Registered Psychotherapist
RP, CTP Dipl
In an increasingly complex world it is evident that a one-size-fits-all approach is not enough to help with our own unique qualities and issues. It can be a challenge to know where to begin and how to understand our own individual needs in meeting these complexities as they unfold throughout our lives.
Gaining insight and understanding into our internal and external worlds is a meaningful start. When this happens, we can then begin to make more creative choices that reflect who we are and better acknowledge the person we imagine we can become.
You may begin therapy with specific issues in mind or maybe just an inkling that something is not quite right. It is also possible to begin therapy for one reason only to discover deeper underlying issues that were longing to be addressed.
Regardless of the path you find yourself on, I believe that meaningful therapy and self-understanding is not about tips, tricks, or strategies; it is not about masking a problem or symptom. It is about attempting to understand the underlying meaning behind or root causes of our feelings, thoughts, and the decisions we make. It is about the freedom to do things differently, in ways that are less costly to ourselves. We can’t always do this on our own. However, if we can allow ourselves to be listened to, we don’t have to.
As a classically trained musician, I have come to understand the importance of listening, collaboration, and attunement. I view this understanding as the basis from which I work as a therapist. Talking through our thoughts and feelings with someone who is actively listening can provide a sense of great relief. It can also be a unique opportunity to clarify our feelings, and to gain valuable insight into our thoughts and experiences. An attuned collaborator can help us see things in ourselves that we have been unable to recognize, so far.
I also appreciate how difficult it can be to recognize the unhelpful and unproductive templates or narratives we have developed over a lifetime. Whereas once they may have been necessary, they can, in the here and now, limit our understanding and imagination of what it means to live more freely, internally connected, and engaged in the world around us. Therapy can help tease apart the bad from the good, help us rework those patterns, and allow us to make choices in the present that can serve us better as we move forward.
Currently working as a Graduate Fellow at The Centre for Training in Psychotherapy (CTP), I am continuing to develop and broaden what it means to be a psychotherapist, and how I can best meet the needs of those who seek help.
I offer 50-minute sessions on a weekly basis. If you would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact me at mdptherapy@gmail.com.
1544 Danforth Ave, Unit 206, Toronto, ON, M4J 1N4