Family Therapy in Halifax, NS

How are ya? I know that things are rough for a lot of us right now. We're overwhelmed with responsibilities, a constantly shifting social landscape, a pandemic, work, family , and the list goes on and on. Sometimes we just need to chat, other times we need some more structured support and treatment.

NOW Accepting NEW Clients - NO Wait List! Healing Path Therapy is a growing team of collaborative mental health practitioners who are dedicated to providing accessible quality psychotherapy and counselling services to individuals, couples, and families. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and affirming environment for our staff, associates, and our clients. Whether you're looking for help with recovering and finding relief from past events, trauma, anxiety, stress, burnout, eating disorders, depression, parenting, or life transitions, our compassionate therapists are here to assist you on your path to healing.

Life can be messy sometimes. Let Deirdre help you manage your head. Explore and understand your personal patterns, feelings, beliefs and behaviours. Consistent or recurring negative thoughts, overwhelming feelings, impulsive behaviours, pain, fatigue, loss of short-term memory and self-harm are just a few symptoms that therapy can help with. Challenge influential memories and heal inter-generational trauma in a safe, confidential environment.

We are a team of highly skilled and experienced psychology and social work professionals providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families. Our areas of expertise include assisting children, adolescents, and adults with relationships, trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, mood, abuse-related issues, school difficulties, work difficulties, parenting, substance misuse, transitions, and grief and loss.

Psychologist Melissa Cook currently accepting new child and adolescent clients virtually and in person in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. We have over 30 years of combined experience helping clients overcome symptoms related to stress, anxiety, family or relationship conflict, grief and loss, emotional difficulties, and more. We work with adults, youth, children, families and couples to support you to reach your goals. Our specialties are EMDR, treatments for anxiety/stress, OCD, childhood mental illnesses, emotional difficulties due to acquired brain injury/concussion and relationship/marriage counselling.

Do you feel like your anxiety is getting in the way of living your life the way that you want to? Do you want to create meaningful connections with your family , friends, and romantic partners? I understand that sometimes we can feel stuck and unsure of how to achieve our hopes and goals and it can feel overwhelming not knowing where to start.

I strongly values collaborating with clients to support them in their growth, journey and healing process to achieve fulfillment, happiness, and harmony within yourself or with others. I can support you better cope with many stressors and decisions that can easily overwhelm your life. I am here for you to guide you on your journey to better understand yourself, your relationship with others, and environments around you. My practice stems primarily from a strength-based approach and I am passionate about helping clients achieve their life goals, while validating, supporting and challenging them in a compassionate manner. 

In the words of a wise 90's pop singer, "Everybody hurts, sometimes." But we can sometimes get overwhelmed when life throws difficulties our way. When suffering shows up (for example, depressed mood, anxiety, self-esteem or relationship problems), we can then develop unhelpful coping strategies, behaviours, or symptoms that further complicate our lives and drain us of joy, energy, and serenity. However, I believe we are all born with an innate ability to heal, grow, and thrive in the face of adversity, and my goal is to help my clients activate this ability.

I am interested in supporting adolescents and adults on their journey of healing, growth, and wellness. As a strong believer in the mind-body-spirit connection, I am passionate about using a holistic approach to support clients experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress, relationship challenges, grief, and low self-worth. My intention is to help individuals reclaim a deeper connection with themselves, to resolve problematic symptoms and dynamics, to increase the capacity to tolerate stress and difficult emotions, and to live with more presence and joy.

We help teenagers and adults who want to confident and happy but are feeling weighed down by anxiety, stress and depression. We also help couples who want healthy and supportive relationships but instead find themselves feeling misunderstood, unheard and unhappy.

I have worked extensively with a range of mental health issues (eg: anxiety, depression), substance abuse, recovery from trauma and grief/loss. I have worked extensively with children and teens as well. I have worked with many couples in relationship counselling, improving communication and healthy dynamics. I have a keen interest in and experience working with people in ethically non-monogamous relationships (polyamory). I am an Art Therapist as well and love to help people find a creative and visual language to express thoughts, feelings, gain self-insight and heal. I bring an interest and knowledge of the brain into sessions.

I work from the perspective that everyone has basic healthiness, a natural yearning for brilliant sanity and the wisdom of wholeness as part of their being. Conditioning and confusion can obscure these endowments but they are never absent. My job is to help draw out this wisdom for healing that is already there, by encouraging awareness. I begin with client-centered listening that honours where you are now, and the change you want. I then move into more experiential work to facilitate transformation. The contract for change and the pace of change is always in the client's hands

I am a trauma-informed mental health Occupational Therapist with Home Grown OT. I believe we need meaningful occupations, roles and activities to lead satisfying lives. We will work on practical skills in each session to aid with this and you will integrate new skills and beliefs into your daily life between sessions. We will manage unmet physiological needs like sleep, connection & safety. I also provide exposure and response prevention (ERP) for severe anxiety & OCD.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my profile. I am a licensed therapist and experienced mental health Nurse Practitioner. If you feel isolated and alone, or you are struggling with addiction or past trauma, I can help. Please reach out today. Together we will develop healthy coping strategies and work towards the quality of life you desire.

Times can be tough. We have all been "there"... struggling to make sense of the challenges life can throw at us. I believe we can get through anything, but having proper support and an opportunity to reflect on these life circumstances certainly helps. As your therapist, I hold space for you as you navigate this trying time and help you recognize your potential and share the belief you will get through it. I am passionate about helping people and supporting them as they evolve and develop through the ups and downs called "Life". Together, we can uncover your skills and build strength to stay motived and pursue your goals.