INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY
Psychotherapy is an effective and meaningful intervention that can help individuals to address important concerns and questions that arise at various times in life. Our therapists practice a variety of psychotherapy modalities, and we tailor our approach to each of our client's specific needs.
All psychotherapies address one central question:
All psychotherapies address one central question:
How do I grow, change and evolve, in order to move through life in a more adaptive way?
Sometimes this question reflects a general desire to focus on self-improvement, and to develop into more of the person we aspire to be. Carl Rogers, the most celebrated person-centered therapist of the twentieth century, describes it in his writings in this way: How do I better align my 'actual self' with my 'ideal self'?
Other times, this question arises in response to acute discomfort, distress or trauma rooted in life events and experiences that cause emotional pain and suffering. These events propel us to seek out additional supports from professionals trained in addressing these concerns, who are able to offer empathy and discerning counsel in our times of need.
Most revealing is when these two categories are linked, and on these occasions we are given a unique opportunity for substantial growth, repair and healing.
At Parkdale Psychology, our therapists are qualified to help support you on your individual journey of discovery, recovery and healing. Our skilled therapists are trained in research-based methods of psychotherapy, while also valuing the wisdom traditions of deep listening, and using perception and intuition to connect with, and support, our clients.
Other times, this question arises in response to acute discomfort, distress or trauma rooted in life events and experiences that cause emotional pain and suffering. These events propel us to seek out additional supports from professionals trained in addressing these concerns, who are able to offer empathy and discerning counsel in our times of need.
Most revealing is when these two categories are linked, and on these occasions we are given a unique opportunity for substantial growth, repair and healing.
At Parkdale Psychology, our therapists are qualified to help support you on your individual journey of discovery, recovery and healing. Our skilled therapists are trained in research-based methods of psychotherapy, while also valuing the wisdom traditions of deep listening, and using perception and intuition to connect with, and support, our clients.
Examples of distress-motivated concerns we work with include:
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Examples of growth-motivated concerns we work with include:
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COUPLES THERAPY
Twenty first century relationships ask a lot of us. We yearn for safety, security, excitement and fulfillment in our primary relationships. We wish for our partners to be a best friend and confidant, a fervent lover, a career maverick, and a responsible and devoted co-parent. This is a tall order--often impossibly tall. Each of us will struggle at different times to live up to our partner's expectations of us, and to moderate our own expectations of our partner. There will be moments when we inevitably fall short, and disappoint one another. Wish fulfillment of the "ideal relationship" is often illusive; we are imperfect beings, and reality often does not mirror our romantic desires.
Successful engagement in a long-term, committed relationship requires that we mature and bend as individuals, in order to soften our hard edges that create distance between us. It also requires that we grow toward one another, and roll up our sleeves to engage in the "work" of love.
Couples therapy tends to address this central question:
Successful engagement in a long-term, committed relationship requires that we mature and bend as individuals, in order to soften our hard edges that create distance between us. It also requires that we grow toward one another, and roll up our sleeves to engage in the "work" of love.
Couples therapy tends to address this central question:
How do we grow, change and evolve, both as individuals and as a team, in order to be better partners to one another?
Often, this developmental arc is passive, happening in the background of our day-to-day life and interactions. Other times, however, there are periods in our long term relationships when it becomes necessary to actively engage with this question and "roll up our sleeves", so to speak. This occurs when a couple finds themselves in a crisis, at an impasse, or in a simmering conflict, and realize they are stuck in repetitive and unfulfilling interactional dynamics. Leaning into this central question becomes even more paramount when these dynamics escalate and become actively destructive, such as in the case of persistent heightened conflict.
At Parkdale Psychology, our therapists work within the culture of your relationship, and toward your goals. We understand that people are not always living out their true values in their relationships when they are experiencing significant stress, and we bring a non-judgemental approach to gently moving through these difficult times.
In our years of practice, we have observed consistent characteristics of successful relationships. The following offers a brief snapshot of some of these characteristics:
- The promotion of relational interactions characterized by respect and care
- The intentional dedication of time and energy towards nurture the quality of connection
- The motivation to continually learn about one other, to respect differences, and to work together to meet each other's needs
- The recognition of outside influences on relational dynamics, especially with respect to attachment styles learned in our family of origin
- The ability to balance the dual needs of autonomy and connectedness
- The desire to foster one another's growth and success in personal, family and professional realms
Our therapists respect your relational choices and honour your unique identity. We work with clients in relationships that are monogamous, polyamorous, open/non-monogamous and swinging. We work with folks of all genders and sexual identities.
At Parkdale Psychology, we will work with you to grow in your personal life and in your relationship.
Examples of common presenting concerns we work with include:
- Breaking the cycle of persistent conflict
- Moving away from criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling, and moving towards kindness, appreciation, responsibility and connection
- Falling out of love, feeling disconnected, and considering separation and divorce
- Reconciling after infidelity
- Working together to be more effective in parenting
- Managing multiple relationships, and/or opening up closed relationships to others
- Negotiating relationship contracts and establishing and committing to a shared vision
FAMILY THERAPY
Shepherding our children from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood presents us with both immeasurable joy and meaning, as well as innumerable questions about how best to do this. Adapting to the changing needs of our children often requires us to stretch and grow in ways that can be quite challenging. Family conflicts can arise during times of great change, crisis or stress, and can fracture our sense of connectedness. It is challenging to keep the system intact with many divergent perspectives and needs.
