Transformative Psychotherapy Unlocking Your Potential in Aurora

Life comes with twists and turns, and sometimes emotions can feel overwhelming—like a rollercoaster you can’t get off. Moments of panic, despair, or frustration seem to come out of nowhere, leaving you searching for stability. At Ontario Therapy, we recognize the unique emotional journeys each person travels. Located at 315 Wellington Street East in vibrant Aurora, we provide psychotherapy that meets you where you are and helps guide you to where you want to be.

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This is not about numbing your emotions or altering who you are. It’s about developing the skills to explore the full spectrum of your feelings without being overwhelmed by them.  

Psychotherapy at Ontario Therapy is not about suppressing your emotions or being told how to feel. It’s about empowering you with the skills and insights needed to master life’s challenges and deeply connect with your authentic self. We focus on helping you understand and navigate your emotions, leading to healthier relationships and a more fulfilled life.

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Embrace Your Emotional Journey—You Are Not Alone

Sarah's Search for Connection:

At 35, Sarah is yearning for more meaningful relationships in Markham. Despite her deep desire for calm and connection, she often pushes people away out of fear of vulnerability. This cycle leaves her lonely, questioning whether she will ever find contentment in her connections.

Marcus's Work-Life Imbalance:

A 28-year-old office manager in Vaughan, Marcus struggles to find balance. His high-stress environment causes sleepless nights, and his work demands often intrude on his personal life. His temper flares over minor issues, leading to tension with colleagues and loved ones. He fears that stress will eventually derail his career and personal life.

Emma's College Struggles:

At 19, living in Richmond Hill, Emma finds college overwhelming. The pressure of meeting deadlines and social expectations makes her feel paralyzed with anxiety. As assignments pile up, her self-doubt increases, and she feels she’s drowning under the weight of expectation. She wonders if she’ll ever be able to cope effectively.

Jordan's Quest for Identity:

At 22, Jordan struggles with self-identity while residing in Aurora. They constantly shift between different personas, trying to find where they fit in and unsure of their place in the world. This identity quest leaves them feeling lost and disconnected.

Lisa's Concerned Parenting:

Lisa, a mother of a 16-year-old in Stouffville, is anxious about her daughter's emotional wellbeing. She has watched her child battle with overwhelming emotions and struggles with whether she is providing the right support. Lisa wants her family to heal, hoping for harmony and understanding.

Sound familiar? Your emotional challenges are not weaknesses—they are avenues for growth and resilience.

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Take Control of Your Emotions: Start Your Psychotherapy Journey

Option 1: Psychotherapy Assessment and Consultation

Embark with a comprehensive 90-minute assessment tailored to ascertain whether psychotherapy suits you, coupled with a personalized treatment proposal.

What Happens Next?

  1.  Initial Evaluation: Grasping your emotional tendencies and suitability for psychotherapy
  2. Custom Plan: Devise an approach—individual, group, or both
  3. Skills Training: Methodical learning in psychotherapy strategies
  4. Daily Practice: Implement skills in real-life contexts with support
  5. Mastery and Application: Advanced integration and life-long utilization
  6. Ongoing Support: Continuous guidance and periodic check-ins as necessary
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Psychotherapy Crisis Resources

If you experience self-harm impulses or suicidal thoughts:

  • Emergency Assistance: 911
  • Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566
  • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (for under 18)
  • York Region Crisis Line: 1-855-310-2673
  • Text Support: Text HOME to 741741

Unraveling the Intricacies of Emotional Experiences

For many individuals, emotions can be unpredictable—rising quickly and overshadowing reason. If you find yourself unable to escape demanding emotions, it’s crucial to recognize these as signals for change and exploration.

What Emotional Experiences Unfold Like:

Peaks of Intensity: Emotions might seem magnified, feeling everything more acutely than those around you. Joy feels expansive, sadness weighs heavy, fear grips tightly, and anger consumes you.

Trigger Sensitivity: Feelings may arise swiftly, ignited by seemingly small incidents. Even everyday interactions might trigger overwhelming responses, transforming ordinary moments into emotional events.

Persistent Effects: When emotional upheaval occurs, the aftereffects can linger long after the event has passed. Discomfort from a disagreement may cloud days; rejection can shake confidence indefinitely.

