Services
Now providing virtual sessions all over Ontario
Do you think you could benefit from psychotherapy but are unsure of where to begin? Or have you been thinking about alternatives to conventional in-person counseling like internet psychotherapy? There are several efficient treatment services that might be of assistance to you if you’re looking for online psychotherapy in Ontario.
This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of getting mental health support online as well as the various methods available.
Online psychotherapy can be as powerful a service as traditional counselling and psychotherapy. Online psychotherapy is a useful tool which can be used to supplement traditional in-person psychotherapy, or as a helpful option when traditional psychotherapy might not be the best option - such as when an individual might be experiencing agoraphobia or any other social anxieties.
Online psychotherapy has been shown to be a very powerful and effective tool which can offer a lot of help to those who might be struggling to access the traditional services of talk therapy.
While traditional talk therapy is a fantastic option for many individuals, the ability to have support without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home is often a fantastic option - especially for those who might have social difficulties, be unable to get to their regular counsellor session for financial reasons, or
or simply feel overwhelmed by the task of going through long and intensive sessions of talk therapy.
While all of the below listed forms of therapy hold benefits and drawbacks, online video therapy is the best option for those who need consistent one-on-one support from a trained and qualified counsellor.
Audio-based psychotherapy takes a different approach to traditional therapy sessions, and often involves the client listening to audio sessions which can be either recorded, or live. There are also many audio-based meditation/mindfulness exercises available which can provide some incredible benefits when it comes to improving your mental health and well-being.
This is a useful choice since it allows you to receive assistance from a mental healthcare expert while also allowing you to express your ideas and feelings in writing rather than voicing them. This gives you more time to collect your ideas, and you may find it easier to communicate with your counsellor in this manner rather than in person or by any of the other modes of contact.
Text-based therapy can be incredibly useful in helping you to get support from a trained professional without having to pause what you are doing in order to get that support. It's easier to access in terms of time than a phone call or a video call, and you're able to access help in shorter bursts, without sacrificing the quality of the support that you receive.
Rather than having to travel to a counsellor, this option allows you to have one-on-one sessions via phone call at an arranged time. I find this to be a great option for those who want to have a more traditional counselling or psychotherapy experience, but would rather not have to commute to their counsellor's office!
This is a modern approach to providing talk-based therapy, as it involves the client putting on a pair of VR goggles, and having a therapy session in a virtual office. It allows for a very engaging and immersive session, and allows both counsellor and client to have a more interesting experience - and for the client to really feel like they are interacting with the counsellor from the privacy of their own environment.
I use evidence-based techniques and interventions to help you feel better and attain your goals. These may include trauma-informed and focused therapies, Experiential Therapies, Emotional and Cognitive Therapies. Most importantly, together will choose an approach to treatment based on your individual needs and goals.
In Ontario, all of the above listed forms of online therapy are available as either a temporary or a permanent solution, depending on what you need it for. This means that if you aren’t doing so well right now and just need a little extra help, you can seek out a counsellor whom you can talk with in the moment – whether it’s through a text based service, phone-based service, or any of the other forms of therapy available online.
Finding an online service that suits you and your situation can be a powerful way to help you get the support that you need right now. When seeking support for your mental health, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to limit yourself to traditional talk therapy. Modern psychotherapy services such as online video counselling and psychotherapy can be just as powerful, and just as helpful.
In Canada, all online counseling and psychotherapy services must be registered with a professional body, and all therapists are required to have training and education in counseling and psychotherapy.
Psychologists can provide counseling and therapy – as well as diagnosis. They need the highest level of education out of these two categories – because of this, they are often the most expensive out of the two categories as well.
Counselors may not have a masters degree in counseling or psychology, and thus cannot offer the same level of testing and treatment that a psychologist might be able to.
Typically, an online counseling session lasts between 45-60 minutes each. Some online therapy and counseling services offer shorter sessions – some counseling services will have an “express’ option which is 15 minutes in length,
Yes – online psychotherapy can help with depression. It can help people deal with negative thought patterns that are common with depression – and help individuals understand the way that their thoughts and feelings can impact their behaviour and wellbeing.
Yes – online psychotherapy can help with self-harm and suicidal ideation. With online psychotherapy and counseling, people are able to get help for these problems in a safe way which is accessible to them, and which they feel comfortable with.
Absolutely – online psychotherapy is a great way to help with low self esteem. One of the key things about low self esteem is that it can make us feel unworthy – but online psychotherapy can help us to overcome these challenges to our sense of confidence and self-worth.
Yes – online therapy can definitely help with relationships and interactions. For example, some counselors or psychotherapists working online can help with issues which are often related to these topics – such as conflict or arguments, or even feelings of isolation or loneliness
Absolutely – counseling and psychotherapy online can help with grief and loss
For example, one of the main themes of a loss and grief is the loss of a sense of the future. By talking through the way that you feel to someone who is trained to help in these situations – you can begin to start figuring out how to move forward from your loss or grief.
Yes – online counseling can help with obsessive compulsive disorder – which is often characterized by persistent intrusive thoughts. Intrusive thoughts are a very common feature of obsessive compulsive disorder – a condition in which people can become overwhelmed by thoughts or feelings which are out of their control, and which may make it difficult to function in certain areas such as their work, or in their relationships.
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For the time being, we will be conducting appointments exclusively through virtual means.
Thank you for your understanding.
I am an Ottawa-based Registered Psychotherapist and have a full-time private practice. In the past, I worked in social service agencies for many years. I offer individual, relationship, and sex therapy in English, Arabic, and Armenian to adults 18+, and I do not work with minors.
In 2011, I earned a master’s degree in Counselling from the University of Ottawa. I am a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario (CRPO#001132) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. In addition, I am a Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA#3058). My clinical training focuses on relationship and sex therapy and trauma/PTSD. Since 2013, I have been at Algonquin College as a seasonal professor, teaching courses in mental health and addiction.
I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to publish peer-reviewed articles and contribute chapters concerning Counselling, coming out, and trauma related explicitly to LGBTQ+ refugees and newcomers to Canada. I have presented numerous workshops and continue to offer trainings nationally and internationally on the mental health of LGBTQI+ and SOGIE refugees and asylum seekers.
Professional Work
Early in my professional career, I specialized in individual therapy and served clients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and grief. Since then, I have taken my clinical work to a higher level and gained more experience in four areas: PTSD and Trauma, Sexuality and Gender Identity, Sex and Relationship Therapy, and Refugee mental health issues. I have received various trainings in these areas since choosing to specialize. As an example, I received training from Division 56, Trauma Psychology, Physicians for Human Rights, and the Global Institute of Forensic Research in writing immigration evaluations for immigration courts. Furthermore, I have completed multiple trainings in trauma/PTSD therapy and relationship therapy (Poly. Kink). I have participated in numerous training opportunities in the field of sex therapy, sexuality, and gender identity.
I am a LGBTQI+/poly/kink/CNM supportive and informed therapist.
Therapeutic approaches
In addition to Narrative Exposure Therapy for PTSD (NET), I have also been trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD and Experiential Therapy and Focusing. I integrate social justice and rights-based principles into my work as a trauma-informed therapist.
Awards
In recognition of my dedication to helping LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers in Canada, I received the 2017 Humanitarian Award from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).
Affiliations
I have an international affiliate membership with Division 56, Trauma Psychology, the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Global Institute of Forensic Research.