(he/him)
Registered Psychotherapist
RP, CTP Dipl
Finding the right therapist in a sea of possibilities can feel daunting. To help with your search, I hope to provide an initial glimpse of how I understand the work of therapy.
Life’s challenges can leave us feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected. In difficult times, we may try to push away our emotions to escape our circumstances. This might offer temporary relief, but unresolved issues often resurface as anxiety, depression, or confusion—signals that something within us needs attention and care.
Therapy is about getting more in sync with yourself. In sessions, you talk about what is happening for you, and we pay attention to the different layers of your experience: your emotions, thoughts, memories and bodily sensations. We especially make room for those experiences that feel difficult to approach. Expressing – and listening to – your many feelings can help you to “connect the dots” and find greater understanding, meaning and direction in life.
Therapy occurs in a relationship unlike any other. Unlike meditation, you aren’t just doing this by yourself. I am here too, listening with curiosity and helping to facilitate the process. I hope to provide a safe, “low risk” space to process aspects of life that are difficult to talk about in your everyday, regular relationships. Sometimes exploring the therapeutic relationship itself can also be a significant catalyst for understanding yourself.
Therapy takes time and effort, and the rewards can be profound. Often new clients feel some relief relatively quickly, but the longer term benefits of therapy take time. Psychotherapy is more like physiotherapy than massage therapy; it is an active process that requires active participation.
Our work begins with a free initial consultation. This is a chance for you to share what’s bringing you to therapy and ask any questions you may have about the process. It’s also an opportunity for us to see if we’re a good fit for working together.
If we decide to move forward, we’ll schedule your first full session. In this meeting, I’ll learn more about you—your history, relationships, and personal experiences. This structured beginning helps us establish a strong foundation for our work together.
As therapy continues, our sessions will follow what’s on your mind. It’s completely normal to feel nervous or unsure about opening up. I aim to create an atmosphere where you feel comfortable expressing yourself authentically. If you ever feel stuck, I’m here to gently support and guide the conversation.
Therapy is a deeply personal process, and finding the right therapist is important. Committing to an initial 10-session trial period allows us to explore whether we work well together. During this time, you can get a feel for my approach, and I can develop a clearer understanding of your needs. We’ll check in about how things are going, and if it turns out that another therapist may be a better fit, I’ll be happy to provide referrals or guidance.
My practice is rooted in psychodynamic psychotherapy, an approach that considers how our deeper (and often unconscious) dilemmas influence our feelings, thoughts and relational patterns. I also have an interest in mindfulness and contemplative practice, believing that each person’s precious life is in itself a meditation.
“Even things that seem completely forgotten are present somehow and somewhere.”
Sigmund Freud, founder of psychoanalysis
“One of the few blessings of living in an age of anxiety is that we are forced to become aware of ourselves.”
Rollo May, existential psychologist
“What you resist not only persists, but will grow in size.”
Carl Jung, founder of analytical psychology
“You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.”
Brené Brown, academic and author
“Our neurosis and our wisdom are made out of the same material.”
Pema Chödrön, Buddhist nun and author
“Express yourself. Don’t repress yourself.”
Madonna, pop star
Email me at kenpeters.psychotherapist@gmail.com to arrange an initial 20 minute consultation at no cost.
Carlton & Jarvis, Toronto, ON, M5A 4K3