Therapy Approaches
How I Work:
Therapy Approaches
Like many modern therapists, I use a variety of evidence-based approaches tailored to your unique needs.
Each therapy offers tools and insights to help you navigate life’s complexities, overcome challenges, and create meaningful change.
Whether you’re seeking support as an individual or as a couple, these approaches can guide you toward clarity, balance, and connection.
Therapy Approaches
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a structured, goal-oriented therapy that focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours.
Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, or stress, CBT equips you with practical tools to:
Challenge negative thinking.
Develop healthier coping strategies.
Build confidence in managing life’s challenges.
Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Relationships can face difficult challenges, from recurring conflicts and communication breakdowns to infidelity and betrayal. Using the Gottman Method and attachment-based approaches, I help couples:
Understand and change recurring conflict cycles.
Address infidelity, betrayal, and the impact these experiences have on a relationship.
Improve communication and understand each other’s needs.
Explore attachment patterns and relationship dynamics that contribute to ongoing difficulties.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy approach that can help people process distressing experiences and memories that continue to affect them. It can help with:
Process traumatic or distressing experiences.
Reduce the emotional impact of painful memories and triggers.
Address negative beliefs associated with difficult experiences.
Develop a greater sense of safety and emotional stability.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy focuses on uncovering unconscious patterns and understanding how past experiences influence your present. This deeper exploration can help you:
Gain insight into emotional and relational patterns.
Resolve inner conflicts.
Build a stronger sense of self-awareness.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT combines acceptance and change strategies, making it especially effective for managing intense emotions and improving relationships. In DBT, you’ll learn skills to:
Regulate your emotions.
Improve communication and relationships.
Develop mindfulness and distress tolerance.
Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
SFT is a brief, goal-oriented approach that emphasizes solutions rather than problems. It’s particularly helpful for clients who want to:
Clarify their goals and strengths.
Focus on actionable steps to improve their situation.
Make progress quickly by building on what’s already working.
Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt Therapy focuses on your present experience, helping you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the here and now. This approach can help you:
Gain greater self-awareness and understand how your past experiences influence your present.
Explore and resolve unfinished business or unresolved conflicts.
Integrate different parts of yourself to create a more whole and authentic sense of self.
Existential Therapy
Existential Therapy explores the big questions of life – meaning, purpose, freedom, and mortality. This approach can help you:
Clarify your values and what truly matters to you.
Find meaning and purpose in your life, even in the face of challenges.
Live more authentically and make choices aligned with your values.
Person-Centered Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard, creating a supportive environment for personal growth. This approach can help you:
Discover your inner strengths and potential.
Build self-confidence and trust in your own decisions.
Explore your experiences in a non-directive, collaborative space.
Therapeutic Techniques
Sometimes, small, practical strategies can make difficult moments easier to manage. I tailor these techniques to each client, based on what they are experiencing and what they find helpful. They may include:
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)
Learning to release physical tension by gently tensing and relaxing different muscle groups.
Mindfulness and Breathing Exercises
Practices to observe thoughts and feelings with greater awareness, return attention to the present moment, and use breathing techniques to support calm and balance.
Resourcing
Exercises that help you connect with positive memories, personal strengths, and experiences of safety or support that you can draw on during difficult moments.
Self-compassion Exercises
Learning to treat yourself with greater kindness and understanding, especially when things feel difficult or you are being hard on yourself.
Grounding
Techniques to reconnect with the present moment when feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected.
Art Therapy Exercises
Using simple drawing activities to explore feelings, experiences, and thoughts that may be difficult to put into words. No artistic skill is needed.
Tailored to You
Your therapy journey is unique. Whether we’re focusing on one approach or integrating multiple techniques, my priority is to meet you where you are and support your goals.
I offer convenient and confidential online therapy for individuals and couples, accessible from the comfort of your own home.
Professional Testimonials
“Elena is very knowledgeable and passionate about evidence-based practices.”
Donelda Plau, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP, MEd, BA
“Elena is a thoughtful and skilled therapist who truly cares about her clients' well-being.”
Haroula Battista, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
“Elena excels at helping clients organize their thoughts and emotions with warmth and insight.”
Yuhao Miao, Counsellor, MACP, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
“Elena is a very welcoming and warm practitioner. ”
Emil Ermakov, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), BScN, RN, MA
“Elena has a natural ability to make clients feel safe, understood, and truly heard.”
Jordan Campeau, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), BScN, RN, MACP