How I Practice Therapy

Approach to Therapy, Services Provided, Online Therapy Benefits

Therapeutic Approach

Therapists often use an 'eclectic' approach, that is, using a number of modalities to customized to the client's goals and treatment plan. Below are some examples of counselling theories that I use in therapy. Think of these as additional 'lenses' that I add to filter our conversations together. These theories draw from psychological theories that have been empirically proven to instil change.

Narrative Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Emotionally Focused Therapy

Finding unique outcomes by exploring strengths and breaking stories down into smaller parts

Working through changing how you think, so that you can change how you feel

Mapping relationship cycles, or 'dances', in order to identify vulnerabilities and how they show up in relationships

Family Systems & Genograms

Creating relationship maps of your family, friends, co-workers, pets, etc., in order to identify specific relationship dynamics

Specializing In...

Life Transitions

Losing a Loved One
Leaving Home
Getting Married
Having Children
Getting Divorced
New career
Losing a job
Retirement
Receiving a diagnosis

Life After Trauma

Traumatic Childhood Experiences
Domestic Violence
Sudden Accidents
Military Combat
Hospitalization
Losing a Loved One
Intergenerational Trauma
Complex Trauma

Relationships

Communication
Sex & Intimacy
Infidelity
Money
Trauma
Domestic Chores
Trust
Trauma & Safety
Change in Life Goals/Values

Anxiety & Coping

Feelings of Restlessness and Worry
Easily Fatigued, Difficulty Sleeping
Lack of Focus/Concentration
Aches & Pains
Irritable & Angry
Substance Use
Social Media Use
Stress Eating
Procrastination/Avoidance

Services

Sessions held virtually or by telephone. Please confirm insurance coverage with your provider prior to booking,

or email info@changescp.ca for more information.

Individual Therapy, 60 min.

Confidential treatment that focuses on further developing one’s insight, coping mechanisms and strategies to excel in a variety of life goals and challenges. Explore the impact of a certain behaviour on yourself, on others, or how other people’s challenges impact you. Identify challenging frames of thought and build on strengths to change these behaviours. Therapy can provide a sound-board for you to bounce ideas off of, a neutral perspective, or a space to clarify your thoughts and feelings through a difficult time in your life.

• Feeling stuck, feeling alone, searching for happiness
• Feeling overwhelmed, social anxiety, specific fears
• Trauma: sexual, childhood events, accidents, breakups
• Grieving: death of loved ones, end of relationships, loss of self (identity)
• Career: work-life balance, money, life goals
• Challenging behaviours: substances, eating, spending, technology

Videoconferencing via the Jane app or by phone. See below for tips to ensure your online therapy experience is as comfortable as possible.

Cost per session: $140 (HST included)

Individual Therapy, 90 min.

Extended sessions are a part of an introductory individual session, including complete assessment.

Also available by request from clients, or if the therapist deems it therapeutically beneficial.

Videoconferencing via the Jane app or by phone. See below for tips to ensure your online therapy experience is as comfortable as possible.

Cost per session : $180 (HST included)

Couple Therapy,

90 min.

Many couples come to therapy because they're dealing with a specific challenge, such as communication issues, difficulties around sex, affairs, or considering a breakup. Couples use talk therapy to get unstuck from painful patterns that are repeating.

• Looking to strengthen a relationship (destructive relationship patterns, challenging family dynamics, being a support for your partner, equal parenting, deal with past trauma, to find a balance of sex drives)

• Looking to start a relationship (deciding on a life commitment, evaluating goals for the future, common values)

• Looking to re-start a relationship (revealing a secret, healing from a dissolution of trust, newfound priorities, a shift in values, challenges following or preparing for major lift events, a last hope to resolve relationship issues)

• Looking to end a relationship (ending a relationship gracefully, navigating resentments, starting a new, non-intimate relationship, establishing common life goals: parenting, finances, workplace needs)

Videoconferencing via the Jane app only. See below for tips to ensure your online therapy experience is as comfortable as possible.

Cost per session: $180 (HST included)

Couple Therapy, 120 min.

Extended sessions are a part of an introductory couple session, including complete assessment.

Also available by request from clients, or if the therapist deems it therapeutically beneficial.

Videoconferencing via the Jane app only. See below for tips to ensure your online therapy experience is as comfortable as possible.

Cost per session : $220 (HST included)

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Virtual Therapy Tips

Making the most out of your time with Changes Counselling and Psychotherapy

Are you hesitant about attending therapy online or by phone?

Tried virtual therapy before but found it distracting or lacking connection?

See below for information on best practices to prepare for your virtual therapy experience.

In your first sessions, ask your therapist as many questions as you answer.

Think of your first session as a two-way interview where you can get a much clearer sense of whether you’ll work well together. Don’t be shy about letting your therapist know if you don’t think they’re a good match.

Understand the nature of the therapeutic relationship.

The therapeutic relationship is unique. You’ll get alienated from your therapist if you expect your relationship with them to be like your relationships with friends and family. To do their jobs well, therapists need to limit how much they share about themselves and focus more on listening to you.

Get technical issues out of the way before your session starts.

Check to see if you need to update your operating system or the Jane app if your system is running slow. Make sure you have a high-speed internet connection that supports high-quality streaming video. Let your therapist know if there seems to be any connection issues on their end. And remember to have your charger on hand!

If any background distractions at home are interfering with therapy, address them.

If family or pets are interrupting your sessions in a way that’s more disruptive than cute, close a door. Find childcare when sessions are scheduled, if possible. Put your phone on silent and tell family members or housemates not to interrupt you during this important time.

Optional items to enhance your therapy:

Pen and paper

Headset/headphones/earbuds

Lamp/ring light

A candle (real or electronic)

A cup of tea

Fidget/stone/comfortable object

Clock

Make time for silence and processing before and after your session.

Meditate, pray, sit silent, write, listen to music, play music, go for a walk, draw, etc.

Benefits of Virtual Therapy

Access therapy from anywhere (work, home, vehicle, etc.)
Flexibility and ease of scheduling
Feeling more comfortable in a familiar setting, enhancing vulnerability and disclosure
No commuting to and from your therapy appointment
Individuals in rural areas, with chronic illness, or those with transportation or mobility concerns may be able to access services that were previously unavailable
Eliminates any fear or concern for potentially running into a familiar face in the waiting room of a therapy office

You can read more about clinical research on the effectiveness of virtual therapy from the University of Alberta and the National Center for Health Research in the US.

Possible Drawbacks of Virtual Therapy

Not suitable for individuals in crisis and experiencing intense thoughts of suicide with urges to act on them, as it can be difficult for therapist to intervene appropriately
Some individuals may truly feel a lack of connection with a therapist and find they are more effective working in-person
Difficulty in attending if you don’t have access to a safe, secure, and confidential space to meet with your therapist virtually for sessions
Technological issues can occur and calls may be dropped, video could be frozen temporarily or difficulties logging into online videoconferencing platform

May the be with you!

Thank you for considering Changes Counselling and Psychotherapy. Still have questions?

Call or email for a free 15 minute consultation.

Book a Consultation Today