What is Psychotherapy?
Huh? Occupational Therapy AND Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy was declared a “Controlled Act” in Ontario in December, 2017. This means that only certain Regulated Health Professionals (Social Workers, Social Service Workers, Nurses, Physicians & Surgeons, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, AND Occupational Therapists) can offer this service.
Lara is regulated by the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and does provide Psychotherapy as a modality within her practice.

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a form of treatment in which the major technique used is communication within the context of a therapeutic relationship for the purpose of helping individuals to develop strategies to manage difficult internal experiences (i.e. emotions, memories, expectations, disruptive thinking, physical pain), manage difficult external experiences (i.e. transitions, loss, conflict) or achieve personal growth and development.

My Approach

Lara’s approach will be tailored to meet your needs. It may be in the style of traditional counselling or it could be a piece of a broader rehabilitation program using a combination of modalities.
Lara’s preferred Framework is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT is a “mindfulness-based behavioral therapy” that involves exploring strategies for relating to private experiences (memories, thoughts, emotions, expectations and physical discomfort or pain) in ways that reduce their impact over your ability to live a rich and meaningful life. The goal of ACT is NOT to get rid of internal discomfort (a natural part of the human experience) but to build skills to make space for or “unhook” from the experience or “unhook” from the fight against the experience, thereby enhancing your psychological flexibility in difficult moments and helping you to respond to distress in ways that are consistent with your values.

Who Would Benefit?

Lara has experience supporting individuals struggling with Psychiatric illnesses including Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. However, you do not need to have a diagnosis in order to benefit from Psychotherapy. Anyone wanting help to navigate a difficult circumstance, pain, or distress could benefit. This approach could also be beneficial if you are feeling stuck and looking for strategies to explore your values, find direction and set effective goals.

Lara has a special interest in implementing psychotherapeutic strategies to support individuals & families to:

Recover from pelvic floor dysfuncton
Recover from persistent pain (related to pelvic floor dysfunction or other injuries)
Build skills in psychological flexibility & mindfulness to prepare for childbirth, the postpartum period and the constantly evolving demands of parenthood
Address perinatal mental health issues (i.e. depression, anxiety, anger, grief)
Learn strategies to help kids navigate BIG feelings in their LITTLE bodies

 

If you have questions, please contact Lara at [email protected].  If you would like to book in with her please call KW Pelvic Health Belmont at 519-743-4355.