What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a collaborative process that offers a supportive, non-judgmental space to better understand yourself, your emotions, and the patterns that may be getting in the way of living the life you want. Drawing from Emotion-Focused Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, our work can help you make sense of difficult emotions, develop greater self-compassion, build practical skills for navigating intense feelings, and strengthen your relationships.

Therapy is both supportive and active. Together, we explore your experiences, challenges, strengths, and hopes, while you play an important role in the process of creating meaningful change in your life. At times, looking honestly at painful emotions, experiences, or patterns can feel difficult and may temporarily bring up more discomfort before things begin to feel clearer or more manageable. This is a natural part of doing meaningful therapeutic work, and you don't have to navigate it alone.

Ultimately, psychotherapy is an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of yourself, create more compassionate and fulfilling relationships with yourself and others, and move toward a life that feels more authentic and meaningful.

What questions should I ask my insurance provider about covering services provided by a Registered Social Worker?

Do I have mental health insurance coverage benefits?
What is the coverage amount per session?
Is there a limit on the number of sessions per calendar year?
Do I require a referral by my family doctor?

What are some of the common issues addressed in psychotherapy?

Individuals approach counselling for a wide range of reasons and struggles, some of which include:

Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Phobias
Depression, Sadness, and Loneliness
Grief, Bereavement, and Loss
Self-esteem and Self-worth
Life Transitions
Stress and Burnout
Interpersonal and Relationship Problems
Struggle with Perfectionism, Motivation, and Procrastination

What can I expect from the first couple of sessions?

The first couple of sessions are intended for us to better get to know one another and establish clear needs and therapy goals. We may:

Discuss your current situation or struggles
Explore what changes you would like to make and how we can work together to achieve them
Establish what needs to take place in order for these changes to occur and collaboratively develop customized treatment goals
Examine the most effective ways for you to achieve your goals and practice proven strategies and skills that will have you see positive changes

How can psychotherapy help me?

Identify your struggle(s)
Increase self-awareness and broaden perspectives
Discover your unique strengths, values, and needs
Create change, construct possibilities, and regain hope
Practice new skills and strategies for dealing with life challenges
Create healthy boundaries at home, at work, and in relationships
Speed up healing and increase self-worth
Live the meaningful life you want

How long does it take?

The length and frequency of therapy are different for everyone and depend on your needs, goals, and circumstances. Some people find that a few sessions provide the support and perspective they need, while others benefit from working together for a longer period of time or returning to therapy during different stages of life.

For many clients, meeting weekly provides the consistency and space needed to build a strong therapeutic relationship and create meaningful change. We will regularly check in about how therapy is going and decide together what pace and frequency feel right for you.

Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with and developing a relationship built on trust, safety, and collaboration can be an important part of the therapeutic process. My hope is that therapy becomes a place where you can feel understood, explore what matters to you, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself. It can also be a relationship you can return to when life brings new challenges or transitions.

What is the difference between a social worker, psychiatrist and psychologist?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose and prescribe medications to treat major mental health problems. Psychologists have a Masters or PhD in Psychology and have specialized training to test, diagnose and treat a variety of problems as well as conduct and interpret research. Social workers are trained to treat a variety of problems but do not diagnose or prescribe medications. Some are trained to use specialized tools to evaluate and assess. Social workers are trained to also consider how a person’s socio-economic circumstances (housing, financial situation, ability, age, health, family, social supports, education, gender etc) affects his or her health. All three professionals are governed by their professional colleges.