Therapists in Barrie, ON

Today, we live in a fast-paced, stressful world. The hardships of balancing our work, education and personal time becomes increasingly hard to achieve. Our responsibilities continue to grow and the world around us is becoming so demanding. Sometimes, to cope we use resources which may, in fact, be harmful to ourselves. Addictions are often felt as shameful and concealed from others. We are all vulnerable to making decisions that are not always in our best interest. I am not here to judge you, but rather provide useful tools which will help provide opportunities for making healthier choices.

I believe that every client has the ability and the desire to reach their potential through personal growth and change. I focus on the unique nature of each client, and I consider them as the expert of their own experience. I view my role as providing clients with empathy and support. I emphasize genuineness and being led by the client, using a team approach. I regard us as equal partners, rather than viewing myself as an expert therapist and the client as being helpless.

I have been working for 20 years in children, adolescent, and family mental health as a registered social worker and Child, Youth and Family Therapist, facilitator, and consultant. I specialize in children’s and family therapy, with particular expertise in helping families and youth with complex mental health needs that impact their ability to manage at home, in school, or both. My goal is to improve the overall functioning of families and each family member, instil hope for a brighter future, and foster resiliency. I create a safe and supportive space, and help you/your family navigate these challenges and to develop/use skills.

I specialize in working with children, youth, and families who experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, Autism, ADHD, ODD, and learning disabilities. My clients often struggle with self-esteem, difficult family events, bullying, navigating peer relationships, social skill development, and emotional regulation. I also work with caregivers to help them manage their children’s behavior. My focus is on teaching caregivers skills that will create spaces and lifestyles geared towards fostering positive development.

I focus heavily on your individual values and helping you discover a meaning-centered life. I believe that therapies and the therapeutic relationship are as unique as the individual, while one style may suit you, it may not suit others. I am mindful of each individual who walks through the door.

You need someone who would help you feel less "stuck" with something that took over many important aspects of your life, and you would like to learn about yourself through your strengths and potentials rather than diagnoses and symptoms only? As a therapist I am working with clients for more than a decade and it still fascinates me how resourceful and committed people can be in their therapy. We choose goals, set the pace and tailor strategies together. You don't have to come "ready" the only expectation is that you are still somewhat curious about what could happen in your life.

Hello and welcome to my page! Have you been feeling anxious or overwhelmed lately? Are you looking to gain some clarity in your next steps or set goals to work towards in your future? Are you looking to understand past narratives that may impact your current relationships? I approach my work with a warm, caring and empathetic lens, combining a perspective that all behaviours reflect an underlying need and that when those needs are met with compassion and understanding, positive change can occur. I would love to work alongside you as we discover ways of coping and healing through difficult times.

My clients often describe the experience of “feeling stuck or trapped” when their inner resources become either depleted or no longer effectively assist them with moving forward in life. If this sounds familiar, I invite you to a shared relational learning experience that is uniquely tailored to your inner journey of self-exploration and provides you with important tools to re-discover yourself. Resilience and hope are results of serious, repeated efforts to overcome life’s challenges. I am here to work through them with you, every step of the way…within a client-centred, non-judgemental, anti-oppressive, and sex positive framework.

Have you experienced grief or loss? Are you going through a life transition? Are you living with health challenges, chronic or acute illness? Have you experienced injury and trauma? Do you provide care to a person living with chronic illness? Are you struggling to navigate through important decisions? Are you hoping to live a more balanced or more meaningful life? Through psychotherapy you can learn about yourself, identify and access your strengths, process past or present experience, gain valuable insight, build your resilience, examine beliefs and identify what you would like to change and how to go about moving forward.

You know that there is more to life and you want it but don't know how to unleash your true potential and take action to shine. Something inside of you is pushing to come out, but you have many negative emotions and thoughts limiting your quality of life, your experiences, and your potential. You want to be free of the constant self-criticism, and negativity that take away your positive energy and bring suffering into your life.

Hidden stress, untreated trauma, fears, long term anxiety and depression can easily cause psychical illness. Bodily signs can be different according to gender and age. Unwrapping those hidden factors can help women with pelvic pain, irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, lack of desire, constipation or sexual difficulties. Erection problems, sex life changes or even an overactive bladder can be physical symptoms of hidden stress for men. Children often experience bed wetting, stomach pain, constipation or voiding difficulties without any medical conditions. My speciality is to help in these psychosomatic conditions.

Feeling overwhelmed by all that’s happening around you can lead to burnout as you try to take care of everything and everyone. You may be a queer recent grad stepping into a new job or exploring a new relationship and as much as you’re excited about these changes, there's a disconnect between your wants and needs. Or you may be a mom who feels guilty or ashamed for not doing or being enough, which is starting to show up in ways that are hurting you and those you care most about. If you are someone feeling stuck in patterns of resentment or disappointment, I am here to support you in bringing more balance and joy back into your life.

*Couples & Trauma Specialist* You may feel like you are having the same argument with your partner. Daily stress piles up and you grow further apart from one another, feeling tension and disconnect. You feel alone in your relationship. You feel frustrated, angry and hopeless, asking yourself what went wrong. You are tired of arguments and long for the love and emotional connection you felt at the beginning of your relationship. Most couples get stuck in a negative cycle and the cycle is the problem. Together we will untangle this stuck pattern and find the emotional connection, love, and peace that you want in your relationship.

I provide supervised psychological services to adolescents and adults from varying life experiences who are experiencing emotional dysregulation, interpersonal challenges, and overwhelming life transitions, along with other challenges. Using a compassionate, holistic, and collaborative therapeutic approach, we will work together as you navigate your thoughts and emotions, while exploring challenges that interfere with day-to-day activities, to restore your inner balance. I believe therapy works best when we consider your unique life experiences and individual needs.

Greetings! My approach is centered around your holistic well-being while celebrating your strengths and unique qualities. Whether you are battling interpersonal challenges, intergenerational or other traumas, attachment injuries, identity crises, anxiety, or self-doubt, I am here to help. My goal is to empower and build your resilience through various interventions while gently guiding you towards achieving your goals and enhancing your self-awareness and coping skills. Together, we will enrich your toolkit and support you in navigating intense emotions.

It takes courage and insight to ask for help! If you are a student or international student who is frustrated, challenged with schedules and deadlines, maybe have learning disabilities, struggle with priorities, need help navigating school, educators, schedules, and relationships - I am here to help! I am an immigrant and worked with college/university students as a faculty, clinical educator, and program coordinator. Coaching, culturally sensitive, and using strength-based counseling coupled with CBT and mindfulness I can help to get passed the frustration, struggles, and how going to school can be done with ease and enjoyment!

****ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS****Are you battling feelings of disconnection and discontent? Do your needs often take a backseat in your life? Do you ponder if life could be more fulfilling and happier? In today's demanding world, many are grappling with anxiety, overwhelm, and uncertainty in managing relationships, careers, and lives overall. Neglecting your needs and lacking self-care can lead to prolonged mental and physical concerns. We firmly believe life shouldn't be this tough. Healing Roots Therapy (HRT) is a dedicated clinic, blending evidence-based healing methods with traditional psychotherapy for comprehensive care.