Life Doesn't Get Better by Chance
It Gets Better by Change - Jim Rohn
I'M DONE SURVIVING! I CHOOSE THRIVING!
But Can It Really Be Different?
Can It Last?
IS THERE A FUTURE YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO ACHIEVE?
OR A PAST YOU WANT TO LEAVE BEHIND?
Every year millions of people make a resolution to improve their life - but only about 9% succeed!
If New Year's resolutions are hard to sustain, what challenges await the 1 in 4 people that struggle with mental health?
Unfortunately, it's not surprising that success is minimal, since most people prioritize first order changes.
What is a first order change? It is a simple change that really only considers obvious causes; it assumes simple problems so it offers simplistic solutions, often behavioural changes.
Second order changes
account for complexity. Each person is made up of sub-systems, or parts. Second order changes create alignment between these competing wills, efforts are synergized, and new skills are developed so that sustained outcomes are possible.
Neuroscience continues to provide insight into our ability to create and sustain change. In fact, now with a variety of brain scans at our disposal, we can observe not only the brain, but its functioning. With these tools we are discovering the brain's amazing ability to change itself - it's called neuroplasticity.
With thousands of hours of experience, a unique synthesis of powerful theories (e.g. CBT, SFT, Person-Centered, Family Systems, Narrative, NLP, and Focusing), informed by neuroscience, I guide clients through the challenges of 2nd order changes to make and sustain change.
The goal isn't to survive, instead it's to develop the capacity to move beyond present limitations and overcome future challenges.
It Can Be Different!
Approach
THE KEY TO LASTING 2ND ORDER CHANGES REVOLVE AROUND 3 KEY PRINCIPLES
Meaningful Insight
Deep, Non-Judgmental Understanding
WHY?!
Because it's Risky to Attempt Change without Understanding!
Intuitively we know recycling the same old thoughts and asking why continuously, isn’t the same as gaining insight.
Truly listening gives the gift of space to think deeply and carefully feel our way forward - an ideal environment for insights!
Insight can help answer why, evoke compassion for self and other, and generate clarity for future actions.
Insight comes from a deep understanding, and...
Understanding comes from attentive listening without judgement.
Strategic Effort
Turn That Dial
Pull This Lever
GUIDED!
Because you don't want to just rehash problems with an audience.
Often we need more than just a listening ear, insight, and to be left to our own devices with a haphazard trial-and-error approach to creating change.
We don’t have the energy, time, or ability to focus on everything.
Sometimes the insight we need is WHAT to try, WHEN, and HOW.
By combining powerful evidence-based theories and tailored approaches, my clients are guided and empowered to achieve personalized insights, use their energies strategically, and develop life-long skills which sustain life improving changes.
Life-Long Skills
Life-Long Returns on Your Investment
SKILLS!
Because in business and finance, we expect good returns on investments.
Is $1 million a lot of money to pay for something?
Of course... It depends. If you're buying a house in Vancouver or Toronto, maybe not. If it's a grocery bill, that's insane!
But how expensive would $1 million be if it gave you a guaranteed $10 million back each and every year?
The returns contextualize the cost.
That's what skills are like - an amazing return on your efforts.
Pain can indeed lead to gain, if it results in a skills upgrade.
Background
A little over 20 years ago I made a major course correct. I had been studying at the University of Toronto to become a doctor. One morning, sitting in a 3rd year immunology class, sipping my Tim Horton's double double, I realized medicine wasn't what I had expected. However, a random psychology class peaked my interest and altered my course.
I completed my science degree, but then spent the next few years getting a Master's in Counselling (as well as a 2nd Master's, just for fun of course... some of us are wired funny). My starting point, my first agency job, required a move to Calgary. It was ideal, but I had extra time, so I started a private practice. Within a year I was back in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to be close to family. When the College of Registered Psychotherapists opened in Ontario (CRPO), I easily qualified because of my extensive education and years of experience.
In 2014 we moved to Oxford, UK for my wife's Ph.D. There I registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and started up a second office. Upon completing her thesis, we returned back to Toronto where I continued to serve Canadian and English clients.
Influences
Person-Centered Therapy
BECAUSE EACH PERSON IS UNIQUE AND VALUABLE
Society often values things and people for their performance, but Person-Centered Therapy values the individual. No matter where they are, what they say, or how they think.
This baseline of acceptance and genuine listening can offer a short-cut to authenticity, assertiveness, and confidence, which make overcoming a host of challenges much easier.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
BECAUSE DYSFUNCTIONAL FEELINGS SHOULDN’T BE IN CHARGE
Sometimes feelings stop serving us and start dominating. They interfere.
CBT shows how thoughts affect feelings which drive behavior. So, to have the life we desire, dysfunctional feelings need to be led rather than be put in charge.
Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
BECAUSE THE PAST ISN’T WHERE YOU WANT TO LIVE
Instead of getting stuck in the past and overwhelmed by problems, Solution-Focused Therapy reorients the focus back into your sphere of influence and control – the present, where you can envision and plan your future.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
BECAUSE YOU CAN LEAD YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND
Neuroscience confirms the experience we have of “being” various subparts of ourselves. Different subsystems and parts, all with different goals and desires, interact within one person.
NLP helps to harness the communication between these various subsystems, bringing alignment, so that there is synergy in our efforts, rather than conflict.
![PROFILE[1]_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0627c5_d6276f02d2a44c678e50747e38d88a10~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_436,h_555,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/0627c5_d6276f02d2a44c678e50747e38d88a10~mv2.jpg)
Experience
ADDICTIONS - Unhealthy Coping
ANGER - It's Not Right!
ANXIETY -Safety Hypervigilence
ASSERTIVENESS - You Matter, Too
CONFIDENCE - Getting Back Up on Your Feet
DEPRESSION - It Doesn't Matter...
RELATIONSHIPS - Hard-Wired to Connect
TRAUMA - Overwhelming Experiences that Cripple
WORKPLACE STRESS - Colleague Chaos and Unrealistic Expectations
Contact and Your Next Steps
40% OF THE BENEFIT OF THERAPY COMES FROM THE RELATIONSHIP ITSELF
BOOK A FREE 15 MIN INTAKE CALL TO SEE IF WE ARE A GOOD FIT
VIrtual Appointments
VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS
Convenience without the drive
Book Your Own Appointment
PICK A CONVENIENT TIME from the calendar for a free introductory callback
coming soon
Schedule Your Call
FREE 15 MIN INTRO CALL
to discuss your goals and to get answers about availability, fees, and coverage
Email Contact
WhatsApp Text
SKIP THE LINE
whatsapp text (647)778-9459
for quickest access
Benefits Coverage
COVERED BY INSURANCE Psychotherapy services are covered throughout Canada by most benefit providers
Pick Your Own Appointment
Coming Soon!