Curiosity changes how we understand ourselves.
I've always been interested in people. What shapes us, what we believe about ourselves, how we respond to difficult experiences, and why we sometimes continue doing things that no longer serve us.
I believe there's value in looking beyond the obvious explanation. What appears to be anxiety, conflict, withdrawal or frustration often has a story worth understanding.
In counselling, I bring curiosity, compassion, honesty and a willingness to ask questions that encourage further reflection. I listen carefully, share what I notice and invite you to consider perspectives you may not have explored.
I appreciate humour, genuine conversation and the freedom to be yourself. Counselling is meaningful work, and I believe it can feel natural and human.
How I Think About Mental Health
Our experiences make sense within the context of our lives.
Our emotional well-being is influenced by our relationships, physical health, personal histories, environments, beliefs and the meaning we give to our experiences.
Grief may affect our sense of identity. Anxiety may emerge during periods of uncertainty or prolonged stress. Relationship difficulties may reflect patterns we've developed over many years. Understanding these connections can help us recognize what needs attention and what we might want to change.
I approach mental health with an appreciation for this complexity. I'm interested in how different aspects of our lives influence one another, including the connection between mind and body.
I value informed choice, personal autonomy and the freedom to question familiar explanations. I believe people benefit from understanding their options and participating actively in decisions about their own well-being.
My intention is to help you develop greater understanding, confidence and trust in your own judgment, so the benefits of counselling extend well beyond our sessions.
My Approach
Warmth, honesty and thoughtful challenge.
My approach is person-centred and collaborative. I want to understand your experiences from your perspective, including the values, relationships and circumstances that matter to you.
I'll listen, ask questions, share observations and offer alternative ways of looking at situations. At times, I may gently challenge an assumption, point out a recurring pattern or ask you to consider something uncomfortable.
I see these conversations as opportunities for reflection rather than occasions to tell you what to think or how to live.
Our work may involve exploring past experiences, identifying patterns in relationships, understanding emotional responses, developing practical strategies or reconsidering beliefs that no longer fit your life.
I integrate approaches such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), emotionally focused therapy, narrative and psychodynamic perspectives, alongside trauma-informed practice and somatic awareness.
These approaches provide different ways of understanding experiences and supporting change. Together, we can determine what feels relevant and useful to you.
The Path That Brought Me Here
Before becoming a counsellor, I spent more than 15 years working in education in Canada and internationally.
Teaching gave me the opportunity to work closely with children, adolescents and families, and to witness how learning, emotions, relationships and life circumstances influence one another.
I became increasingly interested in understanding the experiences behind what people were expressing through their behaviour, relationships and emotional responses.
That interest led me toward counselling, where I could spend more time exploring those experiences and supporting people through change.
My background in education continues to inform my work, particularly with adolescents, parents and families. It has also shaped my appreciation for the different ways people learn, communicate and make sense of their experiences.
And my curiosity about human development continues to grow. I'm particularly interested in how our environments shape us, from the influence of screens and technology to sensory needs, brain development and the ways we interpret behaviour. I'm also interested in childism and the assumptions adults make about children, including whose perspectives are heard, whose needs are understood and how much autonomy we allow young people.
These questions extend beyond childhood. They influence how we understand ourselves, relate to others and make sense of the world throughout our lives. They continue to challenge my thinking and inform the questions I bring to my work.
Renée LaJoie, B.Ed., MACP, CCC, RCT
Where We Begin
Sometimes we know exactly what brings us to counselling. Other times, we simply recognize that something in our lives deserves our attention.
Perhaps a relationship feels different, a loss has changed how we see the world, or a familiar way of coping no longer feels right. Perhaps we're beginning to question something we've believed about ourselves for a long time.
You don't need to arrive with answers, or even the right questions.
We can begin with what you know, remain curious about what you don't, and see what becomes possible.