pamgilbert.ca

About my practice

I am a Registered Psychotherapist in private practice offering virtual sessions to residents of Ontario, with in-person sessions in Toronto.

MY PRACTICE

I have a diverse group of clients in a range of life stages, careers, professions, and creative fields. Many are looking for help with their personal relationships. Some want to change their relationship with an addictive substance or behaviour. Often they are in transition prompted by loss or unexpected life events. Some are looking for support along their career path. Whatever brings you here, therapy invites the awakening of greater self-awareness, healing, growth, and so much more.

I help individuals and couples create healthier, more fulfilling relationships, starting with the one they have with themselves.

"Let go of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace who you are." Brené Brown

A Window Into My Story

Over a decade ago, my teenage son took his first steps to recover from a mental health and addiction crisis. To find help for him, I consulted doctors, therapists, addiction specialists and treatment centres. Holding hands with my family, we supported our son on the winding road of his recovery. Being part of the journey was a transformational experience and it inspired me to change careers. My early work in counselling always held a special place in my heart, and I picked up the threads to pursue academic training in addiction studies and psychotherapy. Fast-forward to today: My son is doing well, and I love supporting clients as they make meaningful changes in their lives.

life EXPERIENCE + EDUCATION

LIFE EXPERIENCE + PREVIOUS CAREER

Perhaps my greatest strength as a therapist is my life experience. It has given me great insight and empathy for the struggles of the human journey, and optimism for what can be overcome. I had a previous career on the creative side of the corporate world, with senior leadership roles in advertising that included the launch of a startup for Canadian women. I moved overseas to train at Le Cordon Bleu in Cuisine & Patisserie, and briefly ran my own cooking school in Toronto. Following university, I spent several years as a youth employment counsellor helping students.

ADDICTION COUNSELLING EXPERIENCE

I have over a decade of experience in the addiction field. Along my son’s recovery journey, I participated in family programs at treatment facilities in the U.S. and Canada. Prior to studying psychotherapy, I completed a 400-hour training program in addiction studies and counselling. As a certified Addiction Counsellor, I ran my own practice, worked with residential treatment centres, and facilitated a weekly SMART Recovery support group. I’ve worked with hundreds of individuals in recovery from addiction and the family members supporting them.

Education + TRAINING

— Masters Level Diploma in Spiritual Psychotherapy, Transformational Arts College

— Certified in Addiction Studies & Counselling, Centennial College

— Gottman Method Couples Therapy, The Gottman Institute

— The CRAFT Model of Intervention for Addiction Treatment, Dr Robert J Meyers

— Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)

— Brainspotting 1 with Rev. Dr Martha Jacobi

— Discovering the Total Self: Balancing Mind, Body & Spirit, Transformational Arts

— Mindfulness Training, Duke Integrative Medicine

— Bachelor of Arts - BA (Hons), University of Toronto

REgulatory College/professional association

— College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), License #007975

— Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists (OSRP), Clinical Member

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