Deborah Odell

Therapy is client centered, and works from a foundation of compassionate listening, in a non-judgmental environment. We will explore together what feels difficult for you—this will include a focus on understanding your past experiences, and how specific events in your life are affecting your ability to feel good and grow. But we will also pay attention to what’s here and now, how we are together in the room, in conversation. We will talk. As your psychotherapist, I will assist you in gaining valuable insights you need in order to move forward in your life.

Though my education began with an Honours BA in English Literature, upon graduating I chose to pursue a career as a professional actor. After 15 years in this industry I began searching for something else—something that held deeper significance for me on a personal level. And so I enrolled in the program at CTP in Toronto, in order to begin training as a psychotherapist.

Three years later all my pursuits were stopped when I suffered a brain aneurism. I was very fortunate—I was able to resume my therapist training studies after one year, and I have since achieved a full recovery. This experience was life-altering for me. It deepened my sense of both the frailty and resilience of the human body, and the human spirit. It led me to a much more real place in myself, where I could feel my feet more firmly on the ground. And I believe it helped me to grow my capacity for empathy. As a therapist, I draw on this invaluable experience in my evolving understanding of what it means to be human.

I offer an initial no fee 30 minute psychotherapy consultation. I believe this consult is helpful and important as it gives us a chance to get a sense of one another. We will use this time to briefly discuss what you are looking for, and I will also explain the process, how I work and what you might expect.

After the initial consult, new clients are accepted for regular, weekly sessions only, with the expectation that we are beginning a process together that will last for at least 3 months to 6 months. In most cases, clients find the benefits they gain from weekly therapy encourage them to continue. The consistency and regularity of weekly sessions are important in helping us gain momentum in your process, so that the time you spend in therapy may be of the highest benefit to you.

Due to the restrictions of COVID-19, all consults and sessions are currently being offered remotely – either online through a secure video platform, or on the phone.

If you’d like to schedule an initial consultation, please email me at deborah@deborahodell.com.