Reactive Coping: In an attempt to escape distress, impulsive actions might follow. These behaviors can include arguments, withdrawal, or self-isolation that seem like solutions but often add to the challenge.

Enhanced Sensitivity: Emotional experiences can become more intense during periods of stress, sleep deprivation, or physical changes, increasing daily demands.

Why Psychotherapy Makes a Difference

Unlike traditional methods that may not address real-time emotional management, psychotherapy equips you with personalized tools to handle life’s ups and downs while promoting emotional wellness.

Overcoming Therapy Limitations:

Day-to-Day Emotional Management: While insights are valuable, the ability to navigate emotions during heightened moments makes psychotherapy transformative.

Concrete Skill Development: Instead of merely understanding emotions, psychotherapy focuses on practical techniques for real-life application, offering solutions that bridge understanding and action.

Flexible and Personalized Support: At Ontario Therapy, we understand the need for support tailored to personal battles, providing a unique approach to each therapeutic session.

Psychotherapy can help reshape emotional experiences, guiding them into empowering tools.

Are you ready to uncover the strength within your emotions? Reach out to Ontario Therapy in Aurora to start this transformative journey. Call us today or visit us at 315 Wellington Street East to schedule your first session and embark on your path to emotional resilience.

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The Power of Psychotherapy: Transform Your Emotional Health in Aurora, Ontario

Understanding Psychotherapy – A Path to Emotional Wellness

Psychotherapy isn’t just about understanding your past—it’s about equipping you with the tools to lead a balanced and fulfilling life by addressing mental health challenges from their roots.

Core Psychotherapy Concepts:

Self-awareness: Gaining insight into your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors

Exploration: Unpacking the layers of experiences that shape your current patterns

Healing: Working through past traumas and emotional wounds

Growth: Developing new perspectives and healthier coping mechanisms

Integration: Harmonizing different aspects of your personality and experiences

Authenticity: Living true to your values and self beyond past restrictions

What This Looks Like in Practice: Instead of feeling stuck in repetitive emotional or behavioral patterns, psychotherapy empowers you to think: “I recognize that my reactions stem from past experiences. I am now choosing to heal and respond in a way that aligns with my true self.”

Building Resilience – Weathering Life’s Challenges with Strength

When life presents hurdles, your goal isn’t only to overcome them but to emerge more resilient and equipped for future obstacles.

Resilience-Building Techniques:

Mindfulness: Anchoring yourself in the present to handle stress better
Cognitive Reframing: Shifting your perspective to view challenges positively
Emotional Support: Utilizing your network and creating new support systems
Problem-Solving: Approaching crises with constructive strategies

Acceptance Practices:

Embracing reality: Acknowledging situations and emotions without resistance
Distress tolerance: Increasing capacity to endure and learn from uncomfortable emotions
Adaptive actions: Choosing responsive actions over reactive ones
What This Prevents: Feelings of helplessness, emotional outbursts, relationship breakdowns, self-destructive coping, avoidance of conflicts, quitting under pressure, isolating from support systems.

Developing Emotion Regulation – Navigate Your Emotional World

Psychotherapy aids you in navigating your complex emotional landscape with greater understanding and mastery.

Emotion Regulation Strategies:

Emotion identification: Understanding and naming your emotions accurately
Purpose of emotions: Recognizing the messages within emotional experiences
Blocking barriers: Identifying and removing obstacles to emotional clarity
Creating stability: Lifestyle factors that enhance emotional resilience
Mindful actions: Acting thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively
Empowerment activities: Building confidence through purposeful actions

Fostering Positive Emotions:

Joyful experiences: Regularly engaging in activities that bring happiness
Skill-building: Pursuing challenges that enhance your competence
Value-driven living: Aligning your endeavors with core personal values
What This Creates: Emotional predictability, quicker recovery from distress, values-based decision making, enriched relationships, and heightened self-worth.

 Enhancing Interpersonal Skills – Transformative Relationships

Strong, healthy relationships rely on effective communication and emotional intelligence—psychotherapy equips you with the skills to achieve both.

