Offering individual and group psychotherapy in London Ontario:

Individual therapy

What is it for?
We come to therapy because we are unhappy with some aspect of ourselves or relationships or careers, or our health or emotions or habits. We may be looking for help with depression or anxiety, or struggling with a problem like an eating disorder, overeating or addiction (your own or someone else’s). We may have suffered a trauma or grief, or may have trouble keeping healthy relationships. A life change such as a new job, new school, job loss or a move may have left you feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope.

“How psychotherapy helps”

How does talking about these things help? When we explore feelings, thoughts, behaviours – ourselves – in a relaxed atmosphere and with the calm, kind attention of an objective other, we allow ourselves time to become more deeply aware of ourselves. Awareness leads to change in a variety of ways. With awareness, we can let unhelpful patterns go; we can embrace more meaningful, trusting relationships; we can live more contented lives.

Psychotherapy is basically a series of meetings between two people, where one person (the client) is seeking to change. Clients are encouraged and challenged by a psychotherapist to change the way they look at the world, themselves, and their own possibilities. Usually, the clients’ most difficult struggle is to learn to accept and trust themselves at a fundamental level. As the dialogue deepens with the psychotherapist, clients find that even deeply ingrained habits of negative self-talk and core beliefs become conscious and can be softened and released.

“Psychotherapy is challenging work”

Self-exploration is not for the faint-hearted. It can be uncomfortable to look at feelings, thoughts and memories which are troubling or painful. It can also feel humbling when we realize that our best efforts at change sometimes fail. It can seem that nothing helps. Accepting and working through these experiences in therapy is what transforms us.

For some, the change happens fairly rapidly. For others, deeply ingrained problems may take longer to resolve. It helps to be confident that you have the right therapist.

Group Therapy

In group therapy, there are up to eight people who meet regularly, together with a therapist. Members gather to mutually examine the issues they are facing in their lives, their personal and work relationships, problematic behaviours, etc. Members share the experience of growing together within a confidential, supportive group. The topics for any particular meeting are usually set by the group members themselves, so can change from meeting to meeting

There is an emphasis, in group work, on learning how to express ourselves and our feelings. Exchanges between group members within a safe environment are an invaluable tool, not only in learning about how others handle situations similar to our own, but also in how we ourselves influence other people. Group members work to sustain an environment in which members can trust each other to talk honestly and deeply. This means that group members make a commitment to attend the group regularly, to respect mutually agreed group rules, and to keep content of the group sessions are confidential.

Currently, there are two groups being offered. One group is strictly for women, and meets alternate Tuesday evenings. The other group is for people struggling with emotional spending issues, and meets on Friday afternoons. For either group, one can call to arrange in intake session.