cognitive behavioural therapy

Depression is much more than simple unhappiness. It is a complex mood disorder caused by various factors, including genetic predisposition, personality, stress and brain chemistry. While it can suddenly go into remission, depression is not something that people can “get over” by their own effort.  Depression can cause sleep disruption, physical pain, memory issues, and disrupt a persons life minimally or greatly.  Depression is an individual experience and psychotherapy can be incorporated into your treatment plan.

People with anxiety disorders may feel anxious most of the time or for brief intense episodes, which may occur for no apparent reason. You may have anxious feelings that are so uncomfortable that you avoid  activities that may be linked to these feelings.   Some people have occasional anxiety attacks so intense that they are terrified or immobilized.  If anxiety causes distress in your life to the point that it negatively affects your ability to work or study, socialize and manage daily tasks, psychotherapy can help.

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Burnout in the course of employment can make one feel emotionally drained and unable to function in the context of work and other aspects of life. Burnout can reduce productivity and can lower your motivation and cause you to feel helpless, hopeless and resentful.  Burnout is treatable through cognitive-behavioural therapy (a form of psychotherapy). There is hope!

A toxic workplace is characterized by negative, destructive, and harmful behaviours that negatively impact employees' mental and physical health, productivity, and overall well-being. It's more than just occasional conflict; it's a pervasive environment of negativity, disrespect, and hostility.  Psychotherapy can help you feel heard, and can help you restore your mental wellbeing.

A chronic illness is a long-lasting health condition that typically persists for a year or more, often requiring ongoing medical attention and potentially limiting daily activities. These illnesses can be controlled but not cured, and they often require managing the symptoms and adapting to the limitations they impose.  The impact of a chronic illness on relationships and income is underestimated.  Psychotherapy helps you develop tools and strategies to get you through the harder days, while helping you advocate for yourself and your needs.

Did you know that chronic pain is recognized as a disease by the World Health Organization?  Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience typically associated with physical damage to the body. Chronic pain can occur:

• without a known cause
• after an injury has healed
• after a condition has been treated

Chronic pain is when the pain lasts longer than 3 months.  It is a unique and personal experience that can vary widely from person to person. People experiencing pain can often feel isolated and a sense of hopelessness.   As a nurse and a psychotherapist I trust a person's assessment of their own pain. Together we can develop strategies to better manage your mental and emotional health.

People with disabilities may benefit from psychotherapy, no matter their category of disability.  Disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person's body and mind and features of the society in which they live. A disability can occur at any time in a person's life; some people are born with a disability, while others develop a disability later in life. It can be permanent, temporary or episodic. Disability can steadily worsen, remain the same, or improve. It can be very mild to very severe.  

Caregiver fatigue, also known as caregiver burnout or caregiver stress,  is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion experienced by someone providing care for a chronically ill, elderly, or disabled individual. It arises from the prolonged stress and demands of caregiving, often leading to a diminished capacity to care for both the recipient and the caregiver themselves.   There are many Canadians who are caregiving for a loved one, while also parenting children.   Psychotherapy helps you focus on your own mental health and wellbeing (either during or after your caregiving duties have concluded).

Career counseling is a process where a trained professional, a career counselor, helps individuals explore career options, make informed decisions about their future, and develop strategies to achieve their career goals. It involves understanding oneself (interests, skills, values) and the world of work, and using this knowledge to navigate career paths and transitions

Monique has worked in leadership and senior leadership for over a decade.   Leadership development for women refers to services designed to equip women with the skills, confidence, and support necessary to excel in leadership roles and advance within their careers. The focus can be on enhancing leadership skills, fostering a strong leadership identity, creating supportive environments where women can thrive, and address gender-specific challenges and biases that women may encounter in leadership development.

In Canada, the term "newcomer" generally refers to individuals who have recently immigrated to Canada and have not yet become Canadian citizens, with the typical timeframe being within the first five years of arrival. This includes both immigrants and refugees.  Monique has lived abroad and knows how it feels to arrive in a new country.  Psychotherapy can help you develop key communication, advocacy and career skills.  Welcome to Canada!

Maternity and postpartum mental health refers to a woman's emotional, psychological, and social well-being during pregnancy and up to one year after childbirth. It encompasses a range of conditions, including perinatal depression, anxiety and psychosis, which can occur during pregnancy or the postpartum period. "Perinatal" refers to the period from conception to one year postpartum, while "postpartum" specifically denotes the time after childbirth.  As a former registered nurse in maternity and post-partum I understand how every mother's experience is unique and delicate.  If you're seeking an empathetic, non-judgemental and psychologically safe area to explore improving your mental well-being, I'm confident we can accomplish that together.