Therapists in H4A

If today seems like an interminable day, and sets the stage for a profound apprehension for tomorrow, whether individually, within your couple or your family; it is maybe time to consult. Whomever you choose, be sure to be comfortable and feel safe. If you are interested in someone who has a compassionate ear and a reassuring expertise, perhaps we could work collaboratively at finding ways to foster harmony, confidence and peace for you and your close ones. Trained as Couple and Family Therapist at Syracuse University, I work as much with couples, families as individuals.

With my more than 15 years of experience in psychotherapy, I can help you understand why you feel anxious, sad, or confused, and to make sense of your experience. I can support you discovering what is really going on with you, until the point when you feel at home and at peace with yourself, and thus be able to take control of your life and grow as a person. I am also a university professor teaching clinical psychology and a psychotherapy researcher, which allows me to combine evidence-based beneficial approaches to fit your unique situation and needs.

Are you anxious, depressed, or struggling to really feel connected to yourself? Do your emotions feel too intense? Are old patterns or past experiences holding you back or negatively influencing how you deal with situations in the present? In therapy, you can have a space to express yourself and to gain clarity on your thoughts and emotions. Together we can explore aspects of your reality that are harder to define and that go beyond what you already know and can explain about yourself. This can lead you to that exciting place where new insights and self-awareness emerge, and change can happen in your life.

Over the years as a helping professional I realized that people care less about clever language and elaborate techniques and more about receiving sincere love and compassion, living hope and courage, honest feedback, and new perspectives. What proved to help is having the mutual trust to explore and work on intimate, sometimes painful topics, step-by-step. Together, we invite your strengths and natural wisdom to take the steering wheel of your life, letting go of the grasp of your fears and limiting self-beliefs. Together, we also help you chose and create new habits towards a better ways of being.

Have you struggled with feelings of depression, anxiety or anger that you believe are beyond your control? Do you have difficulty getting along with family or friends? Have you turned to alcohol or drugs to cope? Have you experienced trauma or abuse? I can help you feel more balanced and in control. We work together to help you identify problematic ways of thinking, learn new ways of coping, and meet your goals. We can work on current issues or things that are troubling you from your past, whichever you choose. I also do assessments for legal purposes.

**Please note that the best way to reach me is via email either directly from this site or at deborah.schwartzman@mail.mcgill.ca** We all feel sad and anxious at times, but some of us worry excessively about things that are unlikely to happen, feel tense all day long, or feel so unhappy that it becomes impossible to do the things we used to enjoy. My work with individuals is to get to the bottom of the problem and find solutions. I draw on principles of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) to explore how your thoughts, feelings and behaviors interact and affect your ability to cope with challenging situations.

Are you ready to re-engage with yourself and others? I will work with you to bring clarity to your past and present feelings, thoughts and behaviours. By helping you become aware of your fears and patterns that make you struggle, i will guide you towards the change you desire. Together we will tailor the work we do to suit your goals. You will surprise yourself looking inwards taking care of the little child, discovering your inner potentials and building your self-esteem at your own pace. You will find your quality of life and relationships improve.

Do you want to gain insight about yourself and your relationships? Are you looking for strategies to manage painful emotions, stress, or anxiety? I view counselling as a shared journey in which I bring my compassion, professional knowledge and understanding along to assist you in your own path of self discovery, growth and healing. Counselling can be used as a tool to learn more about yourself, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and gain more agency in your life. As humans, our identity is often layered and complex, and I seek to empower your most authentic self.

People seek help for specific reasons such as eating disorders, psycho-somatic conditions, obsessional behaviour, or phobic anxieties. At other times help is sought because of more general underlying feelings of depression or anxiety, difficulties in concentrating, dissatisfaction in work or inability to form satisfactory relationships. We believe in a mind-body connection so that improvements in psychological well-being translate into physical vitality. The benefits of our psychotherapy and counselling work include self-insight, inner fulfillment, raised self-esteem, a positive outlook and improved relationships.

I have been working to help my clients overcome difficulties and challenges in private practice as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Creative Arts Therapist since 2004. I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families in a supportive and strength based framework, helping my clients identify and work through whatever may be holding them back from manifesting their best self. I have treated clients with issues related to/stemming from: Depression, Anxiety, Self-mutilative behaviours, Bullying/social marginalization, Eating Disorders, Sexuality, Adjustment Disorders, Family Life Cycle Events, Divorce, Trauma, Illness / grief. Additionally I am trained in EMDR and employ this modality when applicable.

After 20 years of practice, I am driven now more than ever to help individuals and couples achieve meaningful and courageous changes in their lives. Whether what ails you stems from symptoms of OCD, sexual addiction, depression, anxiety, relationship or other life challenges, I will take the time to listen to you with empathy and curiosity but without judgement. Our sessions will seek to enpower you to clearly articulate and implement the tangible changes you wish to effect in your life. I am well versed in cognitive behavioural therapies, mindfulness and brief solution-focused and intercultural therapies.

My therapeutic approach is psychoanalytic. When the mind is in conflict with itself it can lead to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and self defeating behaviours. By making sense of the unconscious mind and its conflicts, one can begin to heal from past experiences, improve current relationships and develop a more fulfilling relationship with oneself.

There are points in all our lives when we need outside help. Understanding your emotions and behaviors that are informed by past experiences and negatively affect your self-esteem and relationships with others is challenging. Often we want to change but don't know how. Developing a therapeutic alliance where you feel safe expressing and exploring all the parts of yourself- the good & the bad, is a valuable gift you can give to yourself. I value helping clients to explore the complexity of their beings, process pain, and use their struggles as opportunities for personal awakening and change.

I believe that seeking support from another human being is a very natural thing to do. As a therapist, I believe that my humanity is an asset in supporting clients as they work through challenges, developing a deeper understanding of their lives. As a counsellor and art therapist, I focus on creating a therapeutic relationship based on trust, where I bring a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach paired with my training to help clients work through whatever challenges they are facing. I have a special passion for working with immigrants and refugees: as a newcomer to Canada, I understand the struggles that are often presented.

I believe that counselling is a collaboration, and that the stories we all create as we go through life can be explored, challenged and enriched in the therapeutic space. As we uncover the elements of your story together, we’ll get curious about what’s been hindering as well as supporting you—all while finding a path forward that keeps your core values at the center of our practice.

My approach to therapy is evidence-based, interactive, relational, & motivational. As I believe that the relationship between the therapist and client is what is most healing & helpful in therapy, I strive to create a comfortable & supportive atmosphere where difficult issues can be addressed. When people feel supported & understood; they are often more able to face challenges. I also help clients become more aware of the obstacles which prevent them from leading more satisfying lives & improving their relationships. Sometimes that may involve exploring past experiences and/or it may involve learning new concrete coping skills