Therapists in Ottawa, ON

I offer individual and couples therapy in the following specializations: • Anxiety and Depression • Interpersonal/Relationship issues • Life transitions • Goal setting • Work/Life balance • Anger Management • Domestic Violence • Family Conflict • Infidelity • Marital and Premarital • Self Esteem • Stress • Trauma and PTSD • Women's Issues

Hello. My practice specializes in issues with sexuality, sexual dysfunction, infidelity, infertility, couple dynamics and the often connected feelings of anxiety, depression and shame. I offer respectful, judgment free compassionate care to clients experiencing troubling emotions and behaviours and work to release and heal feelings of guilt/fear/hurt related to sexual dysfunction, intimacy and identity. I work extensively with both individuals and couples in the areas of high/low sexual desire, arousal/orgasm disorders and Erectile Dysfunction, among others. My practice is LGBTQIA2S+Kink and Ethical non-monogamy supportive.

My clients have had psychotherapy before, and have realized they want more than a coach! I offer a warm, relational, depth-oriented approach to individuals looking for help with existential concerns and avoidance. I am also available for couples work using an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) framework, particularly around infidelity. I am accepting new clients for virtual sessions only as of April 2024.

I focus on clients with relationship or sexuality concerns. This encompasses all types of relationships, including those that are ethically non-monogamous or LGBTQ+. I am also inclusive of BDSM and kink in sexuality. Currently, I am working with people from a diverse cultural background who are dealing with issues surrounding infidelity, relationship conflict, pornography, sex work, non-monogamy, and gender/sexual identity.

Since 2001, I have supported individuals and couples to deal with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, work place stress, burnout, sexual and relationship and self-esteem issues, and existential issues related to meaning and purpose. I can help you deal with couple problems (e.g., intimacy, communication), repair your relationship after injuries, such as affairs or betrayals, and improve your sex life. I have presented at national conferences and published book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles in the area of couples and sex therapy. I can support you to build a more, secure resilient self and strengthen your relationships.

Are you experiencing conflict, stress, or grief? Not connecting with your partner? Worried about your child or teen? Our team of 12 therapists at Family-Therapy, can help you with life's challenges. We work with individuals, children, teens, families, couple, & stepfamilies. We address addictions, anxiety, blended family issues, burnout, parenting depression, communication, divorce, affairs, grief, loss, PTSD, parent-youth issues, personal development, relationships, postpartum issues, school issues, bullying, stress, LGBTQ2 issues, workplace conflict and more. We offer respectful, nonjudgemental & compassionate care. Call today.

I work with individuals, couples and families of all cultural/spiritual backgrounds. I use an eclectic treatment approach to address anxiety, depression, anger, communication issues and relationship recovery, addictions, work/life balance, self-esteem, post-traumatic stress, career and many other issues. I believe that active listening is at the heart of effective therapy, and I work to help my clients find their own hidden strengths, empowering them to effectively resolve their issues. My personal life mission is to assist my clients in identifying solutions to the problems that prevent them from enjoying their lives to the fullest extent possible.

As a Certified Emotionally Focused Therapist (EFT), I hope to help you find the strength to meet even the most difficult challenges in your life. In addition to my advanced training in EFT, I have a strong foundation in mindfulness-based practices. I'm also deeply aware of the science behind our emotional reactions, including the impact of trauma. I believe this combined approach can offer deep emotional healing and practical skills for working with relationship issues, trauma, anxiety, depression and major transitions.

Currently accepting new clients. "Therapy really works!” This is my experience with therapy as well as many other people’s therapy experience with me. I believe that you can have a similar experience - an experience that you will feel understood and empowered. Part of the reasons that makes therapy work is because as a therapist, I am non-judgmental, emphatic, compassionate, and genuine. I am also trained in many different psychotherapy modalities that I will tailor our therapy sessions to your unique needs. I can use practical approaches as well as insight oriented approaches.

Gerard Vardy is a dedicated and compassionate professional trauma and addictions psychotherapist with over twenty years of experience.

Has your relationship gone flat? Are you living as roommates rather than romantic partners? Do you have repetitive arguments that go nowhere? Do you give or receive the cold shoulder when things get heated? Do you want to rebuild a more enjoyable, loving and flourishing relationship with your partner? A great relationship, one in which you grow together rather than merely stay together, brings joy, enhances overall happiness, has physical health benefits, brings a sense of companionship, provides safety and stability and at the same time allows you the space to grow and challenges you to become the best version of yourself.

My philosophy is that the past builds our being through the experiences we had and the lessons we learned. These experiences help to shape our sense of meaning and personal fulfilment through our journey. Therefore, I believe that it is important to explore the past and see how it shapes our experience in relation to ourselves and others. I incorporate this perspective in my work with clients and help to emphasize the power of choice, explore unmet needs and help to explore important areas for boundary setting.

Therapy is about becoming unstuck, connecting with a deeper sense of what's important to you, what really matters, what you really want deeply for yourself in your life. Letting go of stale, habitual, suffocating stories which restrict you. And opening to new, gentler, friendlier narratives of possibility. guiding purposeful action in support of what you passionately value and really want for yourself. ....NOTE I ask you to please email me first either to go ahead and set up an appointment with me or, if you prefer, to arrange a 10-15 min phone conversation

Are there issues you have difficulty talking about with your friends and family? Are you needing a safe space to talk and explore things? Are there things in your life that you'd like to change but aren't sure where to start? Are you wanting more self-awareness and freedom from things that you feel are holding you back? This is possible! Your perspective can change and you can find greater clarity in life.

We often believe that we are alone in our suffering, that no one has experienced or could understand what we are going through, or conversely, that the suffering of others is much greater than our own, that ours does not deserve attention. Fear of judgment and vulnerability can keep us from reaching out when we need it most. That is why I believe there is power in creating space to explore obstacles that hinder us from thriving. Whether you are making sense of your past, navigating issues in the present, or planning for your future, it would be my privilege to walk alongside you on your journey of healing.

Life has its challenging moments, and sometimes those challenging moments are more intense than usual or last longer than we’d like. Over time, this may impact your mood, your energy, your relationships, your decisions, your behaviour and your health. Perhaps you’ve noticed yourself having more conflicts in your relationships, longing for a deeper connection and more intimacy with your partner, struggling to find meaning in what you do, or generally, losing a sense of self. If any of this resonates with you and you’ve been feeling overwhelmed and disconnected, I’m here to help. You don’t have to go through it alone.

Challenges and obstacles are a part of life, but no one will experience a challenge in the same way as another. My goal is to help individuals and couples understand what is happening for them to help them achieve their goals and thrive. Relationships are a key focus in my practice.

I use an integrative approach that is tailored to the mental health needs of each client. I draw from various evidence-based approaches such as psychodynamic therapy, emotionally-focused therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, attachment-oriented treatment approaches, and EMDR.

I am here to help. I embrace the "4C's" of my profession, an acronym that stands for caring, compassionate, competent, and well connected. You deserve the best, and that is all I offer. My ideal client is someone serious about improving, growing, and overcoming (or least better managing) whatever it is you need help with now. Please note that I live in Calgary and I offer live in-person sessions here, but I do see clients across Ontario via high-quality video software. BOOK APPOINTMENT: Click icon called "Website" on left side. My 83-second promotional video is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vOKqotpeaM