It’s not always easy to reach out for help, or know quite where to turn, or who to turn to. It is important that you feel understood. The intention is to explore ways that can help you heal, become aware of your inner strengths, and provide tools to help you cope with life’s inevitable challenges. Areas of exploration might include and are not limited to:
Anxiety and Depression
Stress Management
Relationships
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Self-Esteem and Self-Worth
Grief & Loss
Trauma & PTSD
Eating Disorders
Spirituality
I provide a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental environment for everyone, from adolescents to older adults, and of any gender identity. Together we will explore the thoughts, emotions, and feelings that influence your behaviour patterns. This exploration could lead you to make healthier choices that can promote lasting, meaningful change. I use a body-mind-spirit approach and our sessions support your unique needs and goals.
Going beyond conventional talk therapy, I may include elements of: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Inner child work, and other experiential therapies.
My own life experiences are what influenced me to want to help others find ways of getting through what doesn’t seem imaginable, and realize that the possibility of a joyful life really does exist. These experiences are what led me down the path towards an education in psychotherapy which, coupled with my own transformational and spiritual development, has allowed me to be a resource of comfort to those who might be experiencing things that I myself have moved through. I know what it feels like to have overcome these struggles and how life can change significantly with intention and the right guidance.
I intend to support you on your journey and show you ways in which you can grow from your struggles, diminish your anxieties, and move forward so that you can live the life you deserve with authenticity, joy, and fulfillment. If you are ready to start a new chapter, allow me to show you ways of discovering a deeper connection with yourself, others, and the world.
Depression, fear, and anxiety are some of the most common and uncomfortable emotions that we may experience at some point in our lives. Therapy can help you recover motivation, perspective, and joy, and have greater peace in the midst of the demands of life.
I will act as a sounding board for you to talk about whatever stresses you are experiencing. We’d start by identifying the causes of your stress and work together to develop better ways to manage these issues. There are many benefits to stress management. Imagine the possibility of having more energy for other things in your life, being able to maintain resilience, have more patience, better focus and memory, improve other brain functions, and have greater access to your intuition. Reducing stress can have huge impacts on your physical, mental, and emotional health.
Closeness and intimacy to another person is more than just a desire, it is a basic human need. Relationship counselling can be beneficial to couples who are looking to strengthen their emotional connection in all stages of their relationship. Therapy can also serve as a way to strengthen an already good thing. Our sessions offer a supportive place where there is an opportunity to discuss issues and solutions to better improve any relationship, whether romantic, platonic, work-related, parental, etc. From a neutral perspective, I am here to listen to what you have to say and help illuminate both sides of a situation. It is important to understand your relationship dynamics, and see the other’s point of view.
It is possible to reclaim control of your life, to stop listening to the irrational thoughts that your mind can not stop obsessing over. It is possible to develop trust within yourself, rather than replaying the worst-case scenarios in your mind. Having been around OCD extensively, I truly understand what you're going through. I want to help you become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Breaking free from OCD can feel like unlocking a cage where, in time, the door is opened, and the world lies at your feet.
It’s not always easy to feel good about yourself if you don’t believe you’re worthy. We will challenge your negative thoughts rooted in harmful self-talk, and practice self-compassion. Learning to accept and love yourself is the foundation for living the life you want and deserve.
Regardless of the loss you are facing, grief therapy looks at helping people who have experienced loss find meaning, and move through the stages of grief to begin the healing process.
Our lives may be shaped by particularly prominent events that can keep us stuck in a distressing place and affect our relationships and other aspects of life. Individuals can experience symptoms associated with painful and traumatic circumstances like anxiety, fear, and hopelessness which can linger and interfere with our sense of safety or ability to connect with others. Our work together can lead you to overcoming these symptoms, and help you get unhooked from the trauma in your past that is intruding on your present.
Psychotherapy does not replace the essential care of a physician or specialized eating disorder practitioner. Sometimes it is helpful to have mental and emotional support while overcoming an eating disorder, and psychotherapy can be beneficial in that case. I have a unique understanding of the effects an eating disorder can have on the body, mind, and emotions, and am able to support you in those areas. In addition to your specialized practitioner, we could look closely at some of the thoughts and feelings associated with your eating disorder to help you become more aware of the chain that leads to these disordered behaviours. We would also analyze your core beliefs to see if we can pinpoint what might have influenced the manifestation of the eating disorder.
There is a belief that well-being includes the combined health of a person’s mind, body, and soul. The spiritual component of my practice looks at freeing the mind of any negative energies and replacing them with positive healing energies that restore all elements of well-being. Individuals who suffer from any type of emotional imbalance may choose to rely on forms of spiritual therapy to help them overcome obstacles. An individual may place their beliefs in a supreme being for guidance or simply draw strength and beliefs from within. By gaining the self-confidence to feel empowered, spirituality in therapy can address many forms of distress such as grief, relationship issues or everyday stress.
Please feel free to reach out to me at your convenience.
If you would like a Free Consultation, please let me know your preferred date(s) and time(s).
Yonge & Bloor Corridor /Yorkville Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Available online via video-conference Mon-Sat: 7:00am-6:00pm
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Lexi Gayne Psychotherapy
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