Dealing with life’s challenges can sometimes be overwhelming, leaving us confused and emotionally raw. The simplest tasks become monumental; we become easily frustrated and feel disconnected from friends and family. When this happens your ability to realize your own solutions may seem beyond reach. I can support you in reconnecting with your inner strengths to encourage solutions and experience fresh perspectives.

 

As a therapist, I believe each person is the expert in their own journey and I support this by creating a collaborative and safe space to share feelings and thoughts. I work with adults from all walks of life on issues such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationships, stress, and major life-changes. I can help you get from stuck to thriving.

 

I work using a humanistic approach including a psychodynamic method as well as attachment theory, experiential, narrative, solution-focused and Gestalt techniques.

 

For those in the health care sector, my experiences in my past career as a midwife have given me insight into the effects of on-call and shift work lifestyles and how they challenge well-being. I am also familiar with health care burnout and compassion fatigue that results from the constant emotional compartmentalization during stressful health care events.

 

This same midwifery experience has also provided me with an inside understanding of the challenges pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period place on families and individuals entering parenthood. Managing emotions that result from experiences such a difficult pregnancy, a birth that did not go as planned, or an exhausting postpartum can sometimes seem overwhelming. . Sometimes these periods come with mood changes that affect daily living, relationships, and contribute to mental health challenges. I can help.

 

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. I received my undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Midwifery at Laurentian University, and am in the process of completing my Master of Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. My practice is supervised by Phaedra Gryz, Registered Psychotherapist, and Zara Canteenwalla, Registered Social Worker.

 

If you believe that you or someone you know would benefit from working with me, please contact me by email at valbrechtcounselling@gmail.com.