Treatment
In the first session, an assessment is conducted. Clients indicate what they would like improved in their life and what particular problems they may like to overcome. The therapist asks questions and provides some questionnaires to complete. By the end of the first session, clear goals are identified between the client and therapist. An estimate of the number of sessions required is also provided. Progress is then regularly monitored between the client and therapist throughout treatment. Skills are practiced in and between sessions.
The centre provides the following treatment for all ages of children, teens, and adults:
Individual Therapy
Family Therapy
Parenting Skills Training
Group Therapy
Marital/Couples Therapy
Programs
Child and Adolescent Program
We enjoy our work with children and teens, and, children and teens (usually!) like to see us. We conduct a thorough assessment of your children and teens and work together to set goals for our work. To do this, we ask for perspectives from parents and children and assure children that everyone’s story is important! We ask for background information on your child’s development – typical milestones and any concerning emotions and behaviours. We ask you to bring in to your first appointment your child’s report cards and any prior relevant assessments that may have been done, such as Psycho-Educational assessments. We will ask you and your children to take home a few short questionnaires to bring back to your second appointment. Then, once we are clear on what would be the best plan to help your child, we work individually with your child, or with parents alone from time to time, and sometimes with children and parents together. We update parents at the end of sessions and ensure parents are aware of the tools we are teaching to assist their children and teens. We help younger children challenge their “stinking thinking” when sad, scared, or angry and teach them to be “detectives” and look at situations more realistically. We have similar, more “teen-age” tools for teens to use. We have a number of CBT tools and effective techniques from play therapy we teach and ask children and teens to practice between sessions and use once therapy ends. For some children who have difficulty understanding their emotions or expressing themselves, we use play therapy.
Adult Program
We enjoy our work with adults too. We conduct an assessment with adults in their first session. Once we have clarified the goals for our sessions, we begin our work immediately. We teach practical problem-solving skills in addition to CBT. Sometimes clients are feeling quite upset when they see us initially and we help to calm them and provide them with guidance and hope for the upcoming week. Other clients come to see us for guidance and support for a problem or recent situation. Some clients are feeling generally good overall and just need a few tips and tools. In some cases, we need to change some longstanding negative beliefs. We use approaches that clients are comfortable with, such as emotion-focussed techniques or more cognitive techniques. We ensure clients have tools they can use between sessions and when they end therapy. Clients end therapy with an increased self-awareness, more confidence, and a set of new (written) tools for dealing with everyday stress. All of these combined are very helpful for preventing relapse of the problems that brought clients into therapy.
Eating Disorders Program
The centre uses a multi-disciplinary approach to treat anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders. We work with teens, adults, and children who have an eating disorder and/or body image concerns. We often have to do some psychoeducation to help individuals and family members understand the cycles of emotionals, thoughts, and behaviour in individuals and families where there is an eating disorder. We try to build empathy and support in this difficult situation. Ideally, we try to prevent problems from escalating, but often we are asked to help when thoughts and behaviours have become quite entrenched. Some clients come to us after being discharged from residential care centres or hospital programs in Canada and the US. There is a dietician at the centre who also works with the centre's clients. And, we also work closely with physicians and psychiatrists as part of the client's treatment team. We have regular conversations with these other care-givers, as appropriate, to coordinate care. The latest evidence-based approaches are used with clients - i.e., the Maudsley-family based approach and CBT. Emotion-focussed therapy (EFT) is also used, as appropriate.
Group Program
The centre runs groups. These are 8 to 12 sessions and run for an hour to two hours, depending on the group. Further information is available on the "Groups" page on this website.
Rehabilitation Program
Clients who have been in motor vehicle accidents (MVA's) are assessed and a treatment plan is created with the client's insurance company. Similarly, clients on long-term disability (LTD) or short-term disability (STD) are assessed and a treatment plan is created with the client's insurance company, where applicable. Chronic pain and other concurrent problems are treated, as required.
Training
Dr. Williams provides CBT workshops for clinicians. She also provides CBT supervision for clinicians, students, and Registering Psychologists.
Consultation
The centre will provide an assessment of your mental health needs and provide recommendations for treatment. These recommendations can be provided to your physician upon your request.
Public Education
The centre has a library of books, videos, and pamphlets. The centre's staff also speak at schools and support groups.
Training
Dr. Williams provides CBT workshops for clinicians. She also provides CBT supervision for clinicians, students, and Registering Psychologists.
SERVICES