All of our therapists provide general counselling in the areas of stress management, anxiety, depression, bereavement/grief, and coping with life changes. Our services are available in English, Spanish, and French, and faith-based treatment is available upon request.

We provide Anger Solutions counselling for adults, teens (aged 13-17), and children (aged 9-12). We accept referrals from individuals, physicians, rehabilitation professionals, and from probation and parole services. Self-referrals are welcome. Group sessions are also available. Learn more about Anger Solutions by visiting www.angersolution.com. Our Anger Solutions for Kids Group runs (on demand) for SIX WEEKS at a time, one night per week. There is a registration fee of $150 per child. Call for more information: 905-409-1869. Anger Solutions Services are available through Julie Christiansen or Norelis Alvarez, in English, French, or Spanish.

Trauma can occur as a result of catastrophic events such as the September 11th attacks, a violent robbery/home invasion, sexual assault or other event. It can also be the result of chronic intense stress such as working in a high stress job, being a hostage or P.O.W., bullying, military service, or other situations that  are long lasting and require the brain to remain in a state of hyper-arousal for an extended period of time. Symtoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder may include flashbacks, nightmares, auditory and/or visual hallucinations, heightened anxiety, hypervigilance, depression, and survivor guilt. We assist persons who are coping with the negative effects of trauma to regain a sense of control and normalcy in their day-to-day functioning. All of our therapists are available to provide trauma counselling.

We help people overcome the shock and trauma associated with motor vehicle accidents. Pain, post-traumatic stress, depression/low-motivation, sleep disruptions, cognitive impairments, driver or passenger anxiety are all common symptoms that may appear following an MVA; sometimes they do not appear for several weeks or even months after the accident. We will work with your rehabilitation team, lawyers, physicians, and insurers to help you achieve optimal functioning as soon as possible so you can get back to living your life.  

Biofeedback
Stress and emotional distress have an impact on your body. When you are dealing with stress or anxiety your body may experience a fight-or-flight reaction, where your body quickly prepares itself to confront or escape a threatening situation by increasing your heart rate and respiration, altering blood flow, tensing muscles, and causing the palms of your hands to perspire and feel cold. Biofeedback is a way to measure and learn to manage your body’s response to stress and anxiety. Sensors placed on the hands can measure sweat gland activity and temperature, and this information is used to help you change the state of your body in order to feel relaxed and in control. Biofeedback can help you learn to manage your emotions, to cope with generalized and specific anxiety, with recovery from trauma, and management of chronic pain.

Have you been the target of strange, aggressive, or belittling behaviours at work? Perhaps you have wondered if it is all just in your head or if someone is deliberately trying to make your work life difficult. Are you feeling stressed, depressed, or anxious because of these attacks? Workplace bullying can be defined as "repeated events and actions intended to offend, humiliate, harass, cause the victim stress and demonstrate hostile or aggressive behaviors" Einarsen (1999),  and is identified as "repetitive, abusive behavior that devalues and harms people in the work environment" (Barrow, 2009). In addition to providing counselling, moral support, and  effective coping strategies for toxic workplaces, our practice partners with Dr. Lisa Barrow, Workplace Bullying Expert to educate and empower our clients who are experiencing bullying. Dr. Barrow provides strategic advice and referrals to governing bodies that can assist you in addressing the bullying. We also offer services for children who engage in bullying behaviour (Anger Solutions for Kids), as well as specialized counselling for children who have been the target of bullying. With a focus on improving self-esteem, effective problem solving, relationship building, and decision making, we teach children how to feel powerful without making others feel powerless. Services available in English and Spanish.

The Reality Therapy (Choice Theory) approach to counselling posits that every problem is fundamentally a relationship problem (Glasser, 1995). We strive to empower you to bring the best of yourself to every relationship, whether it be a partnership, common-law, marriage, family, workplace, or business relationship.  With a focus on open communication, building or re-establishing trust, increasing understanding, and navigating conflicts, relationship is at the heart of everything we do. Services available in English, French, and Spanish.

Sometimes disagreements and disputes cannot be resolved without the help of an impartial third party intervenor. Sometimes, hurts and old emotional wounds resurface and threaten to destroy the stability of a relationship. We are happy to provide Marriage and Couples Counselling Services provided by Norelis Alvarez and Amanda Riley. Services are available in English and Spanish.

Services provided exclusively by Norelis Alvarez. Services available in English and Spanish.