As a clinician, I have a strong knowledge-base and experience in using evidence-based psychotherapy techniques. I use a number of different psychotherapy modalities including cognitive-behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, EMDR therapy, and Adlerian psychology. By working with clients using psychotherapeutic techniques, clients gain the skills such as cognitive restructuring, to create lasting, concrete, positive changes in their lives.

For over 25 years I have been working with individuals and couples to help them with their particular issues and problems so that they may achieve emotional health as well as relationship and career goals. Each client has a unique situation and set of issues, be it anxiety, stress, depression, substance abuse, grief, personal growth, relationship issues, aging, illness, etc ; each problem has a unique set of tools and strategies to select for its solution. Together we will meet and identify the problem(s); I will propose a treatment plan and together we will discuss the plan as well as determine whether the match between therapist and client is a solid one in order to move forward.

As a counselling psychologist, my main focus is providing psychotherapy services to clients. This means that we talk together, as equals. Using different strategies we figure out what already works well for you as the client, what could work better, what feels "broken" and needs compassionate attention, and explore how to best support your healing process. I work from a strength-based approach, and strongly believe we are all capable of significant personal growth and loving relationships with ourselves and those in our lives.

My training and supervision in Self-In-Relationship Psychotherapy will allow me to help you work through old patterns. I can also help you to build new patterns and habits which will support healthy relationships and improved mental health. Change is not always easy, but with the right supportive environment we can surprise ourselves with how much we can grow.

I specialize in utilizing cognitive behavioral, motivational interviewing, solution focused, holistic and narrative therapeutic techniques with clients struggling with a variety of issues including substance abuse, high risk behaviors, disordered eating, trauma and abuse and mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety.

Psychotherapy is most successful when the individual enters therapy on their own and has a strong desire to change. If you don’t want to change, change will be slow in coming. Change means altering those aspects of your life that aren’t working for you any longer, or are contributing to your problems or ongoing issues. It is also best to keep an open mind while in psychotherapy, and be willing to try out new things that ordinarily you may not do. Psychotherapy is often about challenging one’s existing set of beliefs and often, one’s very self. It is most successful when a person is able and willing to try to do this in a safe and supportive environment.

Counsellors at Elim are highly trained psychotherapists who hold professional membership with the Canadian Counselling and psychotherapy Association. As such we are not only qualified to offer psychological services, but also abide by the high ethical standards of this governing body. In addition our practice is supervised by a clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience. An additional benefit of having such supervision is that clients may be eligible to have all or part of their fees reimbursed by their insurance company if they have benefits that cover counselling.

As a Registered Psychotherapist with the Ontario College,I use a variety of models in my psychotherapy. importantly I believe a warm respectful, non-judgmental environment provides the safety a client needs to address very personal and painful issues in a therapy session. Helping a client see their own uniqueness and inner beauty and to develop confidence in those aspects of themselves allows a client to move forward quickly. I have huge respect for the courage it takes for a client to begin work with a therapist. Depending on the needs of a client I use Psycho-dynamic or Attachment based therapy, I specialize in working on Healing Shame with some clients and EMDR for Trauma

Through individual therapy, I can help one to address personal, educational, and professional challenges by way of identifying the issues, and exploring solutions. My goal is to see the individual discover their own skills and strengths and to combine this with learned strategies in order to transfer problem-resolution abilities from therapy over into their daily living activities. I an help you with: Depression, Anxiety Relationship challenges Anger & stress management Unresolved childhood issues Trauma/Abuse Unhealthy strategies Grief & Loss Parenting challenges

The approach I like to use in psychotherapy is to begin with ensuring a close bond or alliance can be quickly established where there is active listening, an opportunity for establishing trust and allowing empathy to flourish. Only then can we then challenge any distortions in thinking, help with the managing of emotions that may be overwhelming and distressful to a client. Also, assisting with searching for solutions and really serving to change the narrative either in part or altogether so there can develop a more hopeful and optimistic attitude. Examining and naming attachment wounds from childhood that may interfere with couple/family relationship dynamic in the present.

I welcome you to consider psychotherapy with its in-depth approach to counselling. Together we build a trusted relationship that supports you in considering perspectives and changes. In therapy people often want to become more aware of their beliefs, feelings, thoughts, relationships, or choices in their lives. My integrative approach enables me to modify therapy to specific goals and needs of each person or family, and to meet new concerns. Starting with our first meeting I invite working together and with your feedback as I draw on knowledge and experience to support you using cognitive, behavioural, creative, emotion-focused, narrative, pastoral, and systems approaches. Ottawa & area.

My approach to psychotherapy is kind, curious, and practical. I provide clients with a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental environment from which to explore the issues that may be preventing them from experiencing a full and well life. I support children, youth, and families in learning to identify and access their inner strengths and resiliencies.

What does Tracy do in session? In my therapeutic practice, I provide confidential sessions where I will walk you in your discovery of finding your inner resources. I believe that through exploration growth can occur. I facilitate this inner growth by using a client-centred approach to talk therapy, also known as person-centered therapy. This is a collaborative approach between the client(s) and the therapist, in which the client has an opportunity to develop their sense of self. As the client(s) have an opportunity to develop their sense of self, they often realize how their thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and behaviours can be affected and altered.