Interpersonal Skills Enhancement:

Effective communication: Articulating needs and listening actively
Emotional validation: Recognizing and responding empathically to others’ feelings
Mutual respect: Cultivating self-respect and respecting others
Conflict resolution: Navigating disagreements without emotional escalation

Strengthening Connections:

Identifying triggers: Recognizing what sparks interpersonal conflicts
Setting boundaries: Communicating limits clearly and empathetically
Repairing bonds: Healing relationships strained by past conflicts
Secure attachment: Building connections based on understanding and support
What This Improves: Reduced relationship conflict, enhanced communication, stronger emotional bonds, healthier family dynamics, productive work relationships.

Your Psychotherapy Specialist in Aurora with Expertise and Empathy

Choosing to specialize in psychotherapy wasn’t incidental. Witnessing the recurring cycle of misunderstanding and mistreatment faced by those with emotional struggles drove my quest for comprehensive psychotherapy training.

Real-World Psychotherapy Expertise:

Adolescent therapy – guiding teens through developmental challenges

Anxiety treatment – managing pervasive worries and fears

Trauma recovery – supportive healing from past traumas

Eating disorder therapy – addressing complex body image issues

Private practice focus – personalized, empathetic psychotherapy

My personal experiences with emotional challenges deepen my connection with clients. This combination of lived experience and specialized training enables me to facilitate healing with authenticity and understanding.

Psychotherapy in Downtown Aurora - Accessible and Nurturing

Situated in the heart of Aurora, our therapy space fosters a calm and supportive environment for psychotherapy—designed to enhance comfort and accessibility.

Why Our Location Supports Psychotherapy:

Tranquil setting – conducive for self-reflection and emotional work
Flexible seating arrangements – fostering relaxed and open sessions
Abundant natural light – promoting positivity and focus
Private and soundproof – ensuring confidentiality and trust
Easy access – minimizing logistical stress

Convenient for Aurora Residents:

Close proximity to Aurora GO Station – simplifying commute
Ample parking options – accessible street and lot parking
Ground level entry – easy access without added stress
Nearby amenities – cafes for reflection and parks like Lambert Willson Park for mindfulness

Serving the Aurora Community:

From Newmarket: 10 minutes south via Highway 404
From Richmond Hill: 15 minutes north, providing easy access for surrounding areas
From King City: 20 minutes east, offering support for broader communities
From Stouffville: 15 minutes west, covering eastern York region needs

Virtual Psychotherapy Across Ontario - Continuous Support Anywhere

Psychotherapy can be equally transformative through virtual sessions, allowing you to engage in therapy within the comfort of your own environment.

Virtual Psychotherapy Advantages:

Real-world integration – apply learning directly in your familiar space
Stress-free accessibility – avoiding potentially destabilizing travel
Immediate strategy application – using familiar items and settings during sessions
Flexibility in session dynamics – move or shift positions based on comfort
Protective privacy – discreet access without having to attend physically

Virtual Adaptations for Psychotherapy:

Digital resources – downloadable guides and exercises
Immediate support – integration of skills in real-time situations
Visual aids – enhancing comprehension through visuals and demonstrations online
Active coaching – ongoing support through text or call between sessions
Online group interactions – virtual group sessions for peer support and skill sharing

Technology Designed for Flexibility:

User-friendly platforms – accommodating emotional states
Multiple communication modes – choosing between video, phone, or text
Recordable sessions – (with consent) revisiting explanations as needed
Emergency protocols – ensuring safety during online crises
Backup options – maintaining connection through alternative means

Embark on Your Psychotherapy Journey: From Understanding to Transformation

Initial Evaluation and Planning (Sessions 1-3)

Psychotherapy starts by exploring your emotional landscape and understanding the factors that contribute to your current psychological state.

Psychotherapy Evaluation Consists Of:

Emotional patterns: Tracing when and why specific emotions emerge
Coping evaluation: Reviewing current strategies, both healthy and maladaptive
Trigger recognition: Pinpointing specific causes of emotional upheaval
Relationship patterns: Assessing interpersonal dynamics affected by emotions
Treatment goals: Defining your emotional health objectives
Safety planning: Establishing strategies for immediate support if needed

Safety and Planning:

Emotional support toolkit: Custom list of coping resources for difficult times
Activation of support systems: Identifying contacts for crisis management
Analyzing behaviors: Understanding patterns leading to negative outcomes
Commitment to growth: Prioritizing skill acquisition over discussion alone

Skills Development Phase (Sessions 4-20)

The core of psychotherapy involves learning new coping skills, with an emphasis on personal application and growth.

