The psychotherapeutic approach that we use puts the clients’ needs first and the therapists meet the clients where they are at. This is a client centered focus. We look at building the strengths of the client while being compassionate and providing a safe environment for the client to process their struggles. We have the added dimension of including any kind of spiritual element to the therapy process without imposing external views. Clients often report that they find this essential as it is often a vital part of who they are, and it can be a barrier to healing if they do not feel free to open up about this area of their life.

Tons of research has proven that thoughts causes our feelings and consequent behaviors.and not people, things or circumstances. When we learn a new way of thinking that works for us, it is very empowering to realize that we do have control over the way we feel because we do have full control over the way we think. I share the knowledge of how we can change our thinking to change the way we are feeling regardless the circumstances in life. And with this knowhow, one learns self counselling skills that can be used over a lifetime after therapy!

Psychotherapy can be a scary thing to start as it is a bold step to face some of the things we have been hiding from. A safe and warm place is imperative. I will walk you through your first steps of self-discovery and healing, and will walk with you at your pace. I use a combination of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as the basis for psychotherapy. I believe in the power of expressing emotions and understanding their origins as a conduit to better understanding and accepting oneself. I will guide you through the process of learning to express and understand your emotions and behaviours.

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.

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.

The most effective psychotherapy, the most immediately “real” experience of this interaction, is that of an emerging authentic self from within each client. Each of us is comprised of an authentic self and a false self. The false self is made up of the various masks, roles, defense structures, and the like, that we adopted as children in order to “fit in” and navigate the family system we were each parachuted into at birth. One’s authentic self is thus, necessarily, hidden from view. The more unhealthy the family system, the more defenses are required, thus the more the authentic self is compromised, hidden. Indeed, our authentic self may feel threatening, to all that we have “known”.

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.

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.

Psychological treatment involves a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of current psychological symptoms, and psychotherapy that addresses the root causes of a specific psychological disorder. Research affirms that individuals do improve as a result of psychotherapy, particularly when they are committed to the process. In an initial session, your mental health professional will work with you in a collaborative fashion to identify treatment goals. He or she will also collect basic demographic data, obtain your consent to the treatment you are to receive, and inquire as to any questions you may have about the course of treatment that has been discussed.

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.

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.

As a psychotherapist I have long experienced that it is precisely through the process of verbalizing thoughts that my clients are able to gain a clear sense of their reality--words clarify the vagueness of ideas. And once a reality is expressed, then a client can move toward acceptance of that reality and toward understanding of how to shape that reality in a way that best meets their needs and aspirations. Please visit www.newhorizonscounselling.com and Psychotherapy.

Through psychotherapy we explore our patterns of behaviour, thoughts and feelings that have brought us to where we are today. In increasing awareness, and exploring the possibility of different responses, we can significantly change our outcomes in life; whether it romantically, with family, friends, or career related. Moving forward we have two options, to accept and manage, or change. Working with a trained therapist can help you navigate some of life's difficulties with clarity and resolve.