Taking the first step is often the hardest step. In our work together, I will guide you through a healing process that is realistic and motivating. I take a holistic approach to treatment and draw from a variety of approaches in my clinical practice, including mindfulness-based techniques, cognitive behavioural therapy, brief solution-focused therapy, emotion-focused therapy and motivational interviewing techniques. My professional and academic career has afforded me opportunities to help a diverse range of people in both the private and community sector for the last 10 years.

Healing involves an ongoing process of re-connecting with ourselves through each other, and each other through ourselves. We are inter-dependently connected, and yet there is dis-connection. Interpersonal harm, systemic barriers and institutional violence impact each and every one of us. By working together collaboratively, we can identify the barriers limiting your potential, create tools unique to your situation, deepen your capacity to learn how to learn and communicate about communication, as well as re-discover the power of emotions, and gain clarity of purpose.

I work with adults from many backgrounds who may be experiencing stress, anxiety, fear, relationship instability or conflict, grief, loss, abandonment, or disappointment. My clients are looking to be heard. My training is in Gestalt psychotherapy. This approach invites us to explore our patterns and beliefs, and how we relate to ourselves and our environment. I do not ‘fix’ problems – rather, I will stay with you in your process, and explore the feelings that come up, whether they be fear, anger, disgust, sadness, joy, or any combination of these. The past and the future will come up during the sessions.

I work with adults, adolescents and families who struggle with relationships, mental health concerns, and histories of trauma. I draw mainly from relational-cultural therapy in my practice. This means that I work with my clients to identify how relationships, past and present, may be contributing to emotional distress. I believe that mutually satisfying relationships are essential to our well-being. I have a decade of experience in mental health, social services and community organizing. These experiences have taught me to think about individuals within their social context.

The decision to seek therapy may arise for a number of reasons, including difficulties associated with depression or anxiety, feeling "stuck" in life, grieving, relationships, trauma, or addictions. You might also be in search of meaning in your life, or you want to explore making career or other life changes. Whatever your desire to seek support, therapy provides a safe and confidential space where you can make sense of what is not working for you, heighten awareness of yourself and your difficulties, and with support begin to accept yourself or make changes that are more reflective or who you are and what you want.

We are going through a ‘species moment’ as we adapt to a post-pandemic world. Although the suffering and changes are real, I believe we have been given a golden opportunity to pause and reorient our lives towards deeper meaning and purpose. Bridging Western Psychology and Eastern Spirituality, I help adults navigate journeys of self-discovery, healing and transformation.

We all face difficult times in our lives. I believe, however, that we have the strength to meet these challenges head on, overcome our blocks, and ultimately benefit from these opportunities for growth. Of course, we may not always be able to see our way through these times on our own. A collaborative therapeutic relationship established in a safe and supportive environment can allow us to unlock the strength and resiliency we all carry within us.

You are my ideal client if you've tried therapy before and have found that just talking things through has not been enough to sustain a balance and satisfaction in your life. Now you are open to learning about your nervous system, and ways in which your body naturally heals itself of anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, etc.

Are you struggling to cope with life and relationships? Is work stress causing you to feel angry, lost, anxious and disinterested? Are you struggling with coming out or integrating your sexual identity? Perhaps your having that feeling that you just don’t know yourself anymore. These are some of the themes I have heard from clients. You don’t need to be alone with these feelings. Finding your voice and rediscovering joy in your life is possible.

Many people come to see me when they want to feel better about where they are at in life and need a some support. Clients may also come with a specific issue or concern, from past or present. My clients tend to be ready for change, ready to explore new possibilities and want someone to help them get "unstuck" from old patterns, beliefs, and ideas that aren't working anymore. I see clients for general psychotherapy issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life stress, and a desire for personal growth. I am also providing therapy specific to the challenging times of COVID-19: issues of isolation, fear, health, etc.

