Services & Rates
RATES
Phone Consultation - 20 min -
Free
Individual Psychotherapy Session - 1 hour -
$150
Combined Psychotherapy & Mindfulness Instruction Session - 1.5 hour -
$190
Private Mindfulness Instruction - 30 min -
$60
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO COVID-19 ALL SESSIONS ARE CURRENTLY CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY
All prices subject to HST
Psychotherapy sessions are covered under most extended insurance plans; please check with your provider
Payment options: Credit card or e-transfer
Counselling & Psychotherapy
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose
our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
VICTOR E. FRANKL
from “Man’s Search for Meaning”
Is Mindfulness-Based Therapy the Right Fit for You?
Mindfulness might be helpful for you if you notice any of the following: disconnection; difficulty managing your emotions; stress; a racing mind and getting trapped in thinking; avoidance of certain feelings or situations; locked into a repeating pattern of unhelpful or self-destructive habits; feelings of emptiness, numbness, or unfulfillment; spending a lot of time in distraction; feeling like you are just 'going through the motions' or functioning on 'automatic pilot.'
If any of that rings true for you, mindfulness training might be of benefit to you.
You don't need to be in 'crisis' to benefit from therapy!
Are you feeling stressed, stuck, or unfulfilled?
Do you want to change an unhelpful habit or pattern?
Do you want to learn how to better manage difficult emotions and thoughts?
Could you use some support going through a life change or transition?
Would you like to improve your communication and connection with others?
Are you interested in developing more self-compassion and acceptance?
Give mindfulness-based therapy a try!
What to Expect from My Approach
I work in a way that is gentle, compassionate, collaborative, supportive, and empowering. Sessions with me involve getting in touch with what’s important in your life, and identifying what keeps you stuck and prevents you from living the kind of life you want.
In our work together we will focus on these two things: 1. exploring what gives your life meaning and richness; and 2. learning how to relate to thoughts and feelings in a different and more helpful way. We will use mindfulness-based tools to handle thoughts and feelings more effectively, so that you no longer get overwhelmed by them, or run away or avoid them. We will practice these skills in our sessions together, so be prepared for a combination of talking and practicing! This, in turn, will allow you the freedom to do what matters even when painful thoughts and feelings show up.
With mindfulness-based therapy, you can begin to experience the fullness of life without getting stuck in destructive patterns, or trapped in emotional turmoil. You can move towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life; the life that you really want!
More than just Talk Therapy
Counselling sessions with me tend to be more experiential in nature, meaning in addition to talking we will also be practicing mindfulness techniques right in the session!
If you would like even more practice, you have the option of longer, 1.5 hour sessions that allow for extra time practicing particular yoga, meditation and/or other mindfulness techniques that augment our therapy work (for example; practices to target anxiety, sleep difficulties, fatigue, mood regulation, etc.)
Yoga & Meditation
“You can’t stop the waves but you can learn to surf”
JON KABAT-ZINN
Why Practice Yoga or Meditation?
When was the last time you really experienced stillness? Listened to the sounds around you or enjoyed the sensation of wind on your skin? Suspended your mind and dropped down into the raw experience of your body? In today’s busy, fast-paced world, it can be difficult to slow down and find the time for these types of moments. We get caught up in deadlines, responsibilities, chores, obligations, and worries. Other times, we might get so overwhelmed and burned out that we crash, switch off, disengage. Our minds and bodies beg for a break that just doesn’t seem to come.
By bringing mindfulness into our lives, whether it's through meditation or yoga, we consciously and purposefully increase these moments by slowing down and tuning in. In turn, this allows us to tap into our bodies’ natural ability for healing and wellness. By practicing mindfulness, we bring our bodies and nervous system back into their natural balance, improving the function of our immune and hormone systems, increasing emotional well-being and resilience, and coming back to our optimal functioning.
Many Options to Choose From
Private Yoga Instruction – Personalized instruction of yoga postures, with sequences uniquely tailored to your particular goals and needs. This can also include breathing exercises, meditation instruction, and relaxation techniques in addition to the physical yoga postures. One-on-one or small group of 2 or 3 if you prefer to practice with a friend or partner.
Combined Yoga/Meditation and Counselling – In addition to the above, these sessions also include a talking/counselling component. This can be especially helpful if you are struggling with a particular emotionally-related challenge such as anxiety, depression, coping with stress, self-esteem, or relationship challenges just to name a few. These sessions are longer, to allow time for practicing specific yoga and meditation techniques aimed at helping with your particular challenge or difficulty.
Private Mindfulness Meditation Training – For those who are only interested in mindfulness practice or mindfulness meditation, these sessions are perfect. You will receive personalized instruction and guidance, and learn different mindfulness meditations and/or exercises in order to find the ones that are the most suitable and beneficial for you.
The Benefit of Private Sessions
With private sessions at Mindful Living GTA, a program will be created uniquely tailored to your needs and lifestyle. A personalized assessment will identify areas of concern and goals for improvement. You will learn simple techniques to begin improving your health and well-being right away. Yoga and meditation is not always one-size-fits-all. There are many different applications that might be suitable for some people, and not suitable for others. This is not because “you are doing it wrong,” but because it is just the wrong fit for your biology, physiology, psychology, or lifestyle. This is where one-on-one sessions can be particularly helpful at making sure you are learning the practices and techniques that are going to be beneficial for YOU.
Did you know that you mind-wander 47% of your waking time?
In other words, 47% of the time you are thinking about something other than what you are currently doing!
Research shows that people are less happy when they are mind-wandering, and there is evidence that mind-wandering actually causes people to be unhappy.
Workshops
“If you take care of the minutes, the years will take care of themselves”
BUDDHIST SAYING
A Wonderful Way to Get Started or Go Deeper
Interested in mindfulness but not sure where to start? Hesitant to make a commitment at this point? Interested in learning more?
Attending a workshop can be a wonderful and affordable way to get started, or learn more about a particular area. Come learn about mindfulness for a few hours, and go home with skills and techniques you can start using to transform your life right away!
Retreats
“Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.”
GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE
Sometimes A Break in Your Life Brings Much Needed Perspective
Have you been dreaming of a vacation? Fantasizing about escaping? Longing for a break?
How about a retreat that will not only give you that break, but also rejuvenate your body and mind, and facilitate a change that can be the catalyst to transform your life?