Counselling / Psychology / Mental Health

The practice of psychotherapy is the assessment and treatment of cognitive, emotional or behavioural disturbances by psychotherapeutic means, delivered through a therapeutic relationship based primarily on verbal or non-verbal communication. What is Psychotherapy? Psychotherapy is primarily a talk-based therapy and is intended to help people improve and maintain their mental health and wel... Read More

The practice of psychotherapy is the assessment and treatment of cognitive, emotional or behavioural disturbances by psychotherapeutic means, delivered through a therapeutic relationship based primarily on verbal or non-verbal communication.

What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is primarily a talk-based therapy and is intended to help people improve and maintain their mental health and well-being. Psychotherapy occurs when the Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and client enter into a psychotherapeutic relationship where both work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feeling, behaviour and social functioning. Individuals usually seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours that are adversely affecting their day-to-day lives, relationships and the ability to enjoy life.

A psychotherapy client should be able to observe the following key elements over the course of their work with an RP:

- a conversation about the benefits, risks and expected outcome(s) of the psychotherapy and the opportunity to give their informed consent
- a clearly communicated, mutually agreed upon goal or plan for the psychotherapy
- each therapy session has a clear beginning and a clear end where problems or concerns are presented and discussed and outcomes are explored
- the Registered Psychotherapist demonstrates the appropriate use of boundaries to create a safe and confidential environment
- These important elements are part of the effective client-therapist psychotherapeutic relationship that is the foundation of psychotherapy. Through this relationship, RPs are expected to:
- ensure that the client’s well-being is at the forefront of the relationship;
- work with the client(s) to gather relevant information that will support the formulation of a plan for psychotherapy;
- continuously evaluate outcomes of each session and the impact on overall treatment goal(s);
- practise safe and effective use of self throughout the psychotherapeutic process; and
- adhere to the standards of practice for the profession.
Registered Psychotherapists will be competent to use a treatment approach or modality that is part of one or more of the categories of prescribed therapies, which include:

Cognitive and Behavioural therapies
Experiential and Humanistic therapies
Psychodynamic therapies
Somatic therapies
Systemic and Collaborative therapies

Controlled Act of Psychotherapy
Registered Psychotherapists are authorized to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy.

What to Expect from a Registered Psychotherapist
When you seek the services of a Registered Psychotherapist, you can expect to receive competent, ethical, quality care from a qualified professional who is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, CRPO.

RPs are accountable to CRPO for the quality of care they provide and for their professional conduct. Only individuals who are registered with CRPO are able to use the title “psychotherapist”, “Registered Psychotherapist” or any abbreviation or variation thereof in any language, or to hold themselves out as qualified to practise as a psychotherapist in Ontario (no matter what title they use).

Standards of Practise
All RPs in Ontario must follow the established standards for the profession. CRPO’s Professional Practice Standards for Registered Psychotherapists are in place so you can be assured that your psychotherapist is practising in a competent and ethical manner. The standards provide clear expectations for RPs, covering everything from professional conduct to record-keeping and documentation.

CRPO holds all Registered Psychotherapists accountable for their conduct and practise.

Tracy offers integrative psychotherapeutic treatment for adult individuals 18+. She uses modalities including Somatic Experiencing, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic and Attachment interventions.

Scope of practice: Cognitive, emotional, behavioural and spiritual mental health concerns related to the following areas are treated through her care:

Anxiety, Work & career related stress, Life transitions, Adaptation to illness, Depression, Infertility & reproductive challenges, Sleep challenges, Parenting stress, Grief and loss, Existential, Self esteem, Trauma, Sexuality and gender, Interpersonal & relational challenges, Spirituality & religious issues,

What led you to become a Psychotherapist?

I am fascinated by the human capacity to heal and grow cognitively, emotionally, behaviourally and spiritually. Being a Psychotherapist provides the opportunity to follow my passion to support, witness and guide those who are on this journey in a holistic way.

Why should clients choose you as their Psychotherapist?

Growth takes courage and vulnerability. I provide a safe place for people to explore life’s challenges and seek clarity. I have life experiences that help to empathize with clients in a genuine, compassionate and nonjudgemental way. I use researched based integrated treatment that is tailored to client needs. I have training from the School of Counselling and Psychotherapy at Saint Paul University in Ottawa. I am trained in Somatic Experiencing through teachings of Dr. Peter Levine & Somatic Experiencing International. I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.

What are the top 3 areas of treatments that you specialize in? Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem,

What are you proud of in your practice?

I am proud to witness clients feel better and know that I was there to support them along the way. I think I am pretty good at being present for people, staying real and listening to what they are saying to the best of my ability. Many of my clients have said that it felt great to be heard, seen and supported after a session with me. To me, this is what I am here to do.

Which cases do you enjoy treating? Why?

I would have to say that I enjoy cases where collaboratively we work with client’s strengths and build upon them to reach their chosen goals. This process gives space for clients to experience positivity and provides energy for the parts that may require some refurbishment. We all have those parts!

What is your greatest accomplishment to date?

My greatest accomplishment is that I found the courage to change my profession. Believe me it was scary to leave a well paid job go, back to University to get a Graduate Degree while balancing roles of mom, wife, daughter. I got terribly sick in the middle of it with Addison’s Disease. I feel so grateful I was able to keep going and make that change despite struggle and suffering at times. I love what I do now as a Psychotherapist!

What do you do for fun? I enjoy time in nature, gardening, kitting, meditation, yoga, learning something new, cooking, travel, reading, family walks with our dog and admiring the birds.

Tracy offers integrative psychotherapeutic treatment for adult individuals 18+. She uses modalit... Read More

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