SERVICES
My clinical practice is currently focused on individual therapy with a holistic, trauma-informed lens. Treatment is based on the most current, evidenced-based practices. Below are some of the treatment modalities which inform my therapeutic approach.
I treat many first responders and military professionals, active & retired. They show up for us on our worst day. We need to show up for them on theirs.
***(Direct billing to Medavie/Bluecross for VAC clients available)***
OTTAWA POLICE
OPS
RCMP
CAF/VAC
01.
IFS or Internal Family Systems Therapy, is a comprehensive psychotherapeutic approach rooted in family systems therapy and attachment theory. Developed by Dick Schwartz, it has been referred to as "attachment theory turned inside". We are relational beings, deeply affected by our environment and key relationships. While we cannot control our outer world, by working to heal our inner self, we become more resilient and better able to cope with whatever it is we are facing. Stressors are diminished and our ability to face life's challenges is bolstered with confidence, clarity and compassion. IFS is highly effective in treating past trauma as well as maladaptive/avoidant coping responses such as addictions or self harm. In clinical trial, IFS has been shown to have a positive effect on conditions such as arthritis. More research is being done on IFS's impact on not only mental health but also on other physical conditions and immune function. IFS is emerging as a powerful treatment for overall physical and mental health. It is also the therapeutic modality of choice to facilitate Psychedelic assisted Psychotherapy to improve it's overall efficacy and safety.
02.
CBT or cognitive behavioural therapy is an evidenced based treatment for anxiety and depression. It has an extremely high effectiveness rate and the results are lasting. The approach utilized at Cp Psychotherapy is informed by the work of Dr Aureen Wagner, one of Canada's leading experts in the treatment of anxiety and OCD. Anxiety can be debilitating if not treated and can also lead to other concurrent disorders. Through therapy you will be equipped with the tools to manage anxiety and to take control back over your life. In the last 10 years, the proportion of Canadians living with an anxiety disorder more than doubled. Left untreated, an anxiety disorder or depressive episode, most often worsens and puts an individual at risk for other negative health outcomes and maladaptive coping. While it can be debilitating, with treatment individuals can go from surviving to thriving.
03.
EMDR or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is used in the treatment of a variety of conditions. Developed by Francine Shapiro, the goal of EMDR, is to desensitize the individual to traumatic memories and process these events so they no longer cause distress. The marker of an unprocessed memory is that happened then, but still feels like it's happening today. This is achieved by using eye movement and other related forms of bilateral stimulation. EMDR is effective in treating a variety of conditions such as trauma, PTSD and single events whether recent or historical in origin. Where CBT may not work for everyone, often it's case that there is underlying trauma that responds extremely well to EMDR.
04.
Mindfulness based meditation or "mindfulness" is where East meets the West. Rooted in Eastern philosophy and buddhism, mindfulness also incorporates elements of Western traditions such as CBT. While many modalities claim to be meditation or mindfulness, the approach I utilize is based upon the the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn, one of the world's leading experts in this field and the person credited with bringing mindfulness to the West. His mindfulness-based stress reduction program and clinics are utilized all over the world in hospitals and treatment centres to treat chronic stress and illness. The connection between stress, illness less and disease is well established empirically. The need therefore to have treatment approaches that proactively help us to manage stress and buffer us from it's damaging effects is imperative. Mindfulness has a plethora of evidenced based benefits from stress reduction to improved cognition and immune function. Mindfulness has the capacity to make us more stress resilient. On average the brains of regular meditators on scans appear approximately 7 years younger. In our often stressed-filled and fast paced lives, the benefits of incorporating a mindfulness practice can be profound and life altering on both physical and mental health.