We are honoured to go on this journey in therapy with you. On this journey we will explore your hopes, dreams, preferences and commitments. We will walk with you during moments of discomfort, We will share your moments of joy and discovery, and we will be the audience to your courage and resilience.
What to expect in therapy.
The decision to begin therapy can be a difficult one. It is a big commitment to an often unknown experience. You might feel uncomfortable, awkward, or nervous when you first meet with a therapist. You might be unsure of what to say and worried what your therapist will think. This is not uncommon and with the help of your therapist the feeling will ease over time.
Therapy is a partnership between you and your therapist. It is a collaborative process where you will play a significant role in determining the direction the conversations will take and ensuring that your journey in therapy is moving forward as you choose. You will find courage and resilience within you to be able to sit with the difficult stories, experiences, emotions, and thoughts that surface.
When we first meet I will to get to know you as more than just the problem you are seeking therapy for. Problems tend to hide your abilities, values, desires, talents, and many other qualities that are important for me to know about. Problems can be sneaky that way. I will work hard to see these parts of you that are in the shadows of the problem as we work toward reducing its impact in your life. As your therapist I will maintain a stance of curiousity as I get to know you. I will ask many questions as I seek to understand your hopes and preferences for your life. I will be transparent with my thoughts and ideas about our conversations so that you will never be left wondering about what I am thinking. I will stand with you against the weight of the problem’s influence in your life and I will guide you and support you in this process as I make it a safe place for you to embark on your therapy journey.
Therapy Services
Affordable Therapy
Affordable therapy is offered by therapy interns who are master level students working towards completion of their degree in Counselling Psychology. At this stage in their education students have completed the coursework component of their university program and are licensed to practice as Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying). Therapy interns bring skill and experience with therapeutic interventions in a safe and judgment free space. Therapy interns hold sessions under the direct supervision of a Registered Clinical Supervisor and offer reduced rates for online therapy.
Common issues therapy interns are able to support include:
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Worry or anxiety
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Sadness or depression
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Grief and loss
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Stress and expectations
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Self-criticism
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Unhealthy relationships
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Adjusting to life transitions
Nina Waddington, our current therapy intern, practices under the direct supervision of Shari Lecker, Registered Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor.
Individual Therapy
You don’t have to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder to seek individual therapy. Engaging in one-on-one therapy can be an opportunity to address issues that come up in your day-to-day life that leave you feeling upset, frustrated, stressed, or worried. In sessions with just you we can develop a meaningful connection where I will show up without assumptions and listen without judgments. Collaboratively we will explore what may be underlying your concerns and I will offer you new perspectives and ideas to help improve your ability to cope with the challenges that brought you to therapy.
Common concerns individuals bring to therapy include:
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Unhealthy relationships with your self and/or others
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Sadness or depression
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Worry or anxiety
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Stress and expectations
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Self-criticism
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Grief and loss
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Past or current trauma
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Adjusting to life transitions
Child and Youth Therapy
Children and youth can be hesitant or uncomfortable when beginning therapy for several reasons that may include worrying about being judged or what the therapist will think of them. I will help you identify and address your fears and uncertainties about therapy while building a safe and comfortable connection where you can explore the thoughts, feelings, and concerns that brought you to seek help. We will work together to keep you engaged and hopeful as we build on your strengths and help you develop deeper understandings of yourself, your skills, interests, and passions. While maintaining your privacy and confidentiality I encourage the support of your parents as I believe that your parents can learn how to support you in ways that work for you. I will provide a space to make it possible for you and your parents to join together to challenge and overcome the trouble in your life. If you choose to seek therapy independent of your parents, I will honour your preference and together we will choose how to keep them informed.
Common concerns addressed in child and youth therapy include:
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Sadness or depression
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Worry or anxiety
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Regulating emotions
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Low self-esteem, self-criticism, difficulties with body image
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Peer relationships and/or bullying
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Stress, performance and expectations
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Transitions and pressures of growing up
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Exploring identity
Family Therapy
In family therapy problems are understood in the context of the system of the family where problems are addressed with the whole family rather than with one individual. In my work with families, sessions are sometimes with the whole family present, other times sessions are with just several members of the family, and sometimes separate sessions with individual family members are helpful as we move toward healing the whole family. As your therapist I will offer unbiased, objective observations and insights in a calm and neutral space. We will work together to explore what each family member may be communicating through their behavior and emotional responses as we move toward developing healthy boundaries, enhancing your communication, and increasing your understanding and empathy for each other.
Common concerns families bring to therapy include:
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Conflict between parents
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Parent and youth conflict
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Boundaries and expectations
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Communication difficulties
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Family transitions
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Trauma experienced by one or more family members
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Mental health issues experienced by one or more family members
Parent and Caregiver Support
Parenting is difficult. As a parent myself, I understand that it is one of the hardest jobs we have in our lifetime and yet we find ourselves in the role of a parent without training or an instruction manual. Without judgment or evaluation, I will curiously explore your experience and allow you to share the joys and challenges, the times you feel good and the times you feel unsure about your parenting. Together we will explore and make sense of the interactions between you and your child, and I will gently offer new and alternative ideas that may help you move closer to being the parent you hope to be.
Common reasons parents and caregivers seek support include:
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Tantrums
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Bedtime battles
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Separation anxiety
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School concerns
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Friendship problems
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Parent frustration and emotions
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Conflicting parenting styles
Connect with me for a free, no obligation 15-minute consultation if you have any questions for me about my therapy services.