Colin Schwartz
M.Ed., R. Psych.
Registered Psychologist
Psychology and Counselling for Teens and Adults
Welcome. Reaching out for help isn't always easy, and I'm glad you're here.
Does Any of This Resonate with You?
Have you been feeling low or anxious for so long that you've started to feel numb?
Are you tired of feeling badly and unsure where to turn to talk about it?
Have the people closest to you, or even your employer, begun to notice that you're struggling?
Do you feel disconnected or on the outside of the people and the life around you?
Do you know you have many years ahead of you but aren't sure how to live them well?
If any of this sounds like you, you're not alone, and there is a way forward.
There is Hope
Learn how to look at your life experiences and struggles from a fresh perspective
Work toward understanding the thoughts, values, and beliefs that may be quietly driving your emotions
Build more meaningful connections with the people in your life and with yourself
Learn how to manage depression, anxiety, and misplaced anger
Develop stronger social skills and deeper empathy in your relationships
Move toward a better quality of life, with more light and colour in your days
APPROACH TO COUNSELLING
My formal training is in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and I also draw on existential perspectives. Emotions can be complex and draining. I like to listen closely to them and to where they've taken you. Often, deep and unexamined thoughts, values, and beliefs about the world and your place in it are driving those emotions. I'll ask questions that invite you to consider your experiences from a new angle, one you may not have thought of before. A fresh look at yourself can lift the dark glasses from your eyes and let more light and colour in.
I believe everyone has a path behind them that has shaped who they are. Telling your story to someone who truly listens brings dignity to the process and can ease the feeling of being alone with it. Together, we'll work on the unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that wear away at your quality of life, and on building a story about yourself and your relationships that feels meaningful to you. In an accepting environment, you can begin to enjoy the present without being weighed down by worry about the future.
Why Choose to Work with Me?
I'm warm, engaging, and a good listener. Therapy is important work, but it doesn't always have to feel heavy. A smile or a laugh can help break the ice and ease difficult emotions. My colleagues have described me as fun and comfortable to be with, and I want you to feel the same way in session.
You can count on me. Dependability and consistency matter to me. Having someone reliably in your corner is a healthy connection in itself, both personally and therapeutically.
I understand what it's like to feel disconnected. In my own life, meaningful connections with others were the antidote to worry and angst. That experience, along with self-study, formal training, and many years of practice, shaped the way I work.
I have experience with the concerns that bring people in. I have worked with both adults and teenagers on depression, anxiety, misplaced anger, social skills, relationships, and developing empathy.
You'll be listened to without judgement. Clients have described me as easy to approach and talk to, and I'm glad when our conversations leave you with new things to think about. My greatest reward is seeing someone smile and tell me they feel better after our sessions.
Ready to Take the First Step?
You don't have to keep carrying this alone. I'd be glad to hear your story. Get in touch to book your first session.
If you live according to nature, you will never be poor. If you live according to opinion, you will never be rich. Seneca
SPECIALTIES IN COUNSELLING
Demographics:
Teens
Adults
Seniors
Neurodivergent Clients
Faith-based Clients
Trauma Survivors
Major Categories of Practice
Individual
Group Counseling
Mediation
Career / Vocational
EAP / EFAP
Testing & Assessment
DSM-IV-TR Diagnosis & Treatment
Crisis Intervention / Trauma
Education / Schooling
Business & Organizational Development
Specializations:
Education / Career / Vocation:
Career Change & Development
Career & Vocational Assessment
Learning Difficulties
Professional Burnout
Workplace Issues
Addictions:
Alcohol & Drugs
Substance Addiction
Gambling Addictions
Abuse:
Abuse Survivor Issues
Child Abuse
Domestic Abuse
Emotional / Psychological Abuse
Neglect
Rape & Incest Recovery
Medical / Health:
Chronic Illness
Managing Chronic Pain
Disorders:
Adjustment Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Developmental Disorders
Dissociative Disorders
Eating Disorders
Impulse-Control Disorders
Mood / Depressive Disorders
Personality Disorders
Psychotic Disorders
Somatoform Disorders
Substance Disorders
General:
Abandonment
Aggression
Anger
Anxiety
Boundaries
Caregiver Stress
Communication
Control Issues
Dependency & Co-Dependency Issues
Forgiveness
Grief and Loss
Identity Issues
Individual Counseling
Men's Issues
Therapies Used:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Existential Therapy
Grief Therapy
Group Therapy
Social Learning / Modeling Therapy
Somatic Experiencing