Sometimes we have a profound sense that the way we have been moving through our lives doesn't fit anymore. This realization can be coupled with anxiety, depression, aggression, sleeplessness, repetitive actions or thoughts, and feelings of isolation or fragmentation. It is hard to find yourself in this place, and even harder to know where to turn. Realizing something isn't quite right is the first step----talking to someone is the next. I offer a 'no fee' 1 hour Introductory Session so that you can see if I am the right therapist for you. I work with Individuals and Couples age 18 and up.

Do you wish things were different? I work with diverse clients facing life's transitions and challenges. My theoretical framework is relational, using both talk therapy and/or creative/expressive arts modalities. Following your lead, I listen/witness and attune carefully in order to attend to your specific need. We start with where you are most comfortable, which means that talking, imagery, dreamwork and silence are all welcome. Although I work flexibly between short term talk therapy (psychodynamic psychotherapy) and expressive/creative arts, we safely build our relationship, while co-creating in our therapeutic studio space.

Many of us have experienced life events that leave us feeling stuck. Therapy explores underlying emotions and beliefs, relational patterns, as well as promote coping skills to facilitate change, acceptance and freedom. I work collaboratively with you in a compassionate, understanding and safe environment to help you embrace aspects of yourself in a way that allows you to live freely. I work in a dynamic and innovative way to help you achieve your goals with a variety of approaches tailored to your individual and couple needs.

35 years experience has taught me much about successful therapy. Being understood, whether as an individual or within a couple is critical; my job is to listen well while bringing you my knowledge about how people work and how change happens. You bring knowledge of your life and together we have a conversation about what might allow change to happen. Sometimes, old stories get in the way and revisiting them is necessary to remove obstacles to change. This can only happen when people feel safe. Creating that nurturing environment is also part of my job. While therapy can be difficult, it is also an exciting and rewarding process.

I work with individuals to help them integrate experiences brought on by Trauma, activities or behaviours they have engaged in or have witnessed that in some way change their perception of reality for better or worse.

I have a formidable passion for helping my clients energize a joyful, loving and creative life. Let me help reduce your suffering, and overcome obstacles to your happiness. I want to help you achieve your goals and experience more creative flow, loving-kindness and joy in your life . My other goal is to protect your confidentiality and make you feel protected and safe during sessions. - - - How do I go about achieving this? Initially I do my best to make you feel comfortable. I listen with curiosity and empathy to build a therapeutic relationship based on kindness, compassion and unconditional regard. Research amply shows that this is the most helpful element of "talk therapy" no matter what modality the therapist uses. Once in session, I find that people feel at ease with me because I am naturally engaged, authentic and direct. I practice Martin Buber’s and Humanist psychology's philosophy of being fully present in a relationship framed by mutual respect. My approach is the opposite to that of those movie therapists where the therapist is silent and writes on a pad, aloof and distant.

Many of my clients come to therapy because they feel discouraged that the people around them appear to not understand the personal challenges they're facing in their lives. In attempting to talk about simple daily struggles, friends, family and co-workers often give advice or put a positive spin on what's hard. This can leave us feeling inadequate that we seem to be baffled by things that others appear to have figured out. As humans we need understanding and acceptance in order that we can continue to grow: and this is support you can find in good therapy.

Given that the quality of our relationships greatly determines our quality of life, I am passionate about helping people to communicate and connect. I am Lisa M Kelly, a Registered Psychotherapist in downtown Toronto, offering individual and couple therapy for relationship issues, relationships, relationship break-ups, communication, life transitions, anxiety, self-esteem and loneliness. Serving downtown Toronto, Rosedale, Cabbagetown, the LGBT Village, the Distillery, Riverdale, the St. Lawrence Market, Yorkville.

I am an empathetic and open-minded therapist dedicated to helping others live happy and healthier lives. I am a Registered Psychotherapist and hold a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology from McGill University. I have a passion for helping others pursue their life paths in meaningful ways. I have experience working with diverse clientele experiencing a number of personal, academic, and career concerns. My areas of practice include: depression, anxiety, stress management, communication skills, family and relational concerns, attachment issues, low self-esteem, trauma, disability and illness-related concerns, career issues, goal setting, and life transitions.