Skills Development Structure:

Foundational self-awareness: 3-4 sessions for insight-building
Resilience practices: 4-5 sessions of skill application in real-time
Emotional challenges: 5-6 sessions to refine emotional understanding
Relational enhancements: 4-5 sessions for improving interpersonal interactions

Between-Session Practice:

Emotional tracking: Documenting feelings and responses
Guided exercises: Applying learned skills in daily life
Supportive coaching: Check-ins to assist skill implementation
Skill generalization: Adapting psychotherapy techniques across life domains

Advanced Integration (Sessions 21+)

After mastering essential skills, psychotherapy shifts focus to deeper applications and seamless incorporation into daily routines.

Advanced Focus Areas:

Complex issues: Navigating multi-faceted emotional situations with skill
Relational healing: Resolving past conflicts impacting relationships
Values alignment: Ensuring life choices resonate with personal values
Trauma challenges: Safely processing past traumatic experiences
Personal identity: Understanding self beyond emotional reactions
Consistent practices: Maintaining skills through varying life demands

Ongoing Support and Growth

Psychotherapy is typically long-term, with continuous benefits from skill refreshers as life evolves.

Long-term Support Includes:

Regular progress evaluations: Periodic adjustments and skill reinforcement
Trigger management refreshers: Intensive support during turbulent times
Family relations therapy: Applying principles to family dynamics
Transition adjustments: Utilization of skills during life changes
Deepened mindfulness: Strengthening ongoing emotional balance

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Addressing Your Concerns About Psychotherapy

 “I’ve been to therapy before but didn’t see results—what makes psychotherapy different?”

Psychotherapy delves into root causes, providing tangible tools for emotional and mental evolution. This approach focuses on equipping you with practical skills rather than solely delving into emotional narratives.

“I’m afraid psychotherapy will change who I am.”

Psychotherapy doesn’t aim to alter your inherent self; it helps you harness your authentic emotions without being overwhelmed. Most find they embrace their emotions more fully when they’re empowered to navigate them effectively.

“What if I’m too emotional for psychotherapy?”

Psychotherapy is designed for individuals experiencing intense emotions. Each skill is taught with understanding and reinforcement—your emotional intensity is what psychotherapy targets effectively.

“How long does psychotherapy typically last?”

While it often extends beyond some therapy types, many experience improvement within months. Skills gained are lifelong assets, offering lasting benefits.

“What if my family is unsupportive of my psychotherapy?”

Family education can be incorporated into therapy, facilitating understanding of emotional challenges and fostering supportive environments.

“Can psychotherapy help with other mental health conditions?”

Psychotherapy is beneficial across a spectrum of conditions, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It complements other treatments and enhances overall well-being.

“Will I need medication along with psychotherapy?”

Medication can assist some, but psychotherapy is effective with or without it. Many find a reduced need for medication as psychotherapy progresses.

“I’m concerned people will judge me for seeking therapy.”

Seeking support is a step towards well-being, not a weakness. Emotional challenges are common, and psychotherapy provides indispensable tools for managing life’s spectrum of experiences.

“What happens if I experience a crisis outside therapy?”

Psychotherapy includes planning for emergencies, offering skills and protocols for between-session support, ensuring preparedness for emotional crises.

“Is psychotherapy right for my needs?”

If you experience intense emotions, engage in impulsive behaviors, or find emotions disrupt your life, psychotherapy could be a suitable approach.

Contact Ontario Therapy:

Begin your transformative journey towards emotional health. Reach out to explore psychotherapy a short drive away from Aurora – in Newmarket. Call us at (647) 855-0530 or visit our website to schedule a consultation.

