You arrive
We begin with how you are and what feels important today. No agenda.
relational therapy
What happens when someone can hold the truth
of who you are?
A collaborative and non-directive approach to therapy that helps you notice, feel, and understand your patterns in real time.
Do you recognize
The same relationship patterns,
again and again and again...
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Difficulty expressing needs
You struggle to express your needs clearly or feel disconnected from what you truly want.
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Shame or self-judgment
Shame, grief, loneliness, or self-judgment make it difficult to feel fully seen.
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Fear of conflict or honesty
Conflict, defensiveness, people-pleasing, or fear of telling your truth keep showing up in relationships.
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Longing for healthier relationships
You long for more honest, grounded, and nourishing relationships — with yourself and others.
What repeats in relationship is often asking to be understood, not judged
The Creative Non-Directive Approach® focuses on helping you find your way back to your own responsibility and inner power.
Together, we explore the impact your relational patterns are having on your life.
This work can help you regain a sense of inner freedom in the way you communicate, relate to others, and relate to yourself.
You already have everything you need to feel happier and more satisfied in your relationships. We just need to uncover the blockages that made you lose touch with your deeper needs and inner resources.
What sessions are like
I don’t bring you somewhere.
You always decide where we go.
We explore
You speak. I listen with a lot of empathy and help you notice patterns unfolding in real time.
You recognize
You begin to notice patterns, deeper needs, new possibilities, and new choices.
What happens during a session
When you arrive, we simply begin by me asking how you are feeling today. The session unfolds based on how you are in the present moment and where you want or need to go.
This approach is non-directive, which means I follow rather than ask leading questions. As you share what you would like to explore, I reflect back what I hear, the emotions that emerge, and the relational patterns that may be shaping your experience.
A large part of this work is based on observing what I see in the present moment and reflecting it back to you. This can help you begin to see, in real time, how you function in relationship and how you are experienced by another person — in this case, me.
Through this process, you can begin to recognize what is and isn’t working for you in the way you relate to yourself and others.
One of the gifts of this approach is the warmth and relational depth we create together. As we work, I may share the impact you have on me as you speak. This helps you become more aware of the impact you have on others.
Over time, our sessions become a kind of laboratory for self-creation — a space where you can move away from fear and toward your true needs.
You are not too much. There is room for the whole truth of what you are carrying.
core tenet
We will work to find your inner freedom by exploring the impact of relational problems on your ability to be you.
a quiet refuge
In-person sessions take place in a warm and peaceful cabin surrounded by forest.
Reflection
“This work was a true blessing for me.”
I undertook a year of ANDC therapy with Stéphanie-Ann. This work was a true blessing for me. I had been through the grind of traditional Talk Therapy without positive results. My therapy with Stéphanie-Ann opened up a whole new way of dealing with depression and anxiety. A year later, I can honestly attest that my whole view and purpose in living has been a miracle of sorts, thanks to Stéphanie-Ann.
FAQ
What is the difference between relational therapy and psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy generally aims to assess, understand, and treat psychological suffering, mental health conditions, trauma, or dysfunctional patterns. Depending on the approach, the therapist may interpret, analyze, diagnose, establish treatment goals, or use specific interventions to support change.
The Creative Non-Directive Approach® (ANDC), as taught by the Centre de Relation d’Aide de Montréal, is less centered on diagnosis or treatment and more focused on relational presence, self-awareness, and the impact of relational patterns on a person’s sense of satisfaction with themselves and others.
This approach is rooted in deep listening, authenticity, emotional experiencing, acceptance, and trust in the person’s innate movement toward growth when met within a genuine relationship.
What does “Creative Non-Directive Approach®” mean?
Creative non-directive means I will not tell you what to do, steer you toward a correct solution, or impose goals or a path on you. I will follow your pace, help you trust your inner experience as your main guide, and reflect what you express so you can hear and know yourself more clearly. This can help you discover what you need and what is right for you.
Is this an analytical approach?
There is no analysis in this method, but I do help you understand how you function and what you can shift so that you are less afraid of existing with yourself and others more authentically.
What is the intention behind this approach?
The intention is not to “fix” someone or direct them toward a predefined outcome, but rather to help a person reconnect with themselves so they can regain inner coherence, emotional clarity, and the capacity to choose more freely in their life.
Where does this approach come from?
The ANDC approach was developed in the 1970s and 1980s by Colette Portelance, who founded the Centre de Relation d’Aide de Montréal, along with collaborators working in the field of relational help.
This approach is rooted in the humanistic movement influenced by Carl Rogers’ person-centred/non-directive therapy.
Reflection
“Finding the right therapist changes everything.”
Working with Stéphanie-Ann has been one of the most valuable investments I’ve made in myself. Her approach is compassionate, thoughtful, and effective. After many years of therapy, I can finally say I’ve experienced the most meaningful personal growth while working with her. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for genuine support and lasting change. I leave sessions feeling seen, supported, and stronger. Finding the right therapist changes everything.
A space that can hold anything