Family relationships shape who we are as individuals, and set the blueprints for our future relationships. We yearn to be seen and valued by family members and to have our perspectives and preferences understood and respected by our parents, siblings and children. Unfortunately, our family interactions can sometimes leave us feeling disrespected, diminished or dismissed. Given the centrality of these core relationships, this can cause significant distress and upset.
At Parkdale Psychology, our therapists work from the assumption that every parent is doing her or his best to provide their children with the most stable and loving upbringing, full of opportunity and promise. We also recognize that it is natural to seek outside support in achieving these outcomes. Our therapists also begin with an assumption that each child is doing his or her best to grow and respond to their world in pro-social ways. We work to support parents and children to respond more adaptively to conflicts, challenges and changes, in order for the family to remain connected and for family members to support one another through life's difficulties.
Adult family members also may engage our services in order to work toward resolving present challenges in the family, or to address and heal from historical issues that continue to present as "unfinished business". Our therapists work to facilitate greater understanding between family members, while nurturing communication styles that emphasize respect, openness and care. Working through family rifts can seem uncomfortable and overwhelming at times, but it also presents a unique opportunity for growth and reunification.
Family relationships shape who we are as individuals, and set the blueprints for our future relationships. We yearn to be seen and valued by family members and to have our perspectives and preferences understood and respected by our parents, siblings and children. Unfortunately, our family interactions can sometimes leave us feeling disrespected, diminished or dismissed. Given the centrality of these core relationships, this can cause significant distress and upset.
At Parkdale Psychology, our therapists work from the assumption that every parent is doing her or his best to provide their children with the most stable and loving upbringing, full of opportunity and promise. We also recognize that it is natural to seek outside support in achieving these outcomes. Our therapists also begin with an assumption that each child is doing his or her best to grow and respond to their world in pro-social ways. We work to support parents and children to respond more adaptively to conflicts, challenges and changes, in order for the family to remain connected and for family members to support one another through life's difficulties.
Adult family members also may engage our services in order to work toward resolving present challenges in the family, or to address and heal from historical issues that continue to present as "unfinished business". Our therapists work to facilitate greater understanding between family members, while nurturing communication styles that emphasize respect, openness and care. Working through family rifts can seem uncomfortable and overwhelming at times, but it also presents a unique opportunity for growth and reunification.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS FOR ADULTS
Our Registered Psychologists provide assessment services for adult clients who require diagnostic clarification and support with care and treatment. Assessment can be helpful in uncovering our root challenges and concerns, as well as in determining directions for treatment.
Assessment typically involves both structured and unstructured interviews, as well as the completion of psychometric tests that provide some objective measures. Assessment and diagnosis should be entered into with the informed consent of the client, and with client input into what benefit they seek to obtain from the process. At the completion of the assessment process, the psychologist and client should meet to discuss the findings, and to determine the utility of the findings in the context of the client's life.
Often, individuals seek assessment for the following reasons:
Oftentimes, assessments are conducted utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association and currently in it's fifth edition (DSM-V). However, not all clients wish to engage in this diagnostic process. Other diagnostic conceptualizations utilize an adaptive lens to look not only at challenges, trauma and difficulties, but also at resilience and coping. The manner in which the assessment process proceeds can be determined in conversation with your psychologist.
Psychological assessments that are conducted at Parkdale Psychology are done so from the premise that assessment and diagnosis processes should be in service of empowering clients to better respond to themselves, their needs, and the world around them.
Assessment typically involves both structured and unstructured interviews, as well as the completion of psychometric tests that provide some objective measures. Assessment and diagnosis should be entered into with the informed consent of the client, and with client input into what benefit they seek to obtain from the process. At the completion of the assessment process, the psychologist and client should meet to discuss the findings, and to determine the utility of the findings in the context of the client's life.
Often, individuals seek assessment for the following reasons:
- To obtain a more clear understanding of functional, cognitive and relational strengths and challenges
- To offer diagnostic clarification and case conceptualization (a "shared language" and a "shared understanding" of a client's life)
- To gain access to additional health and social services
- To offer other health care providers in the circle of care a shared understanding of a client's condition
- To gain a sense of needs and boundaries
Oftentimes, assessments are conducted utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association and currently in it's fifth edition (DSM-V). However, not all clients wish to engage in this diagnostic process. Other diagnostic conceptualizations utilize an adaptive lens to look not only at challenges, trauma and difficulties, but also at resilience and coping. The manner in which the assessment process proceeds can be determined in conversation with your psychologist.
Psychological assessments that are conducted at Parkdale Psychology are done so from the premise that assessment and diagnosis processes should be in service of empowering clients to better respond to themselves, their needs, and the world around them.
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