Learn About Therapy
Everyone experiences therapy differently -
I see individual clients experiencing difficulties in relationships who may be living with diagnosed depression, anxiety, panic, bipolar disorder, trauma, personality disorders, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain.
I work with couples who are stuck in angry, co-dependent cycles; who are challenged by past traumas in the relationship such as infidelity, abandonment and loss; who wish to re-connect and find vitality in their lives again.
I can work with you to address a wide range of issues such as:
Stress, pain, difficulties concentrating, attention difficulties, difficulties sleeping
Difficulties coping with poor self-esteem, shame and guilt
Anxiety, panic, shyness, isolation
Depression, sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Workplace issues, job loss, changing careers, returning to work after illness or injury
Feeling stuck, overwhelmed or lost
Relationship issues with family, friends or co-workers
Post-traumatic stress disorders
Developmental traumas
Co-dependent and traumatic patterns of relating to self and others
Understanding psychotherapy -
Psychotherapy is a therapy (a process of learning and exercising, meant to heal) that focuses on the “psyche”, thoughts, feelings, emotions, sensations, behaviours, where the client shares and expresses and the therapist listens, explores, supports and organizes the experience. Psychotherapy was initially developed by Sigmund Freud, who was a neurologist and was looking at associations in the brain, prior to creating psycho-analysis, a method for treating psychopathology through dialogue between the patient and analyst. Patients would come daily to therapy, lie down, and the therapist would be unseen behind the client, working with free association, “transference” and “the unconscious”, with the belief that bringing the “unconscious” into consciousness was therapeutic and organizing. Freud had developmental theories that used Greek mythology and critics have argued that his developmental theories could neither be proven or disproven and therefore were unscientific. Fritz Perls was an early improver to Freud, theorizing that the caregiver-child feeding interactions were formative for a person to adapt to the world, either giving and receiving with flow, or with interruptions/modifications, and he was part of the development of Gestalt therapy. Perls suggested things like having the therapist and client face each other so the therapist became involved in the process. Over time, more and more psychotherapy modalities have developed, with a “boom” in the 1960s, when people wanted to learn more about themselves and there was an emphasis on individual choice, freedom and breaking away from societal and familial constraints to achieve new human potential. With the introduction of 3rd party payers, such as insurance companies who are invested in quick recovery, evidence-based modalities that demonstrate efficiency and effectiveness have dominated the scene. Evidence suggests that a secure therapeutic relationship is a keystone of success in whatever modality is used.
Psychotherapy requires a psychotherapeutic relationship where both client and therapist 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. Psychotherapy is a regulated act in Ontario. The regulated act means that only certain regulated professions with competency can perform this service. The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario has more information about psychotherapy and the regulated act.
How it can improve the health/well-being of potential patients -
I believe that psychotherapy can create transformative experiences that reduce the threat/avoidance response in the nervous system, by increasing awareness of patterns, reactions and responses, building tolerance to discomfort and vulnerability, creating space for compassion (suffering with) and practicing finding support in the here and now. By reducing a threat/avoidance response, we free up energy for creativity, enjoyment, and living in the world.
Unique advantages and benefits -
Psychotherapy is a commitment and an investment in yourself. You are committing to spending time exploring, building awareness and transforming what you don’t like.