Psychodynamic Therapists in Montréal, QC
Nancy Poirier has been dedicated to personal growth for herself and others for the past 25 years. As a Psychotherapist who values excellence, expertise and exceptional service, she has developed a high level of presence and skills which guide her clients to evolve beyond limiting beliefs and dysfunctional patterns. Within Canada and the US, Nancy has helped clients transform issues in relationships; anxiety; depression; addictions; gambling; OCD; eating disorders; PTSD from traumatic incidents such as accidents; war; domestic violence; sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
Nancy Poirier has been dedicated to personal growth for herself and others for the past 25 years. As a Psychotherapist who values excellence, expertise and exceptional service, she has developed a high level of presence and skills which guide her clients to evolve beyond limiting beliefs and dysfunctional patterns. Within Canada and the US, Nancy has helped clients transform issues in relationships; anxiety; depression; addictions; gambling; OCD; eating disorders; PTSD from traumatic incidents such as accidents; war; domestic violence; sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
If you struggle with never feeling good enough, perfectionism, or frequent burnout from people pleasing, you’re not alone. Maybe you grew up playing a role in your family that you’re trying to grow out of, but find yourself stuck, repeating old patterns as an adult. I’m here to help. Some things we may explore include: bottled up feelings or unmet needs, what motivates you to behave or think in certain ways, setting effective boundaries, and letting go of what no longer serves you. This work makes it possible for you to heal old wounds, end painful cycles, enjoy more satisfying relationships, and make way for your authentic self.
If you struggle with never feeling good enough, perfectionism, or frequent burnout from people pleasing, you’re not alone. Maybe you grew up playing a role in your family that you’re trying to grow out of, but find yourself stuck, repeating old patterns as an adult. I’m here to help. Some things we may explore include: bottled up feelings or unmet needs, what motivates you to behave or think in certain ways, setting effective boundaries, and letting go of what no longer serves you. This work makes it possible for you to heal old wounds, end painful cycles, enjoy more satisfying relationships, and make way for your authentic self.
Struggling with depression, anxiety, interpersonal challenges, or feeling caught between cultural expectations and your own identity?
I help individuals and couples find inner peace, healing, and resilience so they can feel more grounded and fulfilled.
My work draws on both the best elements of different schools of therapy and the wisdom of Eastern perspectives.
My collaborative approach affirms all aspects of identity — including gender, culture, race, and spirituality — while creating a safe and supportive space for LGBTQ+ voices.
Struggling with depression, anxiety, interpersonal challenges, or feeling caught between cultural expectations and your own identity?
I help individuals and couples find inner peace, healing, and resilience so they can feel more grounded and fulfilled.
My work draws on both the best elements of different schools of therapy and the wisdom of Eastern perspectives.
My collaborative approach affirms all aspects of identity — including gender, culture, race, and spirituality — while creating a safe and supportive space for LGBTQ+ voices.
I am a licensed clinical child psychologist specializing in therapy with children 3-13 years old. I have studied and trained at various academic institutions over the years in Canada, the United States and Europe. I possess clinical experience with children and families having worked on two hospital teams at the Montreal Children's Hospital Department of Psychiatry regarding treatment for ADHD children as well as the Royal Victoria Hospital's Day Treatment program for children with emotional and behavioural problems. Additionally, I have taught Psychology at CEGEP as well as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at McGill University.
I am a licensed clinical child psychologist specializing in therapy with children 3-13 years old. I have studied and trained at various academic institutions over the years in Canada, the United States and Europe. I possess clinical experience with children and families having worked on two hospital teams at the Montreal Children's Hospital Department of Psychiatry regarding treatment for ADHD children as well as the Royal Victoria Hospital's Day Treatment program for children with emotional and behavioural problems. Additionally, I have taught Psychology at CEGEP as well as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at McGill University.
Are you, or a loved one, suffering from disordered eating? Is your relationship with food and body image getting in the way of the life that you want? Are you feeling powerless, dicouraged or scared at the idea of breaking the vicious cycle that has been at the center of your life for too long? Are you feeling ambivalent about change, and would like a safe place to share your thoughts and emotions with an experienced therapist? You are not alone. Despite the challenging journey, full recovery is possible. Seeking professional help towards recovery and wellnes is well worth it.
Are you, or a loved one, suffering from disordered eating? Is your relationship with food and body image getting in the way of the life that you want? Are you feeling powerless, dicouraged or scared at the idea of breaking the vicious cycle that has been at the center of your life for too long? Are you feeling ambivalent about change, and would like a safe place to share your thoughts and emotions with an experienced therapist? You are not alone. Despite the challenging journey, full recovery is possible. Seeking professional help towards recovery and wellnes is well worth it.
