Find a Therapist in Athens, Ontario.

Psychotherapy is the process of discussing issues in a safe space with a trained and licensed professional who, using ethical and effective methods, can assist clients in understanding their thoughts, emotions and behaviours. As a Registered Psychotherapist, with a specialization in abuse and trauma, I am accustomed to hearing and expressing empathy regarding very difficult situations. If there are words you have never felt safe to speak outloud or stories you need to tell about your past and how it has influenced your present, I will listen without judgement. Working together we can determine how you may progress toward meaningful change.

My approach is to work collaboratively with clients using a holistic model of therapy which entails a blending of Eastern and Western modalities. For example, training in meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, proper exercise, a nutritious, science-based diet and maintaining proper sleep hygiene. Also, including talk therapy can then help to reveal core values and issues. Mindfulness training benefits clients in observing clearly thoughts and behaviours. Clients benefit greatly through the use of evidence based interventions by developing the skills needed to evaluate thought patterns and overcome destructive patterns.

Psychotherapy is primarily a talk-based therapy and is intended to help you improve and maintain positive mental health and well-being. I work with individuals, couples and families in individual and group settings. Psychotherapy occurs when the Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and client enter into a psychotherapeutic relationship where both work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feeling, behaviour and social functioning. Individuals usually seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours that are adversely affecting their day-to-day lives, relationships and the ability to enjoy life.

Do you have a junk drawer in your home? I like to think of therapy like emptying out and organizing your junk drawer. Trauma and stress disorganizes our brain. Memories and experiences are scrambled and coping skills are hidden. Therapy lets us empty out those drawers, put them in order, throw out the things we no longer need, and find the things we’ve been searching for.

Licensed through the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, I offer psychotherapy to youth 14+ and adults. My approach is always centered on working with clients in a way that is empowering and based on leveraging the inner wisdom in each person. I have many strategies and options to offer, but clients are the experts in what will and won't work for them. When individuals complete therapy, my goal is for them to say "I worked hard and achieved the results I wanted to achieve - I can do this!" rather than "Tory helped me how to feel better".

Psychotherapy is the the term used to describe therapy that is based upon psychological principles and research and delivered, primarily, through verbal interaction. Simply put, psychotherapy is 'talk therapy". It is the interaction between you and a highly trained, caring, compassionate therapist who is willing to walk with you through whatever challenges you might be facing. Psychotherapy can happen either in an individual basis, with couples, with families or in larger groups.

Psychotherapy can be of benefit to those struggling with personal, couple or family issues which interfere with their ability to live life as fully and successfully as they wish to. Through psychotherapy Sarah can assist you in exploring and understanding the root causes/issues behind your symptoms and can provide you with both skills and insights which can result in improvements emotionally and in your relationships. This process does not have to involve years of therapy but through relatively brief approaches Sarah can assist you to resolve many issues that impact your life so that they no longer prevent you from enjoying your life to the fullest. Contact Sarah to discuss how she can help

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.

My approach to psychotherapy integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness practices, and Somatic Experiencing to develop a deep connection between mind and body. I emphasize the importance of tuning into how the body experiences emotions and life events, recognizing that bodily sensations are key indicators of our emotional states. By addressing and accepting these emotions, people can open new pathways for handling life’s challenges. This method encourages not just coping, but thriving through a holistic understanding and acceptance of one’s feelings, leading to innovative solutions and healthier approaches to life's difficulties.