Counselling & Psychotherapy Services in Carleton Place
HOW WE CAN HELP
You don’t need to know exactly what kind of support you need before reaching out. Our therapists work with individuals, couples and families across a range of concerns, experiences and stages of life.
AREAS OF SUPPORT
What can we help you with?
Explore the areas our therapists can support you with. Select a topic below to learn more about how we can help.
Anxiety
Depression
Grief
Stress
Trauma
Relationship
Not Sure?
EMDR
Neurodiversity
Children
Self-Worth
OCD
Anxiety Support
When worry starts taking up too much space
At the core of anxiety is a mistaken appraisal of danger in which threats are exaggerated, triggering an array of negative feelings that overwhelm patients and lead to avoidant behaviour. Therapists take aim at the three big components of anxiety—worry, physical arousal or edginess, and avoidance—by teaching one or more well-researched programs of skills that are custom-tailored to patients’ own worst thoughts.
Clients are able to learn what kinds of thoughts and behaviours trigger their anxiety, how their own beliefs and statements about themselves contribute to their disorder, thoughts can magnify dangers they perceive. They also learn how to reduce the physical distress of anxiety and how to approach the situations that trigger their symptoms or general discomfort.
Depression Support
When everything feels a little heavier
Do you find it difficult to get up in the morning or have difficulties falling asleep at night? Do you feel like you are just “going through the motions” of your daily life? Do things that used to make you feel joy and happiness no longer matter?
If you notice you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you might be experiencing depression. Depression can occur at any age for a wide range of reasons and underlying causes. Some people can live for years with depression before they even experience a major episode. Fortunately, depression is a treatable condition and seeking depression counselling with CLM is an effective way to manage your symptoms and increase your quality of life. By consulting with a qualified therapist, you can start to discover and find renewed optimism and hope about your life.
Grief & Bereavement Support
There’s no right way to experience loss
We often only associate grief & loss with death, however, the loss can mean many things. Some non-death-related losses may include: end of a relationship, loss of independence, loss of possessions (ie. a home), loss of career, loss of health etc. When we think about grief and bereavement of a loved one, we often associate it with them dying. However, there are other ways in which we can lose a loved one and still experience these emotions, No matter the reason for your grief and bereavement, these feelings are very real. You may believe your life will never be the same or are struggling to find your way. You might even feel like you have lost a part of yourself you will not be able to get back.
Going through grief and bereavement on your own is very challenging and difficult. Finding your way to address the experience and move forwards can be rather painful. You do not have to go it alone and help is available through grief and bereavement counselling
Stress Management
When stress starts feeling like too much
Stress and some anxiety is normal, it can motivate us, keep us alert and can be brought on by negative and positive events. At times stress becomes too much to handle, leads to anxiety and depression and/or changes your behaviour and affects your physical health.
You may begin to feel overwhelmed, have difficulty relaxing or notice stress affecting your sleep, relationships and daily life. Recognizing when stress has become difficult to manage is an important step toward finding ways to cope.
Working on coping strategies, self-care, relaxation and changing perceptions can help us with present stressors and prepare us for future stressors.
Trauma Support
When the past still feels present
At times a traumatic event or series of events occur which have a profound impact on our emotional and psychological well-being. The event plays over in our minds like a movie, triggers illicit serious behavioural and emotional reactions and fear and anxiety can take over.
Trauma can affect different areas of your life and make it difficult to feel safe, comfortable and in control.
We will work together to understand the reactions you are experiencing, to learn strategies to work through the reactions and change your perception of the traumatic event. This will increase your feelings of safety and ability to cope and live a healthy life.
Relationship Support
When connection feels complicated
We will work collaboratively to learn communication skills, learn to understand your role in the relationship and how you and/or others are wired for connections. A healthy, nourishing romantic relationship can be a safe haven in times of uncertainty in the world.
Many people who seek relationship counselling are feeling stuck in patterns that prevent them from feeling excited and confident in their relationships. Some have difficulties feeling attracted to any potential partner. Some feel frustrated with dating apps and the pressures of online dating in our modern world. Some are still dealing with hurt from past relationships. All these experiences can leave you feeling alone and defeated, wondering if something is wrong with you and if you will ever find someone to share your life with.
OCD Support
When thoughts and rituals feel hard to control
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can be debilitating. Psychotherapy generally focuses on two aspects of the disorder: unravelling the irrational thoughts involved in the condition and gradually exposing sufferers to the feared object or idea until they are desensitized to it and can tolerate anxiety without engaging in compulsive rituals as well as providing alternative healthy coping strategies to use instead.
OCD can impact many different areas of daily life, making everyday situations, routines and responsibilities feel overwhelming. The cycle of unwanted thoughts and compulsive behaviours can take up significant time and energy and make it difficult to feel in control.
Self-Worth & Self-Esteem Support
When it’s hard to see your own worth
When a person has low self-esteem, they tend to see themselves, the world, and their future more negatively and critically. They might feel anxious, sad, low, or unmotivated. When they encounter challenges, they may doubt whether they will be able to rise to them. They might use negative self-talk, telling themselves things like “You’re stupid”, “You’ll never manage this”, or “I don’t amount to anything”.
A therapist can help clients recognize and reduce negative self-talk. Clients can also use self-compassion and goal-setting, both of which are linked to improved self-esteem. Boosting self-esteem can be a long process. Overcoming ingrained thought processes often requires hard work that the support of therapy is often required to facilitate.
Children & Adolescent Support
Growing up comes with a lot to navigate
Therapy can provide children and adolescents with a safe, supportive space to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. During childhood and the teen years, young people may face challenges such as anxiety, stress, social difficulties, family changes, school pressures, or struggles with self-esteem and identity.
A skilled therapist uses age-appropriate approaches—such as conversation, play, creative activities, and skill-building—to help young people better understand their feelings, develop healthy coping strategies, improve communication, and build resilience. Therapy also works collaboratively with caregivers when appropriate, helping families support their child’s emotional growth while respecting the young person’s voice and individuality. The goal is to empower children and adolescents with tools and confidence so they can navigate challenges, strengthen relationships, and thrive both now and in the future.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Support
Support that works with you, not against you
Therapy can provide a supportive, affirming space for children, adolescents, and adults with neurodiverse ways of thinking and experiencing the world. Rather than focusing on “fixing” differences, neurodiversity-affirming therapy works to understand each person’s unique strengths, challenges, and needs.
Through collaborative and individualized approaches, therapy can help build practical skills for communication, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and navigating school, work, and relationships. It also supports self-understanding, confidence, and self-advocacy, helping individuals and families develop strategies that reduce stress and create environments where neurodivergent people can thrive. By meeting clients where they are and honoring their lived experiences, therapy fosters resilience, connection, and a stronger sense of identity across all stages of life.
EMDR Therapy
Helping your brain process what still feels stuck
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy designed to help the brain and body process traumatic, distressing or difficult experiences. It uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, sounds or tapping, as part of the processing process.
At CLM, EMDR can be used to support concerns including anxiety, panic and phobias, depression, grief and loss, PTSD and trauma, performance anxiety, motor vehicle trauma, experiences of violence or abuse, and feelings of being stuck.
NOT SURE WHERE TO START?
You don’t need to know exactly what you need.
Sometimes you know you could use support without knowing what kind of support that should be. Reach out and tell us a little about what’s going on. We can help you figure out the next step and connect you with a therapist who may be a good fit.