Reaching out for help can be hard. It is understandable to want support when dealing with difficult experiences. Deepening our understanding of ourselves and what we have been through can help identify inner wounds and create opportunities for healing, growth and connection with self and others.
Reaching out for help can be hard. It is understandable to want support when dealing with difficult experiences. Deepening our understanding of ourselves and what we have been through can help identify inner wounds and create opportunities for healing, growth and connection with self and others.
My team of qualified professionals understands that finding the right support is about more than just a diagnosis—it’s about finding a path forward. Whether you are an adult navigating a major life transition or a parent trying to understand why your child is struggling, we are here to help you find the answers. We provide Compassionate Therapy and Comprehensive Assessments in English and French, designed to help clients of all ages stop guessing and start moving forward with confidence.
My team of qualified professionals understands that finding the right support is about more than just a diagnosis—it’s about finding a path forward. Whether you are an adult navigating a major life transition or a parent trying to understand why your child is struggling, we are here to help you find the answers. We provide Compassionate Therapy and Comprehensive Assessments in English and French, designed to help clients of all ages stop guessing and start moving forward with confidence.
Would you like to feel motivated by life? Cultivate genuine, loving relationships? Feel good about yourself, regardless of what life throws your way? Well you’re certainly not alone! Connection, self-esteem, and self-actualization have all been identified as human needs—essential to our mental health and well-being. Unfortunately, certain emotional, behavioural, or relational patterns can act as barriers to these needs, quelling our personal growth, and leaving us confined to oppressive cycles of anxiety and distress. Relate to any or all of the above? I think we all can—and perhaps I can help.
Would you like to feel motivated by life? Cultivate genuine, loving relationships? Feel good about yourself, regardless of what life throws your way? Well you’re certainly not alone! Connection, self-esteem, and self-actualization have all been identified as human needs—essential to our mental health and well-being. Unfortunately, certain emotional, behavioural, or relational patterns can act as barriers to these needs, quelling our personal growth, and leaving us confined to oppressive cycles of anxiety and distress. Relate to any or all of the above? I think we all can—and perhaps I can help.
Are your child’s big emotions or behaviours starting to feel overwhelming at home? Is your child struggling with anxiety, ADHD, or low mood, or adjusting to a major life change such as a move, separation, or loss? You do not have to navigate this alone.
Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) provides your child with a safe space to express feelings, build emotional regulation, and develop self-efficacy through play, their natural way of communicating and making sense of the world.
Are your child’s big emotions or behaviours starting to feel overwhelming at home? Is your child struggling with anxiety, ADHD, or low mood, or adjusting to a major life change such as a move, separation, or loss? You do not have to navigate this alone.
Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) provides your child with a safe space to express feelings, build emotional regulation, and develop self-efficacy through play, their natural way of communicating and making sense of the world.
I work mainly with clients who have experienced complex trauma, often rooted in early relationships with attachment figures. These experiences can shape coping patterns that once helped you survive but may make present-day life more challenging. I specialize in dissociation, the experience of feeling disconnected from yourself, your emotions, or the world around you. I also work with clients who identify as neurodivergent (people with different kinds of brains or minds) and/or 2SLGBTQ+, bringing both professional expertise and lived understanding to this work.
I work mainly with clients who have experienced complex trauma, often rooted in early relationships with attachment figures. These experiences can shape coping patterns that once helped you survive but may make present-day life more challenging. I specialize in dissociation, the experience of feeling disconnected from yourself, your emotions, or the world around you. I also work with clients who identify as neurodivergent (people with different kinds of brains or minds) and/or 2SLGBTQ+, bringing both professional expertise and lived understanding to this work.
At times, we need help understanding emotions and behaviors that affect our capacity to maintain healthy relationships. I value providing couples and individuals with a space where they feel safe exploring all parts of themselves, the good and the bad. I help clients break negative cycles, improve communication, and build intimacy. Specializing in trauma, anxiety, and attachment, I assist in strengthening emotional bonds, personal resilience, and accountable behavior. For couples, I focus on nurturing a loving, respectful bond by helping them develop emotional regulation and conflict resolution skills.
At times, we need help understanding emotions and behaviors that affect our capacity to maintain healthy relationships. I value providing couples and individuals with a space where they feel safe exploring all parts of themselves, the good and the bad. I help clients break negative cycles, improve communication, and build intimacy. Specializing in trauma, anxiety, and attachment, I assist in strengthening emotional bonds, personal resilience, and accountable behavior. For couples, I focus on nurturing a loving, respectful bond by helping them develop emotional regulation and conflict resolution skills.
I work with individuals and relationships (eg. couples, families, poly relationships, friends) who are struggling.
I aim to take an anti-oppressive lens and create an affirmative space for clients of all identities and backgrounds.
