Mary Fulford-Winsor

As human beings, we are meant to be relational. To believe that we have to ‘work out’ and ‘deal with’ our feelings, thoughts and behaviours alone provides us with only one perspective. Ironically, it is often that same perspective that has gotten us into the confusing or stuck situations in which we now find ourselves. Guilt, shame and a mistaken belief that we have to manage our concerns alone cause many people to remain silent and suffering. Psychotherapy offers the opportunity to share your story and concerns: to provide a place for you to talk, be heard, reflect and respond. Together we will explore who you know yourself to be, how you are with others, and what life is like for you.

Individuals come to work on concerns such as anxiety and stress, depression, anger management, grief and loss, trauma, dissatisfaction with work, problems associated with addiction, eating disorders and workaholism. Sometimes these concerns can manifest in symptoms such as paranoia, obsessive thinking and/or impulsive actions, OCD, masochism, creative blocks, splitting and social isolation to name a few.

Couples benefit from therapy by getting help communicating with each other, working with trauma (in one or both partners), trust, lying, affairs, issues around differences in ethics and morality, navigating ‘open’ relationships, historic relational injuries (attachment traumas) and identifying recurring cycles of relating to each other. Couples can learn new ways of expressing emotions and thoughts, whether they be difficult or tender, often building a trust that their relationship is sustainable and that both partners are working to build a lasting, intimate bond with each other.

Artists and creative individuals can experience the act of creation as particular and demanding. Artists and arts’ workers need to exist in an environment that is both safe and conducive to exploration, to allow for creative happenings. Unfortunately, these environments are not always present. Sometimes we are complicit in establishing or maintaining conflicted environments. Some of us may believe we need this kind of stimulation to feel “alive” and “creative”. Bringing to consciousness conflicting dynamics within our interior and exterior worlds will not make you any less of an artist. You may just become less anxious and more productive. You will certainly become a better communicator both through your art, in your work and with others.

Sex and sexuality are often taboo subjects. Sometimes we know or suspect that there is a problem in us or our relationships but we don’t know how to get help. I work with sexual issues both as distinct concerns and also as one of the many facets that make up an individual or relationship. Psychodynamic psychotherapy can help with issues such as low or heightened libido/sex drive, erectile and orgasmic difficulties, vulvodynia, vaginismus, early ejaculation, relationships in which friendship is primary and sex has disappeared, fear of initiating, sexual trauma and many others.

Psychotherapy can bring about lasting change in people’s lives.

If you are ready to consider feeling and acting differently in your life, and with others, then this may be the time to explore psychotherapy.

How I Work

I am a psychodynamic psychotherapist. I incorporate relational, intersubjective and psychoanalytic modalities as a result of my training and experience. We will work together (relational) and when appropriate (intersubjective), we may explore an explanation (analytic) around what we are discussing, or find ourselves engaged in (psychodynamic).

In working with couples, I draw primarily from the EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) modality. We will be looking at the cycles that you, as a couple, are engaged in and explore the ways in which you are currently communicating. Together, we will learn what is happening and discover different ways that you can communicate with each other. EFT has been shown to be highly effective in short-term work (10-15 sessions depending upon a couple’s needs). In longer term work with couples there is more opportunity to explore interactions psychoanalytically.

Sexual and creative issues can be addressed in either individual or couples’ therapy environments.

While in treatment, if it is discovered that additional complementary therapies are requested or required (e.g. a couple would like to pursue individual therapies concurrently) referrals to other registered psychotherapists or regulated health/wellness practitioners will be provided.

About Me

I have been involved in psychotherapy for the past eighteen years and have been working with clients for the past eight. Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, I worked professionally in the visual and performing arts as an artist, designer, manager, mentor and teacher. I hold a BA from Trinity College, University of Toronto, MFA from Brandeis University, CTP diploma in Psychotherapy and have additional training in several modalities of Couples therapy including EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy, ICEEFT) and Sex Therapy (University of Guelph).

My initial discovery of psychotherapy was through couples’ therapy. I then went on to years of individual psychotherapy and training to become a psychotherapist. After working with individuals for many years, I circled back to my roots and trained to work as a couples’ therapist. As I continued in my work, I became increasingly aware that many of my clients had fundamental concerns/questions about themselves as sexual beings. This prompted me to seek additional training in sex therapy. While my inherent curiosity and deep experience in working with the role of the creative continues (with both artists and other individuals), the scope of my practice has grown to include working with individuals and couples with relationship and sexual concerns.

I believe that when working with the intricacies of human relationships and behaviour, a therapist needs to be constantly evolving and exploring other ways of conceiving what constitutes who and what we are. I want to keep myself ready to explore any and all of the facets that make up you when you walk through my door.

The First Step

I offer a ‘no fee’ Introductory session (60 mins) so that you can see if I am the right therapist for your needs. While ‘in person’ sessions at my downtown office are often the most beneficial, I also offer ‘phone and Skype sessions. Please call me at 416-528-8657 or email mary@fulford-winsor.com. Website: www.fulford-winsor.com.

If you would like more information or to schedule a ‘no fee’ Introductory Session, please contact me at 416-528-8657, or mary@fulford-winsor.com.