My approach to therapy is called Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This is a philosophy of psychotherapy which helps patients understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviour. It is commonly used to treat a wide range of disorders including phobias, addictions, anxiety, and depression.
I use a variety of techniques in therapy, trying to find what will work best for you. These techniques are likely to include dialogue, interpretation, cognitive reframing, awareness exercises, self-monitoring experiments, visualization, journal keeping, drawing and reading stories with young clients. If I propose a specific technique that may have special risks attached, I will inform you of that, and discuss with you the risks and benefits of what I am suggesting. I may suggest that you consult with a physical health care provider regarding somatic treatments that could help your problems; I will be glad to discuss with you the pros and cons of various alternatives.
Therapy also has potential emotional risks. Approaching feelings or thoughts that you have tried not to think about for a long time may be painful. Making changes in your beliefs or behaviors can be scary, and sometimes disruptive to the relationships you already have. You may find your relationship with me to be a source of strong feelings, some of them painful at times. It is important that you consider carefully whether these risks are worth the benefits to you of changing. Most people who take these risks find that therapy is helpful.
You normally will be the one who decides therapy will end, with three exceptions. If we have contracted for a specific short-term piece of work, we will finish therapy at the end of that contract. If I am not in my judgment able to help you, because of the kind of problem you have or because my training and skills are in my judgment not appropriate, I will inform you of this fact and refer you to another therapist who may meet your needs.
Common areas that Psychotherapy and Counselling can help if you are experiencing one or more of the followings:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Obsessive-Compulsive behaviours and thoughts
- Panic symptoms
- Difficulty to manage your time and organize
- Low Self-esteem
- Lack of Self-confidence
- Controlling your anger and temper
- Difficulty with sleep
- Talking in front of a group
- Asserting yourself
- Chronic pain
- Fears and phobias
- Fear of getting sick
- Chronic illness such as cancer
- Post-traumatic stress (PTSD) after a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA)
- Rejection after separation and divorce
- Difficult people (such as your parents, in-laws, boss, friends)
Psychotherapy and Counselling can help if your child or adolescent is struggling with:
- Oppositional defiant behaviour
- Behavior problems such as lying, stealing, swearing
- Bedwetting (enuresis) and Soiling (encopresis)
- School problems (academic underachievement, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder)
- Bullying and Peer pressure
- Discipline problems (listening to authority, following rules)
- Mood swings, feeling blue or depressed
- Anxiety (separating from parents, going to school, talking to strangers outside family, making friends, difficulty to sleep alone)
- Low Self-confidence, shyness
- Anger (excessive yelling, swearing, crying)
- Aggressive and violent behavior to self, others and objects,
- Lack of Respect to authority
- Power struggle with parents
- Sleep problems
- Eating problems (overeating, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, purging)
- Sibling conflicts, issues with step-siblings
- Coping with parent’s divorce and separation
- Coping with a parent’s chronic illness
- Coping with a move or a loss
- Coping with death of a loved one and/or a pet
- Witnessing parental fight or domestic violence
- Step-parenting issues
- Multiple home issues
- Blending family issues
- Dealing with pain and medical procedures
- Fear of going to the doctor or dentist
- Fear of needles, injection, swallowing pills