Immediate Emotional Relief with Grounding Techniques

When emotions soar to crisis levels (8/10 or higher), grounding techniques can quickly restore your sense of balance within 5-10 minutes. These strategies work by reconnecting you with your immediate environment, helping to interrupt and manage the emotional crisis state. They’re designed for moments when you need instant relief, and other skills feel out of reach.

            G – Grounding through the Senses:

  • Splash cold water on your face and wrists (activates calming signals)
  • Focus on physical sensations (texture of a soft cloth, warmth of sunlight)
  • Sip on a soothing tea or cold water to recalibrate

    I – Intense Physical Movement:
  • Engage in a 2-3 minute burst of activity (running in place, dancing)
  • Walk briskly around your block if you’re able to step outside
  • Jumping jacks or brisk housework can redirect your focus

    B – Breathing Beyond Comfort:
  • Extend your exhale longer than your inhale (try 4 counts in, 6 counts out)
  • Breathe deeply into your abdomen, not your chest
  • Use this technique continuously for 5-10 minutes to regain calm

    R – Releasing Tension Consciously:
  • Tense major muscle groups for 5 seconds, then release—shoulders, arms, legs
  • Feel the difference between tension and the resulting relaxation
  • Practice regularly to enhance body awareness and relaxation

Why Grounding Techniques Work: These methods engage your senses and body, channeling your focus in tangible, calming directions. They stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, providing faster relief than introspection or mindfulness alone during crises.

When to Use Grounding: Employ these methods when emotions peak at 8/10 or higher, when you have impulses to react destructively, are overwhelmed, before significant conversations, or whenever rapid emotional adjustment is needed.

After Grounding: Once emotional intensity subsides to 6/10 or below, employ other psychotherapy techniques like mindfulness or emotional insight for more comprehensive support.

Customized Psychotherapy Programs and Support Services

Psychotherapy with Skill Integration

Intensive psychotherapy sessions personalized with skill development for accelerated personal growth.

Program Elements:

  •  Weekly individual psychotherapy sessions (75 minutes)
  • Text-based support between sessions for real-time application
  • Emergency phone support for emotional crises
  • Tailored practice exercises for personal triggers
  • Constructive feedback as you navigate daily challenges

Adolescent Psychotherapy Program

Specialized psychotherapy for teenagers (ages 14-18) dealing with emotional, social, or developmental challenges.

Features for Teens:

  • Skill adaptation for developmental appropriateness
  • Family involvement and guidance for parents
  • School coordination for consistent emotional support
  • Navigational skills for social media and technology use
  • Focus on identity development during critical adolescent stages
  • Crisis plans for handling self-destructive thoughts

Family and Couples Therapy

Applying psychotherapy principles to enhance family dynamics and romantic relationships impacted by emotional challenges.

Relationship Support Services:

  • Couples therapy focusing on emotional skills for both partners
  • Educational sessions for families to foster understanding
  • Enhanced communication techniques underpinned by psychotherapy principles
  • Resolving conflicts through emotional understanding
  • Establishing boundaries while preserving relationships
  • Healing exercises for relationships affected by emotional crises

Investing in Your Emotional Well-Being

Psychotherapy Services:

  •  Initial assessment and planning (75 minutes): $200
  • Individual psychotherapy sessions (60 minutes): $180-200
  • Quick support sessions (30 minutes): $100
  • Educational sessions for families (60 minutes): $150

Accessibility and Sliding Scale:
We recognize that emotional regulation can affect job stability and finances:

  • Sliding scale fees available
  • Payment plans for intensive programs
  • Direct billing and extended health benefits accepted

Psychotherapy Value Proposition:
Investing in psychotherapy enriches your life profoundly. Clients often observe that mastering emotional management:

  •  Bolsters work efficiency and career resilience
  • Enriches relationships across all spheres
  • Decreases crisis-induced expenses (ER visits, impulsive outlays, job turnovers)
  • Enhances life fulfillment and self-efficacy
  • Precludes the necessity for more intensive future mental health interventions

Complete FAQ: Your Psychotherapy Questions Answered

Whereas traditional therapy may focus extensively on past experiences, psychotherapy integrates actionable strategies for real-time emotional management. It presumes the necessity of mastering these skills for effective processing of foundational issues.

