Therapists in M5R

***NOW ACCEPTING CLIENTS FOR PHONE/VIDEO*** When our thoughts get the better of us and we feel overwhelmed, I believe there is always hope to reach the peace for which we all yearn. Through psychotherapy, I support clients struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, identity, and relationships. We all have times when we aren’t sure where we stand in our lives and with others, so I offer a safe and welcoming space where clients can express and find themselves. We are complex individuals with our own unique stories made up of our experiences. Therapy is an empowering space where we can explore these without judgment.

Do you feel lonely, empty, overwhelmed or stuck? Does it seem like bad things are always happening to you while everyone else is living a happy life? Do you and your partner have the same fights over and over again? I can help you resolve these issues. I am a warm, down-to-earth, authentic, honest, and empathic person who genuinely cares about your well-being. I help individuals work through a wide variety of issues including those related to anxiety, depression, obsessionality, trauma, dissociation, guilt, shame, insomnia, relationships, sexual orientation, eating, and identity and self-esteem. I embrace and celebrate diversity.

When you are feeling out of sorts. When you are feeling like you are no longer in control of your own story. When are looking to make a change and try a different path, I might just be the counsellor for you. I use a client centered approach to help you find your own story again and give you the tools to be content in the identity you are discovering for yourself. We can develop a solution that gives you more control over your own life. For online and out of London, ON, you can book here https://www.shiftcollab.com/therapists/kimberly-gautreau

Dear Reader: The reason I get out of bed every morning is not because I believe life is easy - but that it is difficult. What makes life difficult is the fact, that it presents an endless series of problems which require solutions. The very process of confronting and solving life's problems can be a painful one; at times full of sadness, confusion, anxiety, hurt, anger, fear and loneliness. These are uncomfortable feelings, sometimes highly distressing and can equal the worst kind of physical pain. Fearing the suffering involved, almost all of us have attempted to avoid confronting these problems.

My goal is to support and guide you back to wellness no matter the trials and tribulations that life presents. I have a keen interest in supporting anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and trauma. Above all, I take pride in building genuine therapeutic relationships with my clients while helping them become the best versions of themselves. Having started my own therapeutic journey as a client myself, I can more deeply appreciate the importance of this client-therapist relationship. The therapeutic journey is not always easy, but I believe that we are stronger together.

Anxiety can paralyze us. Strong emotions can turn our lives upside down. One sentence expressed in a moment of anger can lead to many moments of pain. Being human has never been an easy experience. In the context of COVID, war, and financial hardship, being human has become exceedingly difficult for many. In our attempts to move forward, many of us rely on strategies we think ought to work, but in fact make things more complicated for us. In the midst of strong emotions, we try to avoid the situations and people that lead us to these experiences.

In my years of practice, my focus has been centred around individuals from different walks of life (i.e race, religion, gender, sexual orientation etc). Particularly, ones who have trauma, body image issues, low self esteem, fibromyalgia, phobias and/or are anxious, depressed, stressed, destructive, angry, lonely, abused and in or have been in the child welfare system. In regards to my approach, I am genuine and compassionate, but remain equally honest and direct. Rather than bombarding clients with endless questions, I aim to engage them through meaningful methods and effective interventions.

Greetings! I am a Muslim, queer-allied, trauma focused therapist. No matter where you are in your journey, I welcome you to explore, reflect on, and create a compassionate relationship with your inner world. I draw primarily from a dialectical behavioral and attachment framework, as well as parts work and psychodynamics. These frameworks are useful for anyone grappling with trauma, depression/anxiety, ADHD, grief, relationship challenges, and others. My goal is to empower clients to build internal capacity and strengthen their relationship with their internal landscape to better cope with the realities of the world.

I have experience working with both neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals supporting them with a variety of issues including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, adjustment disorders and high risk behaviours. I have been the therapist in a live-in treatment setting for dual-diagnosed youth identified as “complex care” and a therapist in both day treatment classrooms and community-based settings. Most recently, I co-developed an autism mental health counselling program at a community mental health organization in Toronto, providing neurodiversity-affirming treatment to children and youth with mental health

Do you feel disconnected or overwhelmed with life? I welcome you to our shared therapeutic space, where we walk together to explore your challenges and regain a sense of safety and resilience. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, grief, identity issues, addictions, or traumatic experiences, I hold an open, empathic, non-judgemental environment where we collaborate on the approach that matches your needs. This is your journey, and your input matters deeply to me.

