I am a registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Work and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). I have worked for many years in a hospital outpatient community mental health clinic.
Psychotherapy and Supervision
In my hospital-based practice I have been a clinical supervisor for some amazing psychotherapist and social worker candidates. My private practice will be open to psychotherapy consumers and psychotherapists/social workers who are seeking or require Clinical Supervision to qualify or supplement their skills. I have been trained to provide online psychotherapy through the University of Toronto Social Work Department. It is with this training that I feel confident in offering services face-to-face, via phone or through OnCall Health encrypted video-based conferencing.
***My Practice is Growing! ***I have decided to have Master of Counselling Candidates join my practice. They have greater availability and would be accessible at a reasonable rate to you. Feel free to reach out to me and I can introduce you to Matt Bekking, BA (psych).
Education and Approach
I have an Honours Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from York University where my primary study was in abnormal psychology, cultural anthropology and stress theory. I obtained my Master’s Degree at Wilfrid Laurier University in Social and Community Psychology.
Specialization
I been qualified through Behaviour Tech Intensive Training to offer Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). The foundation of DBT is Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness. I have training in numerous other forms of treatment including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Marital (Gottman), Narrative, Solution Focused, etc. I have included my CV if you are interested in knowing more.
Many of my clients struggle with Trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Anxiety/Panic, Depression (Dysthymia and MDD) and a vast array of other struggles, concerns and stresses.
My Approach
I am passionate about what I do and have always enjoyed spending the time with the people I have worked with. I have a wholistic approach in the therapy I provide. My approach is somatic in that it recognizes the relationship between mind and body. I do not believe that we are an island but rather the sum of our experiences with others and within the community/culture we have been exposed and participate in. In the past my clients have expressed appreciation for my genuine, knowledgeable and heartfelt support.
On a Personal Note
I confess I love Peterborough! I grew up in Toronto and value the experiences that I have had in such an amazingly diverse city. I have worked as a waitress, leather cutter, security guard, factory worker and multiple other positions. I attended university part time at first. I guess I am saying that my education extends well beyond the walls of a university. These experiences I feel help me in offering compassionate and empathetic support because “I get it!” I have walked a similar path as many of the people I support.
So why Peterborough? It started out that I moved to a town of 1300 to raise my children. I love the rural life even with it being fraught with its own unique obstacles. I am a naturalist at heart and even pick fiddleheads in the spring. In the summer months I kayak the lakes in the Kawartha Highlands, Algonquin and at Killbear Provincial Park. I still camp in a tent (might have to rethink that I suspect). I also enjoy my mountain bike and walking Nipiish (our family dog from Attawapiskat). In the winter I do my art (bead weaving) and swim at a local pool.
I welcome you to contact me for a free confidential consultation session or visit my website https://advocatinghope.ca for further information or to book an appointment/consultation time. I look forward to chatting with you!
Curriculum Vitae