"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change."
~ Carl R. Rogers
My Story
My journey began in a home where chaos was normal.
Here, I learned that expressions of anger and shame were acts of love. Growing up in this environment, I learned to embrace anger; it kept me safe and protected - and I depended on it for survival.
And it was isolating and exhausting. Often, the wash of loneliness that took over my body was paralyzing and scary.
My journey, which you can read in full here, was one of unmasking - of rediscovering who I was at my core, without all the layers of armour that had been so necessary during my childhood. And I found that the peace and joy I had sought for so long came from reclaiming the parts of myself I’d disowned - only then could I embody myself wholly.
So now I walk with others, on their journey of rediscovery and reclamation. Because we all deserve someone beside us who’s travelled the path before and can show us the way.
Using an integrative, trauma informed approach that incorporates both mind and body-based psychotherapies, I help clients go beyond recovery from what was to discovery of what’s possible.
My Philosophy
I believe that who we are is often buried underneath the patterns, habits, and ways of being in the world that we’ve had to take on in order to adapt to the world we live in. And that while that’s a great way to keep us safe and protected, we lose parts of ourselves along the way.
I also believe that doesn’t have to be that way. That we can reconnect to the things that make us us, and in so doing, move from just getting by, to living in wholeness as ourself.
My Why
Because change is possible and we all have the innate capacity within us to become who we want to be.
My Career
My personal experience with mental health inspired me to pursue a career in the field. I received my Master of Education in Counselling Psychology at the University of Toronto and am registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.
Since graduating, I have continued to deepen my knowledge base, and am trained in Emotion Focused Therapy, EMDR, Ego State Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, the Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Relational Life Therapy.
My Areas of Focus
Anxiety
Depression
Grief & Loss
People Pleasing
Relationship & Attachment Concerns
PTSD and complex PTSD
Contact Renee at renee@integrativepsychotherapytoronto.com, or book a complimentary phone consultation