My Approach:
Psychotherapy helps expose you to yourself – to see what you are made of. When we drop our defences something new is possible because we have become more vulnerable to ourselves.
What can you help me with?
I can help with the following concerns:
- Anxiety, Work Stress
- Depression, Grief & Loss, Bereavement
- Relational Issues, Separation, Divorce, Couples
- Confidence, Self Esteem
- Eating Disorders, Body images issues
- Confusion, Inner conflict, Self destructive tendencies
- Despair, Isolation
- Mid-life issues
- Anger, Abuse
- Personal Development, Resiliency, Flexibility
- Living with Chronic Illness
- Phobias
- Obsessions, Perfectionism, compulsive behaviour
Is it confidential?
I am committed to protecting your privacy and confidentiality. No information is shared or communicated with a third party without your expressed and written consent. There are legal limits to your confidentiality that I will communicate to you when we first meet.
How many sessions do I need?
How long therapy continues is dependent on the nature of the issues considered. Ongoing chronic patterns of depression and anxiety may require a long-term commitment. Other clients find that once they have more awareness about their issues they are satisfied with a few sessions. Some clients find more layers of themselves that need to be uncovered. The choice is up to you. Typically clients come weekly but attending bi-weekly or monthly may be a more suitable choice given the need of the individual.
Won’t it get worse bringing up an old issues?
Let’s be clear - there is a price to be paid for awareness. Therapy requires some energy and old issues resurfacing may be hard to tolerate in the moment emotionally. Engaging in therapy is an act of courage. Speaking to a trained professional will, in the long run, not make it worse. I am a skilled non-judgmental listener that will provide confidential support. You need to be heard. Old issues lose their potency when you bring your awareness to them. I help you to do this so that new insights provide you with different choices.
How does therapy benefit? How does it work?
We have all heard the term ‘being in the moment’. This can be difficult to do as we are often dwelling in the past or thinking of the future. Both are places that often create anxiety. If we can be in the present moment we can build awareness of ourselves, our habits, our distress or our desires. This is when change and choice is possible. While in therapy we will endeavor to create a trusting co-creative relationship in the moment. I will act as a keen observer and compassionate witness receptive to your awareness. The insights that you gain will offer a new clarity and allow you to feel more alive to create the life you want.
What is Gestalt therapy?
A Gestalt therapy session will take into account the whole of who you are – mind, body and emotions – and will support you to become more aware of how you are so you can be more effective in your life. Self awareness is the aim of the sessions and inevitably fuels change. It has been said that Gestalt is a practice ‘from the neck down, rather than the head up’ to emphasize the importance of our body and emotions as aspects within our awareness. I will support you in exploring and expressing feelings, noticing how you experience them within your body and identifying what is new in your awareness. Wiki link here.
Can I call with other questions?
Yes, of course. I will respond to your questions over the phone. 416-203-9938.