According to the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), psychotherapy is defined as: "the assessment and treatment of cognitive, emotional or behavioural disturbances by psychotherapeutic means, delivered through a therapeutic relationship based primarily on verbal or non-verbal communication" (see Psychotherapy Act, 2007, Section 3 for more details). But what does this mean?
Psychotherapy, or counselling, is primarily a talk therapy, and is intended to support individuals improve or maintain their mental health and well-being. Individuals typically access psychotherapy or counselling when they are experiencing "thoughts, feelings, moods, and behaviours" that are negatively affecting their lives, their relationships, and their ability to enjoy life (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, 2019). Individuals might also access psychotherapy or counselling because their family or friends have recommended it, or because they are required or mandated to do so. It is a process that helps increase awareness and understanding, and at its best, it is a dialogue between therapist and individual that identifies, promotes, and uses strengths to reach personal goals. I believe most people benefit from counselling at some point in their lives.
My therapeutic approach recognises the resiliency and grit in each person, and I aspire to foster hope in our potential to create an authentic and meaningful life. I believe that we all possess intrinsic worth and have the capacity to realise this, we are all deserving of respect, and we are all capable of change when we are ready.
I practice from a person-centred, strengths-based, Recovery oriented, and trauma-informed framework. I have extensive experience in providing mental health counselling and addiction counselling, and specialise in concurrent disorders.
I provide individual therapy using the following counselling modalities: