woman with lived ex... Read More

Lori is a white, thin, queer woman with lived experience in mental health and autoimmune disease states. Her approach to nutrition counselling aims to be weight-inclusive, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and queer identifying/affirming. Lori believes that every body deserves care and respect and values consent and choice when working with others. Lori will support you as you break free from diet culture and work to heal your relationship with food and body. When Lori is not working or completing her studies you can often find her driving her 2 children to one of their various sports. You will almost always find a coffee in her hand and she is always ready for an adventure.

Lori is a white, thin, queer woman with lived experience in mental health and autoimmune disease ... Read More

Josée is a white, French Canadian, thin, bi, and genderqueer woman with lived experience of mental health struggles and neurodivergence (ADHD). Her practice is grounded in principles of trauma-informed care, social justice, fat positivity, and person-centered care. They aim to offer compassionate and non-judgmental support as people navigate their relationship with themselves, their brains, food, and their bodies. They deeply believe that you are not broken, and that all parts of you are valid and welcome.

Josée uses a variety of therapy approaches to support clients, including humanistic modalities, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and feminist therapy.

Outside of their work, Josée loves to perform and is involved in community musical theatre. She loves reading queer YA fiction, re-watching episodes of Star Trek, tending to her plants, and discovering new flavours of tea.

Josée is a white, French Canadian, thin, bi, and genderqueer woman with lived experience of menta... Read More

Julie Sweeney is a white, self-identified fat, cis-gender woman with lived experience of mental health and body shame struggles as well as fibromyalgia and Type 2 diabetes. She works from a client-centered, anti-oppressive and social justice-oriented perspective specializing in supporting clients in finding freedom for themselves.

Registered with the OCSWSSW as a social service worker, Julie offers openness, honesty, and a willingness to be part of your journey in a way best suited to your needs.

Helping clients feel less alone in their struggles, Julie offers clients the opportunity to develop new skills and ways of thinking. Outside of her specialty with body image and self-esteem, she also works with clients experiencing anxiety, shame, and relationship issues, focusing on self-care and changing negative coping habits.

Julie enjoys helping people become aware, gain insight, and move into action to create lasting change. You would be a fit for her work if you’re interested in the change process and taking action toward making space for new energy in your life.

“I have been there,” Julie explains. “My personal story is what led me to this work, and I look forward to sharing when appropriate.” She works with a client-first approach and meets each individual where they are at. “I believe that we are all capable of change if that is what we want for our lives.”

Areas of Interest Body Image

Self-esteem

Disordered Eating / Eating disorders

Shame/Body Shame

Stress

Anxiety

Relationships (parent/child; intimate partner; sibling or other)

ADHD

Julie supports teens (13+) and adults.

Julie Sweeney is a white, self-identified fat, cis-gender woman with lived experience of mental h... Read More