Therapists in Whitby, ON

While it can be a difficult process to admit when we need help, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes things come up for us in life, both from our past as well as our present, that may demand us to seek out help, and that’s okay. I typically work with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, identity issues, sexual issues, and relationship issues. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I specialize in working with LGBTQ+ clients, and I am passionate about advocating for and supporting marginalized groups.

Are you coming to therapy with questions about your identity, trauma, taking up space, doubt, or how to navigate change or difficult relationship dynamics? Do you feel like you might be the only person who has ever felt this way? Or like anxiety has been keeping you from accessing the support you deserve? As a queer person who has benefited greatly from my own therapy, I know how important it is to have a nonjudgmental space where I can show up as my whole and authentic self and have my grief, loss, and doubts witnessed and validated. I would be honoured to create that space with you.

The most important part of psychotherapy is feeling comfortable with and trusting the therapist you are going to share your personal issues with. I invite you to a free consultation to see if I am the right fit for you. I handle many issues and specialize in GRIEF and LOSS (including loss of a pet and a loved one to Dementia), Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, and Trauma including PTSD. I work from a positive, strength based perspective and choose the right technique and interventions to help you according to your personality, likes and dislikes, and individuality.

The difficult emotions you might be feeling, such as anxiety, sadness, resentment, guilt, or overwhelm to name a few, are guides that are here to tell you something about your experiences or your beliefs. When ignored, they get louder, when avoided, more painful. I will seek to understand your experience, and go at your pace, as you tell the stories of what is happening for you, and what has happened. When we face together, what is painful and confusing alone, new realizations and understanding can emerge.

Problems are inevitable and normal in life, some can be small and some bigger than one can handle. At that time an extra set of hands surely help. I can be that extra set of hands to pick you up when you are down by listening to you without judging, guiding you to get back to the rhythm of life, and cheering you from side lines, using some time tested techniques that have helped many to overcome trauma, depression, anxiety, anger issues, addictions and grief, to name a few. I have helped many people in my 25 years of professional life in USA and Canada. I invite you to join me to explore your unending possibilities in life.

As your therapist, I will guide you through your own journey with your mental health. I hope to improve your quality of life, better your relationship with yourself, and be there for you when you need me. I focus on managing stress, reducing symptoms of anxiety, regulating your nervous system, increasing your self-awareness, processing trauma and emotional pain, and working through shame and self-criticism. I tailor each session to your goals and needs and even make custom handouts to better support & guide you. If these are not your goals for therapy and you simply just want to talk I'm here for that too!

I work collaboratively with people willing to engage in self-reflection who may be experiencing depression, anxiety, loss, self-esteem issues and interpersonal conflicts. From a stance of empathy and acceptance, I invite clients to practice self-compassion and aim to empower them to become their own agents of change and live more meaningful lives.

My passion is helping people in distress find their unique voices and build positive relationships.I hold a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Guelph and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Toronto.I have been practicing for over 25 years; originally in the public sector including Children's Aid Society, Bridgepoint Health & Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. I have been in Private Practice for the last 10 years. My practice is informed by a range of therapy models including, psychodynamic, family systems, cognitive behavioural, conflict resolution, narrative and emotion focused therapies.

I know how intimidating it can be to reach out for help and take this first step. I am grateful that I get to accompany my clients during this journey. I work from a biopsychosocial framework. I know that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to therapy and I aim to customize my approach according to each client and their individual needs. I have a lot of passion and experience working with individuals who are struggling with both substance and process addictions through my many years of working directly with these individuals in withdrawal management centres, inpatient treatment centres and sober living homes across Ontario.

Therapy is a way out of feeling helpless & hopeless. At The Insight Clinic our priority is getting you results. We focus on building a genuine, empathetic, & positive relationship with you that will bring out your strengths and move you to a better place. Whether for you or a loved one, seeking help to improve your relationships, emotional regulation, & quality of life can be daunting. It's normal to feel doubt. We use a non-judgemental approach that considers the influence of traumatic memories on current issues. This will shed light onto solutions you haven’t seen before.

