Good Therapy (Sherri Dowsett, Family Counselling Services)

Couples therapy is a structured therapeutic process where our trained therapists work with both partners to address relationship challenges and enhance communication. It emphasizes the relational rapport nurtured between the therapist and the couple to create a trusting and safe environment necessary for change. Through evidence-based techniques, the therapist helps partners understand underlying issues, improve emotional connection, and develop effective conflict resolution skills, fostering a more satisfying and harmonious relationship. Our therapists use the proven success of Gottman Couples Counselling as a focus for couples therapy.

Family therapy is a type of psychotherapy where family members work together with a therapist to address relationship dynamics, improve communication, and resolve conflicts. It focuses on understanding the family system as a whole, rather than focusing solely on individual members. The goal is to improve family functioning and overall well-being. Our family therapists recognize that individual behaviour is often influenced by family dynamics as well as external cultural and societal expectations, making collective change crucial. As families evolve through various developmental stages, this therapy adapts to address shifting needs and roles. By enhancing communication and resolving conflicts, family systems therapy promotes resilience and helps families navigate life’s transitions more effectively.

We believe that therapy should be affordable and accessible for everyone. With that in mind, our Master's Level Internship program allows clients to have access to therapy quicker and more affordably without reducing the quality of therapy. Clients benefit from the Intern's more immediate availability, their newly acquired knowledge of psychotherapy, and the direct supervision of a more experienced therapist.

Does your busy work, family, and travel schedule prevent you from accessing the support you need? Are you looking for ways to squeeze in an appointment without having to factor in the extra time and cost of commuting? Virtual counselling services allow clients to receive mental health treatment consultations safely and conveniently in our on-line platform or over the phone in the comfort of your own home. The convenience of virtual therapy is ideal for clients with busy schedules; those with physical/mobility limitations; students away at school; or for anyone feeling unwell but still wishing to access support. These services are provided regularly across the province of Ontario. Our therapists may also offer virtual services in several other provinces across Canada during a State of Emergency.

Our resident dog guides are in the office on Mondays to offer Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). AAT is a therapeutic application that incorporates a therapy dog into the treatment plan of traditional therapy. Animals in therapy are known to help improve the well-being of their human clients by reducing stress and feelings of anxiety. Each dog guide's calm presence and friendly interactions with clients facilitate an atmosphere of trust, nurturance, and relationship-building.

What is trauma? Trauma is an emotional response or reaction to a terrible life event or series of events that happened in your past regardless of how recent or long ago where your survival is threatened and your sense of safety is fractured.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? PTSD is a physical, emotional, and mental health condition caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event in your past that gets triggered in your present day, causing disturbing physical sensations and emotions, for example, intrusive memories, thoughts, flashbacks, and persistent fear, that often lead to emotional numbness or hyperarousal.

At Good Therapy, we take the time to understand who you are as an individual, the things that are adding stress and overwhelm to your life, and barriers to your healing. We look at all the interconnected aspects of your life in order to get the results you need to be free from the grip of traumatic past events. Our therapists have specialized training in trauma, trauma-informed care, and PTSD in order to support your healing journey.

Feeling stressed? Self-critical? Shackled by your own thoughts? Anxiety is a natural response to stress or perceived threats, characterized by persistent feelings of worry, fear, and unease. It can manifest physically, emotionally, or behaviourally, impacting daily life and functioning. Prolonged exposure to anxiety can lead to chronic stress, often resulting in fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and a range of health issues, such as heart disease and weakened immune response. Left untreated, stress can ultimately weaken mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

At Good Therapy, we are dedicated to helping you manage anxiety and stress with personalized, evidence-based therapeutic interventions. Our licensed therapists provide a supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings, learn coping strategies, and develop stress reduction techniques and skills. We aim to empower you to reduce anxiety, enhance resilience, and improve your overall quality of life.

Grief is the emotional response to loss, often involving a deep sadness over the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or other significant life changes. Grief embodies a range of feelings including denial, anger, confusion, bargaining and yearning, often evolving over time.

Loss refers to the experience of losing something or someone significant, which can trigger profound emotional reactions. This may involve physical loss, such as death, or symbolic loss, like the end of a relationship or job, leading to changes in identity, routine, and your plans and expectations for the future.

Depression is a condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can affect daily functioning, leading to difficulties in relationships, work, and overall well-being. Working with a supportive, compassionate therapist can benefit those struggling with depression.

At Good Therapy, we offer compassionate support for those navigating grief, loss, and depression. Our trained therapists provide a safe, welcoming environment to explore your feelings, develop coping strategies, and find meaning in your experiences of your loss and your future without that person or thing that you’ve lost. We’re committed to helping you heal navigate the stages of denial, anger, bargaining, and depression and move forward to regain a sense of acceptance, hope, and purpose in your life.

Supervision is an integral part of the on-going development of skills and competence of therapists. According to the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, "supervision and the opportunities that it provides for critical self-reflection and professional growth are central components of ethical social work...most importantly, it promotes high quality care for clients."

At Good Therapy, our supervisors meet the requirements of both, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, to provide clinical supervision to interning and new therapists.

Note: clinical supervision is for therapists only and not for the general public.

Have you done traditional talk therapy but still feel stuck? Are you still experiencing disturbing symptoms of anxiety, low mood, insomnia, flash backs, avoidance, negative self talk, or self blame? Does the past become present quickly when you feel triggered by something today? Work with a trained EMDR trained therapist for relief of your symptoms.

At Good Therapy, we have an EMDRIA trained therapist who integrates EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) into your individual therapy sessions in order to relieve symptoms of trauma and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Parenting support encompasses guidance and resources for caregivers as they navigate the challenges of raising children through the developmental stages and into adulthood. Common concerns include managing behaviour, nurturing healthy development, coping with stress, balancing parenting roles with personal needs, and managing empty nest as parents launch their children into young adult life.
At Good Therapy, we provide specialized support for parenting needs. Our therapists offer a compassionate environment to discuss concerns, develop effective strategies, and enhance parenting skills. We aim to empower you as a parent, helping you create nurturing and healthy relationships with your children.