I provide psychotherapy to clients dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, low self-esteem, and interpersonal difficulties. I deeply value creating positive rapport and building a therapeutic alliance, in order to make my clients feel comfortable, in a safe and non-judgmental setting. I am committed to diversity, inclusion, equity, and anti-racism within my practice. Through a collaborative approach, I can help you to engage in deeper self-exploration, as well as guide you towards building healthier habits creating long-term, positive change.

My aim is to help individuals, couples and families to reach their full potential. Many individuals experience difficulties after a marriage breakdown, job layoff, mid-life crisis, an accident or serious disease, the death of a close relative or friend, a business failure and so on. Emotional and behavioural problems affect individuals from all walks of life, at all income levels, and at all ages. Services provided by mental health professionals are an integral part of one's complete health care. I help people go from feeling stuck in some area of their lives to achieving their own definition of success.

***NOW ACCEPTING CLIENTS FOR IN-PERSON (SAUGA/VAUGHAN) AND PHONE/VIDEO*** Let’s be honest, life is hard, and in many ways, we juggle more today than we ever have! Life’s challenges can leave us feeling stressed, confused, demotivated, even helpless and hopeless. It can be a tough road to travel, but you don't have to walk it alone. As a therapist, I don’t think anyone should feel that way. I am committed to supporting my clients with guidance, care, and connected to the proper resources. With experience working with youth, students, adults, and parents, I enjoy collaborating with clients on a variety of challenges.

Andrew Guthrie, Ph.D., Tcpp dip., R.P. has been a psychotherapist in Toronto since 2000. He trained at Concordia and McGill Universities, the University of Toronto, the Toronto Child Psychoanalytic Program, and the Toronto Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis. He offers psychodynamic assessments and psychotherapy that reflect a deep knowledge of the psychotherapy field and a genuine commitment to the patients in his care. He treats a wide variety of emotional and behavioural problems with his professional yet compassionate approach. Please call or email for more information, or visit his website www.therapyintoronto.com.

In order to work effectively on something, we must know its root and nature. I believe that half the battle is truly understanding why our struggles are occurring in the first place. Once we know the root of the concern and the thoughts, feelings, experiences, and ideas that reinforce its existence, we can then begin to dismantle its power—brick by brick. I believe in holding space for people to tell their stories and explore parts of themselves they may have never before felt safe to share with others. It is through this brave process of standing face-to-face with every part of who we are that we can decide who we would like to be.

I work with clients who are finding their true identity and ready to release any aspect of themselves and their story that no longer serve them. This includes clients that have unresolved experiences from their recent or distant past that would like professional guidance in processing such from a trauma-informed and empathic lens. Clients that are ready for change and able to dedicate their energy to their own healing, in and out of session, with my support. Clients that may feel stuck, low-mood, unmotivated or confused in how to progress in life but are feeling called to evolve into a fulfilled & grateful version of themselves.

During the decade I spent working as a social scientist, I heard stories of strength, resilience, and courage. I also heard stories of humiliation, abuse, and grief. Throughout, what I have found most compelling is the storytelling. If you are here and are considering reaching out, I cannot wait to hear your story. My own journey with therapy has led me here. For most of my life, I felt I was walking in the dark, often stumbling and getting hurt. When I began therapy, it felt like someone switched a light on, allowing me to finally see the obstacles I had been running into. My goal is to help each client to turn on their own light.

You have tremendous power. The power to define your world, your relationships, your life. The power to be your true self. Yet, life can bring challenges that make us feel powerless. Passion can turn into doubt, fear, and anger. Love and joy can become pain and emptiness. For many of us, no single event alone changes us, but at some point, we find ourselves lost. I believe in the power of hope. I believe you can rediscover your strength, purpose, and sense of control. You can reclaim yourself—your courage, confidence, clarity, creativity, and compassion. I have hope that you can be who you want to be, no matter what comes your way.

I always approach my clients in with an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, harm reduction framework. What does that mean? It means that I will always ask "what happened to you?" instead of asking "what's wrong with you?". It also means that I will always respect you as the expert in your own life. Finally, it means that I believe that everyone does their very best to survive and thrive each day–even on the days that we can't see any hope. I am here to be with you, even through the darkest of days, and help you find inspiration and hope within yourself.