It takes courage to begin therapy, and yet it is also your first step towards bringing about the change you desire. It takes belief in self that you are capable of becoming the person you want to be. I work with you to provide a safe, supportive environment that is based on trust that allows you to realize your own potential for growth beyond the difficulties you face. I have witnessed countless times clients who have shown how much they can overcome. Together we apply a mindfulness therapeutic approach, grounded in efficacy-based techniques from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Positive Therapy and other.

Navigating the complexities of life can feel overwhelming and I want you to know that you don’t have to navigate them alone. I am committed to offering support to adolescents and adults experiencing symptoms related to anxiety, stress, depression, relationship concerns, grief, life transitions and/or self-esteem. My intention is to offer you a compassionate and non-judgmental space where it feels safe to navigate self-discovery, focusing on what you can do create a fulfilling and meaningful life. We will work toward developing a strong sense of self, building self-compassion and resiliency, and effective coping strategies.

Looking for the right therapist can be challenging and stressful. When I sit across from a client, I value and respect that I am being invited into important, personal situations, thoughts, and vulnerabilities. My philosophy to clinical work comes from my belief that you are trying to do the best you can and want support to do better. I will both accept you for where you are at, while helping you pushing toward the change you are looking for. I collaborate with my clients to then tailor the therapy I provide to the individual-pulling on my experience, trainings, and the understanding that we all are human.

We all feel lost sometimes or face life challenges and relationships that can feel overwhelming. Life is tough, but I believe we all have the ability to overcome hardships. Together, we can explore your concerns and past traumas, working towards lasting change that helps you progress toward the person and future you desire and deserve. I believe in a collaborative approach that empowers and motivates you during the therapeutic process. It's important to me to not only understand and address your concerns throughout therapy, but also to remind you of your strengths and capacity to contribute to goal setting and problem solving.

Please note I am only taking new clients online at this time. What can you expect from me? Someone who is easy to open up to, compassionate, and non-judgmental. Time to talk about the things that are hardest to discuss and make important decisions. Someone with fifteen years of professional experience working anxiety, depression, and trauma, as well as everything from shame and grief, anger and fear, to contentment and joy. Time to order your thoughts, take a breath, and find balance.

Namaste! I provide individual, relationship and marriage counselling, in a nonjudgmental, relaxed environment. Over the last 35 years I have worked with individuals and couples guiding, teaching and helping them by using an eclectic approach, and a variety of different types of modalities depending on the particular needs of my clients. I also provide family mediation and relationship counselling for couples who have split. I am a sex therapist, working with all couples and individuals. I specialize in many areas, as I believe all issues are connected, so to treat problems in isolation is unrealistic and can be short lived.

I seek to help clients who suffer from anxiety, grief, depression, have lived through trauma, or struggle with self-esteem, self-forgiveness, and self-kindness. Parents and those in a perinatal period of their life will find particular expertise in my practice. Clients who are willing to actively experiment and question their own perspectives in order to improve their lives will benefit most from therapy with me. I want to help clients find who they really are, to self-actualize and be their genuine selves, leading to mental wellness so that they can thrive.

All of us experience stressors and struggles in our lives. Essentially, it is about how we process these situations that can leave long-lasting impacts. There is no right or wrong way in the processing of these events, rather there are healthy versus unhealthy coping skills. My role is to facilitate your emotional and mental health journey, to aid in building up resiliency so that you are better able to manage and work through those stressors.

I provide individual, couples & family therapy to children, youth & adults. Do you often feel weighed down by feelings of anxiety or sadness? Or maybe you have developed habits or behaviours that are holding you back? Is your life not everything that it could be? Whatever the problem, together we can work towards achieving your goals. Over the years, I have helped hundreds of children, adults, families & couples regain control of their lives & move towards a better future. We will build a trusting, caring & understanding relationship, while helping you to replace unhelpful behaviours & beliefs with ones that are more effective.