Our Approach
We believe therapy should fit the person because we are all unique. Therapy is not a cookie-cutter solution. We provide an integrated approach, utilizing both Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Narrative therapeutic approaches. In the context of supporting people living with OCD struggles, we provide evidence based and intensive treatment using Exposure Response Prevention strategies.
We Care About OCD
Living a life where you're dealing with anxiety alongside symptoms of obsessions and compulsions can be quite scary.
Navigating these experiences can become less intimidating when we gain an understanding of what we're going through and we have the support to take deliberate steps towards addressing it.
There may be instances where those in your life don't fully understand what you are going through, leading you to keep your intrusive thoughts and compulsive urges to yourself.
It's important to know that you're not alone, as these symptoms are more common than you might realize.
We specialize in offering evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Response Prevention, and we provide intensive OCD sessions to assist individuals who are feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or uncertain while dealing with issues related to OCD, anxiety, and phobias.
Sometimes, these challenges are intertwined with other difficult situations you're working through, such as recovering from traumatic experiences, managing social anxiety, or coping with panic attacks.
By providing thoughtful, collaborative services rooted in compassion, humility and respect, our hope is to help you build the confidence and the strategies to combat your inner critic in the face of personal and societal adversity. Reach out to Pothos today for a free phone consultation.
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care shifts the focus of "what is wrong with me?" to "what happened to me".
It helps us to understand that we have experiences, we don't need to be defined by our experiences.
Trauma-informed care seeks to recognize the widespread impact of trauma, then to understand and explore the various paths for recovery.
We collaborate with you to make meaningful decisions about your care with transparency, humility and integrity, along a journey of building genuine trust.
We recognize, highlight and celebrate the strengths, resiliencies, and courageousness people hold.
Anti-Oppressive Practice
Anti-Oppressive Practice (AOP) is one form of social justice oriented social work.
Taking this approach to therapy, we recognize the context of multiple oppressions on mulitple fronts and the growing need for the fundamental
re-organization of all levels of society.
There are many core insights held by the AOP perspective, notably that our everyday experience is shaped by multiple historic
and structural injustices, and that collaborative approaches between therapists and those they support are necessary towards
the journey of empowerment and change.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy is a collaborative, non-judgmental approach to counselling that centres people as the experts in their own lives.
People are not defined by their problems.
Everyone carries skills, abilities, beliefs, values, and commitments that can empower them to change their relationship with the challenges influencing their lives.
This approach to therapy respects the broader context of people's lives, particularly in the various dimensions of diversity - including class, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, and ability
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT offers a "here and now" approach to therapy that has the ability to help people empower change within their
lives even when things seem hopeless and scary.
It helps us to explore the different ways we perceive and interpret meaning of our life experiences, or the lens
through which we see the world, and enables us to renegotiate a healthier relationship with the emotions we feel.
CBT sets out to provide the tools that can help folks shape this lens in their journey toward long term healing.
Sometimes we end up responding to our emotions in ways that may not always be in our best, long term interests or in ways that don't respect
our own resiliency, qualities and values.
When combined, Cognitive Behavioural and Narrative Therapy can work well together; it helps us to develop a new,
self-respecting, healthy, and balanced view of ourselves, our past, and our current life situations.
"The person is not the problem; the problem is the problem"
"Knowing oneself comes from attending, with compassionate curiosity to what is happening within"
"Healing doesn't mean the damage never existed; it means the damage no longer controls our lives"
"I can be changed by what happens to me. But, I refuse to be reduced by it"
"There is more to the surface than what our eyes can see"
"Trauma is not what happens to you; trauma is what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you"
"...quiet isn't always peace, and the norms and notions of what just is, isn't always justice"
Let's Connect
We know that finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming. If you're struggling with navigating various difficulties and stressors in your life and want support finding a different path, please reach out to us so we can book a brief call.
During this informal conversation, we can discuss your needs and practical considerations (such as fees, timing of sessions etc.) and determine together whether Pothos is the right fit for you moving forward.
Based on our discussion, if we discover that the fit isn't right, we can provide suggestions for alternative options and considerations.