Have you ever felt the need to talk to somebody who understands how you feel, without any impositions? Who listens to you in a supportive way, without judging you or trying to tell you how you should feel? Who helps you find your own answers and solutions according to your own needs and wants?

Friends and family are an amazing support when you feel down or confused; when you need to make an important decision, or when you just need to talk. However, sometimes we need a third person who can help us bring a different perspective, explore different options and scenarios, and come up with specific strategies to achieve our goals, at our own pace, and whatever our goals may be…

In general, counselling aims to help you “find solutions and make choices through [the] exploration of options, identification of strengths and needs, locating information and providing resources, and promoting a variety of coping strategies” (Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, or OCSWSSW) while Psychotherapy aims to help you address difficulties that could be of a more emotional nature “for the purposes of promoting positive personal growth and development” (OCSWSSW).

Whatever form of support you need, what it is important to know is that both modalities offer a very empowering experience which can help you not only achieve your goals, but also gain more clarity and emotional wellbeing. They can also help you reframe your story, finding different narratives to your experiences; narratives that transform painful experiences into stories of strength and resilience as you approach them from a different perspective.

Counselling and Psychotherapy will help you find the tools to deal with whatever difficulties you may be experiencing, whether they are of a personal, interpersonal, emotional, or professional matter. You can go as deep as you want, share whatever you want to share, and go at your own pace. 

Marialuisa is an experienced Registered Social Worker who holds a Master degree by the University of Toronto. She has extensive experience providing individual, family, group and couples counselling and psychotherapy to individuals dealing with difficulties in areas such as:

Depression

Anxiety

Stress

Trauma

Abuse and domestic violence

Attachment, relational and communication difficulties

Self-confidence and self-esteem

Loss and grief

Personal and career development

Problematic video gaming/gambling 

She offers empathetic, gentle, yet empowering support, encouraging all individuals to go inside to find their own answers, follow their own dreams and become their own agents of change. She uses evidence-based/scientific approaches that have proven high efficacy in facilitating positive change such as: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness Meditation.

How does it work?

Marialuisa offers services to individuals 16 years and older, in the form of individual, couples or family therapy. Mindfulness meditation sessions are also offered for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and stress. Youth ages 15 to 17 are welcome as long as they themselves identify a need for the services, and fully consent to participate.

The process usually starts with a brief consultation over the phone or in person to determine whether counselling/psychotherapy is for you. Counselling/psychotherapy works best when the individual identifies a need to work on a specific area.

If you determine that you want to give it a try, then a 90 minute assessment session is scheduled. During this session you will be given some forms and asked questions that will help Marialuisa know you better and later design a treatment plan that will be tailored to your own needs and goals. Subsequent sessions have a duration of 60 minutes.

Couples and family sessions have a duration of 90 minutes. The initial assessment includes at least three sessions: a 90 minute session with both partners, or family members, plus an individual session of 60 minutes with each individual.

The duration of the treatment can last as long as you want. Scientific studies have shown that even one session can facilitate improvement, however, in order to obtain better results, it is recommended to attend at least four sessions. However, this is your choice. You can have as many sessions as you want. If at any moment you decide to stop, have a break… or after having taken a break, you decide to resume your counselling/psychotherapy process, you can just openly share it without any fear or concern. This is your journey, and you are in charge!  

Assessment sessions – 90 minutes, $200 per session

Individual sessions – 60 minutes, $135 per session

Couples and family sessions – 90 minutes, $200 per session

Most insurance companies cover Social Work Services. Please contact your insurance company to find out more information. Sessions are paid in full by cash, e-transfer or PayPal. An official receipt will be issued so you can submit it and be reimbursed.

Please note that we do not offer crisis counselling . If you find yourself going through a crisis which requires immediate attention, for example, if your safety or life is at risk, if you are concerned about hurting yourself or others, or a child may be at risk, please call 911, go to your nearest hospital, or to your nearest police station.

You can also contact:

The Assaulted Women’s Helpline:

416-364-4144

http://www.awhl.org

The Distress Line in Toronto:

416-408-4357

www.torontodistresscentre.com

Spectra Brampton and Mississauga

905.459.7777

www.spectrahelpline.org

Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), Emergency Department:

416-979-6885, http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/care_program_and_services/Emergency_Department/Pages/guide_emergency_service.aspx

Children’s Aid Society of Toronto:

416-924-4640

http://www.torontocas.ca/

Peel Children’s Aid

905-363-6131

http://www.peelcas.org

You can also call 211, or visit https://211ontario.ca to find other resources 

Unfortunately, at this moment we do not have the capacity to provide counselling/psychotherapy for:

Substance addictions (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.)

Children and adolescents younger than 14 years old

Anger management or PAR (Partner Assault Response)

Severe medically untreated mental health conditions

Learning disabilities

We are not able to provide psychological assessments; access visitation and/or custody assessments, reports or recommendations; assessments, reports or recommendations to present or to include as part of hearings, trials or any other legal related process.

From time to time we receive calls from very caring and loving family members or friends who are worried about a loved one, but this loved one does not want to seek help. As mentioned before, counselling/psychotherapy works best when the individual identifies a need and fully consents to participate. If you find yourself in a situation in which you identify a need for services for a loved one but this person doesn’t seem aware of such need, minimizes your concerns or denies any problem, do not let that deter you from seeking help for yourself. Sometimes we focus all our attention on trying to help others but we forget about ourselves. Trying to force counselling/psychotherapy on a person can have completely the opposite results.