Certainly. Psychotherapy extends its efficacy to treat depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use disorders, ADHD, and broader emotional regulation needs.

Initial improvements typically appear within 2-3 months, with significant changes manifesting in 6-12 months. Skills acquired continue to mature over the years with continual practice.

While group therapy can be highly beneficial for communal support and additional practice, individual sessions suffice when personal comfort with group settings is low.

We can initiate with individual sessions to build your skills and confidence, allowing customization as readiness for group work develops.

Psychotherapy effectively provides alternative coping mechanisms and addresses emotional turmoil that often underlies self-harming behaviors.

Your sensitivity, valued as an asset, is celebrated through psychotherapy. The approach refines your emotional management without diminishing your inherent traits, often enhancing authenticity.

While it incorporates mindfulness, psychotherapy also encompasses a comprehensive suite of skills tailored for distress management, emotion regulation, and interpersonal efficacy.

Absolutely, family education in psychotherapy is advantageous, fostering a collective understanding that enriches the family system.

Access to psychotherapy is supported through variable pricing, payment options, and prioritization guidance for beneficial elements within your budget. Many extended health plans cover practices under psychotherapy.

Primary Service Areas

King City

Vaughan

Richmond Hill

Aurora

Nobleton

Schomberg

Bolton

Thornhill

Regional Services

Southlake Regional Health Centre – crisis support and psychiatric coordination

York Region District School Board – school-based emotional support

Local family physicians – medication coordination when appropriate

Community mental health services – integrated care planning

Helpful Resources

Contact

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Investment in Your Emotional Freedom ​

Individual DBT Therapy:

 DBT assessment and treatment planning (75 minutes): $200

Individual DBT sessions (60 minutes): $180-200

Crisis coaching sessions (30 minutes): $100

Family education sessions (60 minutes): $150

Virtual Psychotherapy Across Ontario

Comprehensive psychotherapy via secure video consultations for individuals seeking to manage emotional intensity,
wherever local specialized therapies might not be obtainable.

Transform Your Emotional Experience

Your emotions might feel like relentless storms, sweeping through every aspect of your life. It’s possible you think you’re seen as “too much,” unable to maintain stable relationships, or forever at the whim of your emotional gales.

What if that’s not the case? Could your emotional sensitivity be your greatest strength, awaiting proper guidance? Maybe this same sensitivity that weighs heavily carries immense potential for empathy, creativity, and profound connection?

At Ontario Therapy in Aurora, we’ve witnessed the remarkable transformation of many who harness this sensitivity, not by numbing it, but by learning the art of navigating its intensity.

What if you view your emotional depth not as a liability but a unique gift demanding respect and mastery? Psychotherapy offers that essential training.

Consider the teenager finding purpose in peer support after moving beyond self-destructive habits. The individual repurposing intense anger into passionate advocacy. Or someone who has stepped out from the shadows of relationship anxieties to embrace a fulfilling partnership.

They didn’t lose their emotions—they learned to guide them. They discovered that what seemed like a burden was actually their strongest asset.

Psychotherapy invites you to redefine who you are, no longer dictated by emotional turmoil. Retain your compassionate core while forging an emotionally intelligent mind.

Your emotions are like ever-changing weather, but you can learn to forecast and navigate them with skill. Become the meteorologist of your life—fully experiencing each storm and sunshine, yet equipped, informed, and prepared.

We have open arms and a comfortable space waiting for you in Aurora. Virtual options are ready whenever you are. Most importantly, someone well-versed in both emotional science and the real weight of emotional intensity is eager to help you master life-long skills.

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Get in touch with us

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Take the courageous step today:

Ontario Therapy – Newmarket
171 Main Street South
Newmarket, ON L3Y 4Z1

Offering expert psychotherapy to Aurora, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, King City, Nobleton, Schomberg, Bolton, Thornhill, and communities throughout Ontario. We provide sliding scale fees, critical support, and bespoke emotional training that values your sensitivity while empowering your fortitude.

  • Monday-Thursday: 8 AM – 8 PM
  • Friday: 8 AM – 6 PM
  • Sunday: By appointment for psychotherapy crisis support

24/7  crisis support for enrolled clients via text message is always accessible.