Why do individuals seek psychotherapy? The answer may be different for everyone. Often the client may not know what ails them, but that something is not right and they need to talk to someone. Psychotherapy can provide a safe, nonjudgmental space to process thoughts and emotions.
I have an eclectic and holistic approach to psychotherapy, and utilize tools from Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, as well as evidence-based modalities such as CBT and DBT. Also, my experience as a music therapist provides a creative approach that can be used within psychotherapy sessions to express emotions and improve cognition.
Result: The most important part of psychotherapy is the therapeutic relationship. When engaging in a therapeutic relationship, I will work with the client to build trust and create a safe environment to support them in overcoming life’s hardships.
Experience:
Jon is a Registered Psychotherapist and a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier’s Master’s of Music Therapy Program. Before attending graduate school, Jon worked for several years as a Rehabilitation Specialist with adults in a psychosocial program.
As a psychotherapist, Jon has worked with diverse populations of all ages to address cognitive, communicative, emotional, social, physical and spiritual domains. Jon currently works with youth with developmental disabilities and anxiety, and adults with mental and physical health challenges and end of life concerns. Jon values diversity and inclusion and celebrates difference, while also recognizing common concerns of the human condition.
Client Focus: Individuals of all ages
Types of therapy: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, CBT, DBT,
Issues: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma
Mood Disorders, Psychosis, Dementia, Personality Disorders
Why do individuals seek psychotherapy? The answer may be different for everyone. Often the clie...
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It’s hard to sit with the feelings that accompany our challenges - fear, anger, sadness, shame, hopelessness - and it’s even harder to do it alone. Having a space where we’re seen and heard can make all the difference in finding our way, whether we’re navigating grief, anxiety, stress, or life changes.
As a therapist, my goal is to provide you with a secure relationship, built on trust and compassion, so that you feel comfortable exploring some of life’s more tender moments. I bring a warm, genuine, and creative approach to my music psychotherapy work, blending music and traditional talk-based techniques to best suit your needs. Working collaboratively, we can get curious about your more challenging feelings and how they impact your life. We’ll (re)discover your inner strengths and resources to help you on your path to personal growth
About Kristen:
Kristen has a Bachelor’s in Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master’s in Creative Arts Therapies from Concordia University. Since 2015, Kristen has had the privilege of working in diverse settings including hospices, hospitals, long-term-care, and community spaces where she’s supported people of all ages as they navigate various life challenges. She has a special interest and experience supporting children and their families facing serious illness and grief.
Kristen incorporates emotion-focused and mindfulness-based approaches to therapy, within a psychodynamic lens. She has a certificate in Death, Dying, and Bereavement which informs the ways she journeys alongside those experiencing change and loss. Kristen is committed to life-long learning as a therapist, frequently seeking opportunities for growth through courses, readings, and professional supervision.
Kristen is registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and certified with the Canadian Association of Music Therapists.
Client Focus: Adolescents (13+), Adults, Older Adults
Type of Therapy: Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Emotion-Focused, Mindfulness
Issues: Grief and loss, chronic and advanced illness, anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions
“Finally I saw that worrying had come to nothing.
And gave it up. And took my old body
and went out into the morning,
and sang.” - Mary Oliver
It’s hard to sit with the feelings that accompany our challenges - fear, anger, sadness, shame, h...
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Sometimes it can be hard to talk about certain life experiences; we might not
always want to talk about it but still feel like we need support. Art therapy can offer you the space and time to safely process
different thoughts and feelings in a meaningful way.
I utilize a holistic, creative, and collaborative approach in the art therapy that celebrates each client’s unique interests, needs, concerns, and goals. I strive to create a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment for all
individuals to feel comfortable to express themselves and get curious through the creative process.
Experience:
Mollia Kennedy, BFA, DTATI, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) is an artist and art therapist with a completed
bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts and Psychology from York University (2020) and a recent graduate from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (2023).
Mollia has experience providing art psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults across our community facing a variety of life challenges or concerns. With a person-centred focus and unconditional positive regard, Mollia can help support individuals process life events, explore new perspectives, and deepen personal connections.
Client Focus: Adults, Older Adults, individuals, children (starting at 6+)
Types of therapy: Mindfulness-based art therapy, person-centred, humanistic, emotions-focused bereavement art therapy,
Issues:
Anxiety, Depression, Isolation, Life Transitions, Pain Management, Stress and Burnout, Terminal Illness, Grief and Loss, Self-Esteem and Identity, and Sexuality and Gender (LGBTQA+).
Sometimes it can be hard to talk about certain life experiences; we might not
always want to talk...
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Sonja Knaus graduated with her Master in Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University and her Bachelor in Music Therapy with a Minor in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University. She has also had the opportunity to take the Neurologic Music Therapy training. She completed four full-time clinical internships in pediatric rehabilitation, private psychotherapy and counselling clinic, palliative and oncology care, and long-term care and palliative care at Sunnybrook. Sonja enjoys working with people of all ages and hopes to continue advancing the uses of music therapy in mental health care and healthcare as a whole.
Currently, her clinical work is largely focused on hospital work with the pediatric population. This includes outpatient mental health, inpatient oncology and general medicine, and helping siblings of patients who are dealing with anticipatory grief and bereavement. Sonja also works with children and adolescents with ASD/ADHD, behavioural, and mental health concerns. Sonja has also worked extensively in long-term care, adult day programs, and community mental health. She uses a combination of a person-centered, humanistic, and culture informed approach, and believes that people can use music in various ways to tap into their inner strengths and potential for positive growth.
In addition to her clinical work in music therapy, Sonja is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Sonja has foundational training in DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) and CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), and may draw from these therapy modalities to help clients with various goals and concerns.
Sonja Knaus graduated with her Master in Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University and her Ba...
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