I work with individuals and relationships (eg. couples, families, poly relationships, friends) who are struggling.
I aim to take an anti-oppressive lens and create an affirmative space for clients of all identities and backgrounds.
You may be navigating something new, or something that’s been with you for a long time. Either way, this can be a space to explore it. I offer a warm, non-judgmental space where your experiences, identities, and ways of understanding the world are welcomed and respected. Together, we’ll explore what feels most important to you, at your pace. I draw on your creative strengths and lived experiences to support reflection, emotional processing, and meaningful change.
You may be navigating something new, or something that’s been with you for a long time. Either way, this can be a space to explore it. I offer a warm, non-judgmental space where your experiences, identities, and ways of understanding the world are welcomed and respected. Together, we’ll explore what feels most important to you, at your pace. I draw on your creative strengths and lived experiences to support reflection, emotional processing, and meaningful change.
My approach blends psychodynamic depth with mindfulness, somatic experiencing, IFS, all grounded in neuroscience and an understanding of non-ordinary states.
My work is dedicated to supporting individuals who are actively engaged in their own healing and growth—those who have already explored their inner landscape and are seeking deeper integration, insight, and transformation. With almost 20 years of experience as a psychologist—and a background as a midwife serving Inuit communities in Nunavik—I bring a deep respect for the body’s wisdom and the power of human resilience.
My approach blends psychodynamic depth with mindfulness, somatic experiencing, IFS, all grounded in neuroscience and an understanding of non-ordinary states.
My work is dedicated to supporting individuals who are actively engaged in their own healing and growth—those who have already explored their inner landscape and are seeking deeper integration, insight, and transformation. With almost 20 years of experience as a psychologist—and a background as a midwife serving Inuit communities in Nunavik—I bring a deep respect for the body’s wisdom and the power of human resilience.
Therapy can help people better understand themselves and find greater meaning in their lives. People enter therapy for a wide range of reasons, often involving difficulty solving a problem in their lives on their own. Some people, for example, are having difficulty in a romantic relationship and wonder how to improve the relationship, or end it. Other people experience conflict or anxiety in a wide range of interpersonal relationships and enter therapy as a means of improving their communication skills and the quality of their relationships. I help people in both monogamous and polyamorous relationships.
Therapy can help people better understand themselves and find greater meaning in their lives. People enter therapy for a wide range of reasons, often involving difficulty solving a problem in their lives on their own. Some people, for example, are having difficulty in a romantic relationship and wonder how to improve the relationship, or end it. Other people experience conflict or anxiety in a wide range of interpersonal relationships and enter therapy as a means of improving their communication skills and the quality of their relationships. I help people in both monogamous and polyamorous relationships.
My approach is primarily psychodynamic, while also integrating behavioral and cognitive techniques to support meaningful change in habits that no longer serve you today.
I focus on supporting individuals who struggle with feelings of low self-worth and esteem, particularly in the context of relationships, work, or academic life. My therapeutic lens explores the roots of these challenges in family dynamics.
Through interaction with art materials—whether simple or more complex, depending on your comfort and interest—we can access unconscious patterns and past events that continue to shape the present. Using your hands and creating images can help manage anxious states, address painful feelings of inadequacy, and move through stagnation.
My approach is primarily psychodynamic, while also integrating behavioral and cognitive techniques to support meaningful change in habits that no longer serve you today.
I focus on supporting individuals who struggle with feelings of low self-worth and esteem, particularly in the context of relationships, work, or academic life. My therapeutic lens explores the roots of these challenges in family dynamics.
Through interaction with art materials—whether simple or more complex, depending on your comfort and interest—we can access unconscious patterns and past events that continue to shape the present. Using your hands and creating images can help manage anxious states, address painful feelings of inadequacy, and move through stagnation.
Whether you are dealing with past trauma or current triggers that keep you from moving forward, there are always ways to process what has happened and how we can work together towards a more fulfilling future. As an art therapist with a trauma-informed lens, I incorporate counselling, somatic awareness, movement, and play into my work, to enhance resiliency and promote healing. Issues I have worked on include intimate partner violence, self-harm, sexual abuse, and refugee, immigration and acculturation issues, as well as intergenerational trauma.
Whether you are dealing with past trauma or current triggers that keep you from moving forward, there are always ways to process what has happened and how we can work together towards a more fulfilling future. As an art therapist with a trauma-informed lens, I incorporate counselling, somatic awareness, movement, and play into my work, to enhance resiliency and promote healing. Issues I have worked on include intimate partner violence, self-harm, sexual abuse, and refugee, immigration and acculturation issues, as well as intergenerational trauma.
I integrate Psychodynamic Therapy, CBT, ACT, and Person-Centered Therapy to help you understand what’s beneath your struggles, develop healthier coping strategies, and reconnect with the version of yourself that feels more confident, calm, and grounded.
