At AnxietyLab RN Psychotherapy I work with children, teens and adults who struggle with anxiety and OCD. Feeling anxious is hard. It takes the fun out of life and keeps us from doing what we really want and sometimes need to do. Helping my clients understand how anxiety works in their brains and bodies is a priority. This understanding will make the work we will do together make sense. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is the treatment that I provide for anxiety. Why? Because it has decades of research behind it, and I like to do what works. I will teach you techniques to recognize and challenge the defeating thoughts that are at the root of your anxiety. Together we will create experiments where you will face your fears. We will replace your current patterns of unhelpful thinking and behaviours with new ones that will lead to less anxiety and more positive emotions. My hope is to teach you skills that will serve you after we part ways, when life gets challenging or old patterns re-emerge. I work with clients of all ages. When my client is a child or teenager I do things a bit differently, and here’s why. Anxiety and other mental health issues are not just a child/teen problem…they are a family problem. Parents of kids who struggle with mental health are often stressed and anxious themselves. So therapy needs to involve them too. I include parents in the assessment and education process and consider them integral partners in supporting their kids as they develop skills to reduce their anxiety and other big feelings.

SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions: If a child/teen is not ready to engage in therapy, I will work with parents alone to build their knowledge and skills to reduce their child’s anxiety symptoms. SPACE, created at Yale University by Dr. Eli Lebovitz is an evidence based, effective treatment for childhood anxiety and OCD. Beyond providing support and education for parents, SPACE focuses on reducing family accommodations (changes that parents make in their own behaviour to reduce their child’s anxiety). If you are a parent of an anxious kid you know exactly what I’m talking about: constant reassurance, planning your life around your child’s fears, hours spent doing anxiety’s bidding. All parents of anxious kids do it because it usually leads to less distress in the moment BUT, ultimately, accommodation leads to more intense symptoms in the long term.

What I offer: .• I graduated from the University of Toronto in 2000 with a BScN and have since accumulated 22 years of clinical mental health experience and continuing education. I am a Certified Nurse Psychotherapist (CNP). The primary treatment modality I use at AnxietyLab is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. This includes Exposure Therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). I also have training in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing. The most important elements of my practice are empathy, collaboration, relationship and genuine interest.

• System navigation: the mental health system can be hard to figure out. Based on my assessment and your needs I can help you get where you need to go. If I can’t make the referral myself, I will provide direction and advocacy.

• Medication management: do you have questions about medication? have you or your child been started on a new medication? As an RN I can provide information, support, and monitoring of medications.

• Communication with other supports. Outcomes for children and teens are optimized when everyone in their circle of care are on the same page. I have lots of experience interacting with GP’s, pediatricians, psychiatrists, schools, and community agencies. With your permission I will provide information to other supports, attend meetings, or even arrange them if all parties are interested.

• Family Participation: when working with children and teens, family participation and teamwork is crucial. Parents can expect to attend the initial appointment without their child for the purposes of assessment. Beyond that parents are encouraged to attend as much as possible. Get ready to role up your sleeves, do some learning and experimenting along side your child!

What is an RN Psychotherapist? An RN, Psychotherapist is a Registered Nurse who has completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing with extra, intensive, and extensive training in mental health, counselling, and psychotherapeutic interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. In Ontario, all nurses must be registered the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). Psychotherapy has been legislated as a controlled act that only members of 6 Colleges can perform, of which the CNO in one. Registered Nurses in good standing with the CNO can perform the controlled act of psychotherapy (Yes…I am a member in good standing with the CNO). Insurance coverage: RN Psychotherapists are covered by several insurance providers here is Ontario including Green Shield. Contact your insurance provider to see if you are covered.

At AnxietyLab RN Psychotherapy I work with children, teens and adults who struggle with anxiety a... Read More