Therapy that works combines your openness to new ideas and willingness to challenge yourself with your therapist's experience, knowledge, compassion, and skill.

Therapy won't help with things you can't control. But it absolutely can help with the things that change when you think, feel, and behave differently.

And in my experience? That's most things.

Well, a few things actually.

I've been doing this for twenty-five years. But what shaped me as a therapist wasn't just the training, it was the stuff life threw at me along the way. Losing people I loved. Navigating a wonderful thirty-year marriage that has stretched me to my limits and made me a better person. Raising two daughters from babies to young women, and all the living and learning that comes with it. My experience is my most potent resource, and I bring it with me into every session.

Most therapists are really good at helping you understand your problem. I care about that too. But understanding alone rarely changes your life. What I'm really interested in is what happens next, what you actually do differently when you leave here.

I draw from approaches that have been tested and proven over decades. 

For couples it's The Gottman Method, and Emotionally Focused Therapy. 

For young people it’s Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, and Person Centered Therapy. 

But I've also spent twenty-five years developing my own thinking — things I couldn't find in any textbook because they came from being in the room for over 12,000 sessions with real people facing real problems.

And I'm just a pretty straightforward guy. No jargon. No trendy talk or jumping on bandwagons. Just honest conversation and a genuine interest in helping you figure out what needs to shift.

Therapy is a human relationship first. And like all relationships, some people click… some don't. That's just reality.

That's why we offer a free 20-minute conversation before you decide if you're ready to take the plunge. No pressure. Just a chance to talk and see how it feels.

When you're in that conversation, look out for a few things. Does this person seem knowledgeable about your issues? Do you feel comfortable and at ease? Can you imagine being open and honest with them?

If the answer is yes, it's probably a good fit. If it's not, that's okay too. The most important thing is that you find the right person.

And don't be shy about asking questions. About their approach, their experience, their education. A good therapist won't mind. We certainly don't.

Good news — yes! But make sure you check out a few things first.

Psychotherapy isn't covered by OHIP, but most extended health insurance plans cover some or all of it. Before your first session, it's worth a quick call to your insurer to find out a few things: Does your plan cover services provided by a Registered Psychotherapist? Do you need a physician's referral first? Are there any specific requirements for receipts or claims?

One thing worth knowing: some insurance providers — including Cooperators, Blue Cross, Empire Life, Greenshield, and Equitable Life — require that you be seen directly by a Registered Psychotherapist and won't cover a supervised practice model. If you're with one of these companies, check with them before booking.

We don't do direct billing, but after every session we will email you an invoice with everything you need to submit your claim and get reimbursed. We try to make that part as painless as possible.

I wish I could give you an exact answer. I know that's what you're looking for.

The truth is that it depends on what you're dealing with and how much it's affecting your life. There's no one-size-fits-all answer here.

I can tell you how it usually goes. Most people start with weekly sessions. As you start feeling better and you've got strategies to work with, we spread things out — bi-weekly, then monthly. The goal is always to need us less, not more.

That's the same whether you're coming in as a couple or as a young person. As always, our one focus is getting you past the roadblock and back on the road.

If you're new to therapy, you might feel some nerves as you settle in and get comfortable. That's completely normal. In my experience, the nerves usually disappear pretty quickly once you start talking and realize nobody's judging you here.

If you've been in therapy before, you'll have some idea of what to expect. But don't be surprised if it also feels a little different than past experiences.

Every first session starts with a few housekeeping items. Confidentiality — what it means, and where its limits are. Informed consent — making sure you understand what the process is all about. I know how important this work is to you, and I want you walking in with your eyes open.

After that, we get to business pulling together as many puzzle pieces as possible. The first session usually isn't really about rolling up our sleeves yet, it's about understanding enough to know which direction to head.

For young people, those puzzle pieces are usually: school, work, friendships, family, interests, and the issues that brought you in.

For couples, the usual puzzle pieces are: where the relationship is right now and what the main problems are; the story of your relationship from the beginning; and the stories of the families you each grew up in.

It's a lot of ground to cover. But it means when we start the real work, we're heading in the right direction from day one.