Therapists in Kitchener, ON

Anxiety has you exhausted as you are reminded each moment of everyday about how strongly your life has changed. Being consumed by anxiety, leaves you feeling overwhelmed with life. Fearful and on edge for when the next change will arrive in your life requiring you to adjust again. The stress feels fierce as it has impacted your daily life. It leads you to ruminate about what has happened, as you wish it was different. You're left feeling "stuck". Trapped in your thoughts, and feeling unsure how to overhaul your life. Just desiring a sense of peace in your mind is a starting point for you to seek change through therapy.

"I just can't get over it!" Those words can mean you're struggling with trauma. The trauma might be from abuse, neglect, or having your life endangered. You might have tried other therapy, and it hasn't worked the way you had hoped. It's possible to change the way your past affects you.

My style and approach to therapy are influenced by a holistic understanding that we are a composite of our histories and experiences, the intersections of our identities, and socio-cultural understandings and systems. I am also a firm believer that therapy is a collaborative process of growth and discovery between the client and therapist, and while you are the true catalyst for change, it is an honour to be by your side throughout the journey.

Robert grew up in an alcoholic home, and then became a substance abuser himself. In 1988 he embarked on a road to recovery. Since becoming clean and sober, Robert returned to school and with his education and experience, he began working in the addiction profession in 1990. He has experience with in-patient, outpatient, individual & group counselling, as well as lecturing and facilitating workshops. Using his educational background accompanied with his addiction experience, he is helping others on their own road to recovery. He is now an International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor and is a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor.

Being anxious, sad, overwhelmed or having no hope can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. Seeking help might not be easy; and opening up and revealing yourself in therapy can be intimidating. This is why most people who suffer mentally and emotionally, do not seek help, often being forced to cope in unhealthy ways to seek temporary relief. But you are here because you are seeking help, congratulations for taking your first step towards healing!

I aim to create a safe and comfortable space that supports my client’s growth and leads to positive change and overall wellness. My priority is to treat each person with kindness and respect and allow them the space to share openly and be their authentic selves. I am known for my warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental approach and integrative therapy style that is collaborative and person-centered. I incorporate various modalities and interventions to meet my client’s needs, including Brainspotting, Narrative, Solution-Focused, CBT, Play-Based, Mindfulness-Based, and Trauma-Focused approaches.

The time for change is now! Life can sometimes throw curve balls. Whether it is a sudden event or change that leaves you struggling or an ongoing situation that has become an obstacle to achieving a goal in your life, I am confident that together we can improve and find solutions to your concerns. Relationship difficulties, mental health challenges, substance use issues, and grief are just a few of the areas I can help you with.

Our mind, body, and soul are so wise, always giving us the roadmap to health and balance if we pay attention. I believe that intrinsically we all desire for this alignment to occur, however, as humans we also experience suffering, trauma, loss, and fear that can create barriers to this innate process. I guide clients to compassionately and gently look within, helping them become more familiar with the various parts of themselves that may be causing imbalance.

Over the past 20 years, I have been working both in the UK and Canada in the area of family and children’s services. Currently, my focus is in individual counselling. In each of my roles, I have had the privilege of building trusting relationships and working collaboratively with both individuals and families. I truly believe that life is precious and my goal, while working from a strength-based and trauma-informed perspective, has been to increase family and individual functioning, despite the challenges that life brings.

From anxiety and depression to relationship challenges, and issues surrounding the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, together we will explore/prioritize your needs and find healthy ways of coping. We work with young mothers, women and youth who have experienced or are experiencing sexual violence or domestic violence. We are also passionate about working with individuals with disabilities, and enjoy supporting folks in building and maintaining healthy relationships. We empower self-exploration around race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality in order to become more comfortable and accepting in our own skin.

Working through complex personal issues is most effective by sharing your thoughts and feelings with an experienced, understanding therapist. The answers that you are seeking are usually within you, you've just needed to express your "self" to get there. I work from a strength-based perspective and have been providing individual, couple, teen focused counselling in various clinical settings for over 34 years. My specialties include: anxiety and stress management, trauma, improving communication, interpersonal conflict, men's issues and assisting individuals in developing personal strategies to create a new life balance.

I want to invite you into a therapeutic space where everything is speakable. Nothing is too shameful, too shocking, too terrible or too broken to be witnessed.

NOW ACCEPTING CLIENTS At Vitality Counselling Services I believe healing is possible, and that negative life experiences do not have to go on controlling the future. I offer client-centred counselling services to individuals (adult, children and youth), couples and families. Whether it is negotiating difficult life situations, dealing with anxiety (worry/fear), depression, anger, trauma, stress, relationships, parenting challenges, emotional management, low self-esteem or other life related issues, I will adapt my approach to meet your personal goals.

Practical, collaborative, brief therapy to help you create the life you want.

I believe that each person has their own set of strengths and should be treated as a whole person - not a problem to solve. I see therapy as a collaboration where you and I can work towards the version of yourself you want to be. Sometimes this process can feel overwhelming and daunting so I strive to offer a welcoming and non-judgemental environment where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and values - and grow as a person. I have more than five years experience supporting people with substance use and mental health concerns. Sometimes we can feel trapped by our past, but there is always a way to move forward.