FAQ

Psychotherapy promotes change in various ways. On a more practical level, psychotherapy can allow someone to develop knew skills, such as conflict resolution or stress management skills. Emotions and thought pattern can be identified and altered. Doing so for a sustained period of time triggers a rewiring of neural pathways. New neural pathways means new default modes of behaviour and thinking.

On a deeper level, engaging in one-on-one psychotherapy can allow two persons' brains to align with one another and lead to the development of what is referred to as earned-attachment: The capacity for secure attachment patterns with others.

Be active everyday: Do at least one thing that is in line with what you're talking about in session. Whatever the outcome of having done at least one thing talk about it in session. Trial and error, adjusting, reflecting, this is how initial efforts leads to sustainable change.

Allow some vulnerability: Therapy was never intended to be easy. When you feel a certain amount of trust and courage, try disclosing something you find scary to admit out loud.

Write things down: Writing in a book/journal, texting yourself, blogging, etc. Serious endeavours require serious processes. Add some continuity to your developmental journey by tracking yourself. Jot down emotions, ideas, realizations, questions for yourself or your therapist.

Believe in yourself and in your efforts: If you initiate change, things will be different. We usually don't exactly know what the outcome will be, but many clients are happy they took a chance. The alternative: more of what you already know. Try something. When is the best time to plant a tree? 100 years ago. The 2nd best time to plant a tree? Right now. What "tree" do you need to plant today?

Be honest: Is your therapist meeting your needs? Is there one type of intervention you find most helpful over another? Are you confused about the process or what you're doing? Are you withholding dissatisfaction? These really need to be addressed in sessions. Psychotherapists want to know these things!

That’s a tough question to answer because there are so many variables. Nonetheless, considering the importance of real human connection and the secondary role it’s taking in our current societal model, yes, it is getting worse. I’m not too worried however: we are educating ourselves and shift is starting to happen. The stigma around mental health and mental illness is slowly fading, which could likely lead to (crossing my fingers) humans taking better care of themselves and each other.

Daniel Nadon, MA, RP, CCC

MA is the acronym for the Master's of Arts degree I received from the University of Ottawa

RP is the acronym for registered psychotherapist. I am a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) which allows me to use the title. The CRPO's mandate is to educate and protect the population by ensuring a that their members are abiding by the rules and the processes set in place by various laws provincial and federal laws, as well as ethical standards. More info? https://www.crpo.ca/

CCC is the acronym for Canadian Certified Counsellor. As a member in good standing with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), I use this title to represent my adhesion to this organisation and it's standards of practice. While the CRPO's mandate is to protect the public, the CCPA's mandate is to advance the field of counselling and psychotherapy in Canada. They advocate on members' behalf to educate policy makers on ways to make counselling services more accessible to various populations. More info? https://www.ccpa-accp.ca/

Therapists have access to the same difficult situations (unpleasant emotions, grief, mental illness, substance use and abuse, suicidality, loneliness, burnout, divorce, etc.) as well as the same methods to overcome them as anyone else. What I do and use to deal with life is no different than what you can do. For me personally, sometimes my coping tools work great, sometimes I'd want them to be more effective, and sometimes I forget to use them altogether!

Most likely because you worked hard! Thinking, feeling and soul searching require a lot of effort on your part. When you engage in therapy in a productive and thorough way, you're exerting energy. If you experience various emotions, and more-so when they're powerful emotions, your body uses energy. Although this also leads to a sense of relief, it drains energy. Rest up, take care of yourself and feel proud of the work you did!

Sometimes. Humans can put each other through very trying and difficult situations and life itself brings on many challenges by itself as well. But, clients also progress and get better - there is a lot of opportunity for celebration and to re-energized. When our distress leads us to grow and develop, pain or suffering becomes a bit more manageable.

I also like to find, cultivate and share hope - I think that that counts for a lot in therapy, to know that people can make significant changes for themselves.

I make sure to remind myself of the good stuff and the neutral stuff as well.