Pamela Gilbert Psychotherapy

About my practice

I am a Registered Psychotherapist in private practice in Toronto. I work with clients living anywhere in Ontario using a secure online video platform.

MY PRACTICE

I integrate modern and traditional therapy with practical skills for life. My work draws on my background in spiritual psychotherapy and addiction counselling, my life experience and previous career. My specialities include healing from a broken heart, Relationship Therapy for Individuals and Couples, Life Transitions, and Addiction Counselling.

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

A Window Into My Story

11 years 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 counsellors, and treatment centres. Holding hands with my family, we supported our son on the winding path of his recovery journey. I had not expected that the experience would be transformational for each of us. I was inspired to change careers and decided to pursue further education and training on my own path to becoming a psychotherapist. Flash forward to today and our son is doing well, one day at a time.

EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS

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 training in psychotherapy, I completed a full-time academic 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 for Individuals and families. I’ve worked with hundreds of individuals in recovery from addiction and the family members trying to support them.

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, as well as optimism for what can be overcome. I had a previous career in advertising in senior leadership roles. It was a surprisingly valuable background for psychotherapy as the work all started with understanding human psychology and behaviour. I stepped out of advertising to attend Le Cordon Bleu overseas and briefly ran my own cooking school in Toronto. Following university, I spent several years as an employment counsellor helping students.

Education

* Post-Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Psychotherapy – Transformational Arts College

* Certificates in Addiction Studies and Counselling Skills – Centennial College

* Honours Bachelor of Arts – University of Toronto

ADDITIONAL Training

Relationships & Couples Therapy:

*Gottman Method Couples Therapy – The Gottman Institute

*Narcissism, Infidelity & Trauma in Couples Therapy – Terry Real and Esther Perel

*Helping Clients who are Single, Dating & Single-Again – Alexandra Solomon

*Solutions-Focused Brief Therapy: Couples & Family – Dina Bednar, OISE, U of T

Trauma & Anxiety:

*Brainspotting Phase 1 – Martha Jacobi

*Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)

Personal Growth & Spiritual:

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

*Seven Windows to the Soul Chakra Workshop – Anodea Judith

Mindfulness:

*Mindfulness Training for Professionals – Jeffrey Brantley, Duke University

Professional Memberships

* College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

* Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists (OSRP)

* Brainspotting Canada Association

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