Feel steady. Gain clarity. Take your next step.
Therapy for life’s challenges and meaningful growth.
Evidence-based. Trauma-informed. Centered on you.
About Root and Rise Therapy
Hi, I’m Clara - a Registered Social Worker (MSW) and therapist offering down-to-earth support for adults navigating stress, burnout, life transitions, or recovery.
If you’re feeling stuck or like life has taken an unexpected turn, you’re not alone - and you don’t have to figure it out alone either. I help people make sense of what’s happened, reconnect with themselves, and take steady steps toward healing.
At Root and Rise, I offer a space where you can pause, reflect, and begin creating the life you want to live - one that feels true to you.
My approach is trauma-informed, person-centered, and grounded in a range of evidence-based and integrative practices, including CBT, DBT, IFS, Narrative Therapy, Attachment Theory, Behavioural Activation, and somatic work - each tailored to meet you where you are.
If some of these approaches are new to you - or if you're curious about how and why I use them - please visit the Foundations of My Work page to learn more about how I might use them in my work.
I understand how discouraging it can feel to try to heal and/or navigate a world that often feel rigid, overwhelming, or disconnected from what truly matters. My goal is to provide my clients with clarity and understanding so that they can navigate their lives with intention and self-trust.
I am currently offering individual sessions for adults in person and online. Feel free to book a 15-minute consult (no-fee) so we can connect before committing to a first session.
I look forward to meeting you and seeing where our work together may lead.
Foundations to my Work
My Professional Background
I have been a social worker for the past 10 years, since completing my Master of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Toronto. My undergraduate degree is in Psychology from the University of Ottawa. I’ve always been fascinated by the way people think, feel, and respond to the world. Two people can face the same circumstances and yet have completely different experiences, thoughts, and reactions - I find that endlessly meaningful and inspiring.
Over the course of my career, I’ve supported individuals, couples, and families through challenging times while working in nonprofits and community service agencies. My work has focused on complex case management, emotional and social support, therapeutic interventions, and group-based programs. In addition to direct practice, I have held senior leadership roles in nonprofit organizations, giving me a broader perspective on systems and services. From the beginning, I was fortunate to learn from mentors who modeled a harm-reduction, trauma-informed, and person-centered approach, which continues to guide my practice today.
I’ve worked with people in diverse contexts, including:
- Housing and homelessness
- Addiction and substance use
- Seniors and caregiver supports
- Sex workers and people living with HIV/HepC
- Immigrants and newcomers
- University and college students
- Complex health and mental health needs
Areas of Specialization
I currently specialize in supporting adults navigating:
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Grief and loss
- ADHD/Neurodivergent
- Anger
- Pre and postpartum transitions
- Addiction and problematic substance use
- Navigating health and mental health systems
- Workplace stress and burnout
What is trauma-informed, person-centered, and evidence-based/integrative practices?
Trauma-Informed
Being trauma-informed means I understand how past experiences - especially overwhelming or painful ones - can affect the way we think, feel, and respond today. It also means I work in a way that is safe, respectful, and empowering, so you never feel pushed or judged.
Person-Centered
This simply means you are at the center of our work together. Rather than following a rigid formula, I focus on your unique story, values, and goals. Therapy moves at your pace, and you decide what feels most important to explore and we work to understand your unique perspective to address issues and to understand your worldview.
Evidence-Based & Integrative Practices
When I describe my approach as evidence-based, it means I use strategies and interventions that research has shown to be effective. I draw on these tools to support you in addressing the challenges you are facing, tailoring them to your unique needs. Some of the frameworks and modalities I incorporate include:
- Attachment Theory – Understanding patterns in relationships and emotional bonds.
- Behavioral Activation – Encouraging positive action to improve mood and motivation.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy – Exploring the different “parts” of ourselves to promote internal harmony.
- Narrative Therapy – Examining and reshaping the stories we tell about ourselves.
- Somatic Approaches – Connecting body awareness with emotional and psychological healing.