Lisa Darrach

As a psychotherapist I work by listening to what a person says and thinks and feels, working with the whole person as the person experiences herself or himself, looking at not only what a person is aware of but also those things a person is not aware of—those thoughts and feelings and beliefs that are unconscious or only partly understood. Therapy is an exploration of those feelings and beliefs in a respectful, attentive, and caring context.

My first training was in literature. I received my PhD in English Literature from the University of Toronto and have spent many years teaching at both the university and college levels, something I have enjoyed immensely. In 1994 I decided to take additional extensive training at The Centre for Training in Psychotherapy in Toronto, and have been practicing since 2000. In earlier years, I lived in Europe and the Middle East. During the Yom Kippur War, I was living in Israel, which had a profound effect on my life. That experience spurred me to a 20-year involvement in Christian-Jewish dialogue, which eventually evolved into Christian-Jewish-Muslim dialogue. This was a tremendous education in learning to deeply respect another person. Since 2001, I have also been actively involved in the Canadian Association for Psychodynamic Therapy (CAPT), serving six years on the Board of Directors and engaged for many years in the process of regulating psychotherapy in Ontario.

Psychotherapy may be helpful for you if you experience

• emotional or psychological pain
• long-term or debilitating illness and pain
• difficulties in relationship
• depression
• grief
• feelings of being lost
• sleeplessness
• anger/rage
• a sense of disconnection
• disturbing moods
• inner conflict
• difficulty changing your behaviour
• confusion about your life
• the effects of abuse or trauma of any kind

Psychotherapy is a process that aims to help you come to a clearer understanding of yourself and your circumstances. With greater clarity it may be possible for you to be with yourself differently.