Our Approach

Treatment Areas

We are specialized in treating youth (16+) and adults looking for help coping with:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Stress Management
  • Self-development
  • Addictions
  • Anger Management
  • Insomnia
  • Loss and/or grief
  • Relationship Concerns
  • School or Work Related Difficulties
  • Self-esteem Concerns
  • Trauma
  • Family Dynamics/Family of Origin Issues
  • Communication Difficulties, Boundary Setting
  • Life Transitions
  • Stress

Therapeutic Approach

Kellye Woods is a Registered Social Worker offering psychotherapy and counselling. She primarily utilizes the following approaches (click to read more about each approach).

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

This is an extensively researched psychotherapy that helps clients recover from trauma and other distressing life events. The premise of this therapy is that adverse experiences that have not been fully processed by the brain, can cause disruption and problems in our present day lives.

EMDR uses the brains natural tendency towards healing to process stuck memories or events that cause disruptions in day to day living. EMDR therapy can be used to treat past or recent trauma, anxiety/panic, depression, pain conditions, grief and loss, addictions, stress, adverse experiences and much more.

The dual attention stimuli used in EMDR can utilize the system in your brain that allows the experience to get unstuck and stored in the brain in a more adaptive way (Shapiro, 2017), rather than experiencing the same high levels of distress or discomfort as the original moment. 

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Mindfulness is a state of being that breaks us out of the trance of automatic pilot which can make us absent psychologically in our day to day lives. The sacred art of of pausing and tuning into what is truly happening in the moment can result in many benefits for our overall well-being. Research has shown how it can help deal with emotional stress, mental health, physical pain conditions and improve our relationships. Furthermore recent studies are displaying how regular mindfulness practices can actually make positive physiological changes to our brains as indicated through research around neuroplasticity. 

Research has shown mindfulness to be effective in enhancing management of anxious and depressed thoughts, thereby reducing symptoms. Many clients have acknowledged the transformative effects this practice has had on enhancing their personal wellbeing and improving their lives. 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

This model works by promoting understanding of how your internal world (sensations, emotions, thoughts, urges) and behaviour impact your wellbeing and relationships, and assists in building a more compassionate relationship with yourself and others by connecting you to your values.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

This is a short-term, goal-oriented therapy. Through scientific research, CBT has been shown to be highly effective for the treatment of many mental health problems. These include depression, anxiety, anger, interpersonal issues, and couples conflicts. Moreover, there are also specific CBT treatments for insomnia (CBT-I) and trauma (CPT).

In CBT, the therapist acts as a coach, teaching helpful strategies that the client can practice between sessions. As a result, clients learn how to overcome their difficulties by changing some of their perspectives, behaviours, and emotional responses.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

This model works to challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs related to traumatic or negative life experiences. In so doing, new understanding and conceptualization of the traumatic event occurs so that it reduces its ongoing negative effects on current life.

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Assessment

The assessment process will identify therapeutic goals and will assist us in collaboratively deciding upon a treatment plan that best fits your needs. Psychotherapy and counselling services will be focused on helping you heal from the past while learning new ways of coping with physical, emotional and mental distress in the present. 

How Our Therapy Works 

We utilize a 3-step process to assist you in enhancing your personal wellbeing. 

  1. In the initial assessment session we learn about your history, symptoms and current situation to understand your reasons for seeking therapy as well as identify your treatment goals.
  2. We develop a personal plan based on your goals. We assist you in learning new skills and tools to help bring greater balance to your life. We help you to process the events that are causing your current symptoms.
  3. We help you find greater calm and peace. With the right tools we work alongside you to thrive, free from the pain of the past.

We provide a safe and non-judgemental space for your treatment journey. We often start with weekly or bi-weekly sessions to promote symptom relief and improvements in your coping. As you develop the tools and resources to live the life you want for yourself, we can hold sessions less frequently or as needed for maintenance of your gains.

Please contact us for more information or to get started.