Life can feel heavy, confusing, or overwhelming, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. If you’re struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, relationship stress, or family conflict, it can feel like you’re carrying more than you can hold. You might know you want things to change but feel unsure where to start, and that’s completely okay. Many of my clients come to me feeling exhausted, disconnected, or unsure how to manage their emotions or communicate what they need. Together, we take things one step at a time, creating space for you to breathe, feel supported, and slowly make life feel lighter and more manageable.
I integrate Psychodynamic Therapy, CBT, ACT, and Person-Centered Therapy to help you understand what’s beneath your struggles, develop healthier coping strategies, and reconnect with the version of yourself that feels more confident, calm, and grounded.
Life can feel heavy, confusing, or overwhelming, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. If you’re struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, relationship stress, or family conflict, it can feel like you’re carrying more than you can hold. You might know you want things to change but feel unsure where to start, and that’s completely okay. Many of my clients come to me feeling exhausted, disconnected, or unsure how to manage their emotions or communicate what they need. Together, we take things one step at a time, creating space for you to breathe, feel supported, and slowly make life feel lighter and more manageable.
As a psychodynamic, attachment-focused, and trauma-informed art therapist, I offer you a non-judgemental and safe space to explore such emotions.
Some of my areas of focus include anxiety, eco-anxiety, depression, loss, addictions, navigating consensual non-monogamy, relationship challenges, overcoming creative blocks, and trauma.
I also specialize in working and supporting members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community navigate everyday challenges, minority stress and systemic barriers.
As a psychodynamic, attachment-focused, and trauma-informed art therapist, I offer you a non-judgemental and safe space to explore such emotions.
Some of my areas of focus include anxiety, eco-anxiety, depression, loss, addictions, navigating consensual non-monogamy, relationship challenges, overcoming creative blocks, and trauma.
I also specialize in working and supporting members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community navigate everyday challenges, minority stress and systemic barriers.
I use a blend of approaches, including psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and solution-focused tools.
Therapy isn’t about being handed a list of coping strategies and then sent on your way—it’s about exploring what’s beneath your feelings, challenging the beliefs that no longer serve you and facing uncomfortable truths. We’ll unpack the tough stuff—unresolved pain from past experiences, habits that leave you feeling stuck, and behaviours that hinder your progress—and uncover what’s standing between you and your goals.
I use a blend of approaches, including psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and solution-focused tools.
Therapy isn’t about being handed a list of coping strategies and then sent on your way—it’s about exploring what’s beneath your feelings, challenging the beliefs that no longer serve you and facing uncomfortable truths. We’ll unpack the tough stuff—unresolved pain from past experiences, habits that leave you feeling stuck, and behaviours that hinder your progress—and uncover what’s standing between you and your goals.
See more therapy options for Montréal
Nearby Psychodynamic Counsellors Searches for Montréal
- Brossard
- Côte Saint-Luc
- Hampstead
- Lasalle
- Laval
- Longueuil
- Mont-Royal
- Montréal-Ouest
- Outremont
- Saint-Laurent
- Verdun
- Westmount
Psychodynamic Counsellors
Is psychodynamic therapy evidence-based?
Studies have found psychodynamic therapy to be effective in treating conditions like social anxiety, eating disorders, chronic pain, some personality disorders, and depression; indeed, some studies have found it to be just as effective as CBT or medication. What’s more, several studies have found that the benefits of psychodynamic therapy tend to endure—even grow—long after treatment has ended.
How long does psychodynamic therapy last?
Unlike CBT and other more structured forms of therapy, psychodynamic therapy tends to be open-ended and may not be limited to a set number of sessions. It is common for clients to be in therapy for a year or longer and to see their therapist one to three times a week, though the exact schedule and timeline may vary depending on a client’s challenges and progress. However, brief psychodynamic therapy is available, which tends to be more goal-oriented and typically unfolds over 16 to 30 sessions.
Does psychodynamic therapy work?
Research finds that psychodynamic therapy can help someone manage or reduce symptoms of diagnosable mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. The modality may also offer a range of benefits that are harder to measure but just as valuable—such as increased self-worth or healthier relationships. While no therapy type will work for everyone, research and anecdotal evidence suggest that psychodynamic therapy can be highly effective.
What are the limitations of psychodynamic therapy?
Some meta-analyses have concluded that there is little evidence to suggest that psychodynamic therapy can effectively treat certain mental health conditions such as PTSD, OCD, or psychosis, though it is sometimes used to do so. More broadly, the open-ended, free-association structure of psychodynamic therapy may be frustrating for clients who prefer a more structured, time-limited, or goal-oriented approach.