Psychotherapy is the use of psychological methods to help a person change behavior and overcome problems in a positive manner. Its aim is to help people understand the thoughts behind feeling anxious or depressed and addressing these thinking patterns. Psychotherapy will help you change behaviors and habits that are limiting you, to experiencing your fullest potential.

Many people have ideas about how therapy should look or feel based on what they have seen in movies or tv, and some of those ideas can be scary or intimidating. Therapy should be a safe space where you feel comfortable sharing and exploring your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with someone who offers you empathy, authenticity, and acceptance. I believe that clients are the experts in their lives and will work collaboratively with you to explore the stories you hold about yourself and the world around you to find meaning, facilitate change, and highlight your strengths and successes. Book a free consultation to learn more about my approach and explore if we are a good fit.

In all of the work that I do with clients, there are some primary goals: Promote understanding and eliminate ambiguity. It is only through understanding that we can create comprehensive and meaningful change. I also focus quite heavily on exploring tools and treatment methods with my clients so that they can find their desired change. I incorporate elements of cognitive and behavioural interventions along with a myriad of psychological principles into my psychotherapeutic work.

Beginning with a warm and trusting relationship, an environment is built in which we can set realistic, measurable goals in order to work toward your health. I use an integrated approach to therapy which means that which includes family systems, cognitive-behavioural and psychodynamic therapy as well as spirituality. I attempt to be flexible enough to accommodate your needs while creating enough structure to help you consistently move toward your goals. I am a relational person and am not afraid to be myself in therapy.

Although often used interchangeably there are some subtle differences between counselling and psychotherapy. Counselling can be thought of as relatively short term with an individual seeking out solutions to a particular issue they are dealing with. It is often concerned with an individual’s behaviour, targeting a particular symptom or problem situation, and is supportive. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, is usually longer term, focusing more on physical and/or emotional problems which either persist for some time or keep recurring. Rather than dealing with a specific problem, psychotherapy challenges an individual’s belief systems and core values.

Psychotherapy allows for personal challenges to be addressed. Through a warm, therapeutic relationship in which individuals, couples, and families are permitted to discuss these issues, my aim is to assist in resolving them. Although many forms of therapy exist to do so, sensitivity will be provided to ensure the client ultimately dictates which ones are to be used. Whether it is amending destructive thoughts, accepting thoughts and feelings that are beyond our control, or utilizing strengths within to formulate new solutions, therapy will be structured to facilitate therapeutic goals in the manner most beneficial to the client.

I offer a unique form of Psychotherapy that uses therapeutic art making combined with talking therapy. I use these techniques to guide my clients through a process of self-discovery and help them achieve a stronger sense of well-being. Creating art is an extension of self onto a canvas, which allows my clients to have a means of observing their emotions and inner thoughts, as well as a non-threatening way to express them. Through this, my clients can learn to understand their own behaviours, thought patterns, emotions, and moods. With this technique, my clients can learn to take control of their lives and manage their emotions.

My approach includes using strength-based, client centred therapies in practice and recognizing that clients are resilient and have the ability to connect with themselves to find answers to any of life’s problems. Other modalities which are helpful include solution focused brief therapy and narrative therapy, whereby clients are able to recognize and build on their hopes. Clients will benefit from psychotherapy, as their negative thoughts will be challenged, resulting in decreased self-blame.

Psychotherapy is a talk therapy with proven research and evidence-based interventions. It is a confidential and safe space where clients can explore different aspects of their emotional pain with an empathic counselor. As a Master Level psychotherapist, I have educational training and clinical experience in Family Systems and Psychoeducation. Combining these two methods gives me a comprehensive and in-depth awareness of assisting individuals, couples, and families through their growth journey. Through the initial assessment, I will help you establish goals for therapy that are practical and achievable. Psychotherapy is a safe space to explore your any challenges you are facing.

Psychotherapy can help you cope with difficult life circumstances, recover from mental health concerns and it encourages healing and personal growth. Drawing on a variety of psychotherapy modalities, we create a compassionate, non-judgmental and healing space for you to discover and develop your version of a happy and healthy life. Our psychotherapists work with a variety of issues, and help guide individuals, families and couples along their wellness journey using various therapeutic modalities and supportive interventions.

Sometimes we don't feel connected. Not only to our partners and family but to life in general. We feel like we are searching for some elusive ideal which we can neither explain or label, leaving us feeling like we are wandering in circles. Using a Jungian and Adlerian approach and dream analysis, I have found that people have been able to break free from the role of the nomad. This approach can require a much longer commitment from clients who are seeking a deeper epiphany about themselves and their lives.

Psychotherapy can be life-changing; you may need a few sessions or more in-depth work, but we will collaborate to meet your needs. There are many types of psychotherapy, all of which involve talking to someone you can confide in and trust to have your best interests at heart. I offer a person-centred approach to meet your unique needs and work with you on your best strategy for meeting life’s challenges.

Our team has completed various types of professional development and training in psychotherapy. We are able to incorporate elements of CBT, DBT, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Attachment Theory, Mentalization, Solution Focused, and Coaching. We also meet regularly to learn from each other, ensuring we are able to deliver the highest quality of care to our clients. The YYZ Talks difference is our dedication to professional growth.

As opposed to many of the behaviourally-based (simple fix) treatments available today, psychotherapy involves going deeper. This might include looking at coping skills or patterns you developed as a child which, though they served you well then, may be getting in the way of your life now. Psychotherapy is less about learning tools, and more about developing insights about oneself and one's loved ones. While many therapies today focus on changing behaviour in the here and now, psychotherapy often involves looking at what may underlie emotional or relational patterns, such as having difficulty saying no, or struggling to trust others. It involves being more honest and authentic with oneself.