Non-religious therapists, remotely or in Toronto

Canada online therapy and counselling

Secular Therapist Directory

Beth Mares RP, licenced online therapist, helps people who suffer from guilt, depression, sexual inhibitions, sex addictions, intrusive thoughts, relationship problems, difficulty asserting themselves, or other after-effects of a limiting religious upbringing. She also does non-religious marriage preparation for same-sex and other-sex couples using video therapy. Beth has carried on a psychotherapy practice in Toronto for 30 years.

Silvana Bazet, registered psychotherapist, is a clinical member of the Ontario Society of Psychotherapists and has been in private practice since 2000. Silvana specializes in working with individuals and couples who belong to immigrant and racialized communities as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and transsexual communities. Services in English and Spanish. To find out more visit: http://torontopsychotherapy.wordpress.com or call 416-535-5705

Lori-Ann Wesley Kim M.A., R.I.H.R., is a psychotherapist and life coach, and is a member of OACCPP (Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists). She uses an eclectic holistic approach to psychotherapy / counseling. Sessions are individually tailored to meet individual needs and may include: Talk Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Voice Dialogue, Body-Centered Psychotherapy, Transactional Analysis, Psychodrama, Energy Psychology, Focusing, Dream Analysis, Gestalt, Reiki, Chakra balancing, Guided Meditation, and Regression Healing Therapy. Counselling is available for individuals and couples. (Mar. 10)

Christopher Oliphant, psychotherapist – Therapy Toronto, 269, Albany Ave. (Bathurst & Dupont), 647-828-3248, ra.therapist@gmail.com. Psychotherapy for individuals, couples; Issues: personal growth, relationship, anxiety, depression, sexuality, addictions: LGBT/queer-friendly.

Susan Blackburn, M.A., C.Psych. is a Registered Psychologist providing psychotherapy, counselling and psychological services to adults and couples. She is a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario and the Ontario Psychological Association. Susan’s private practice focuses on relationship issues, marriage, self esteem, confidence-building, anxiety, depression, life transitions, work/life balance, mindfulness, communication and stress management and she integrates evidence-based modalities including cognitive behavioural (CBT), interpersonal (IPT), mindfulness and solution-focused therapy in her work. Susan’s office is located at Yonge and Eglinton in Toronto. Phone: (416) 549-5089. Email: admin@susanblackburn.com (Updated May, 2017)

Kimberly Moffit, BA (Hons), one-on-one therapy with both adults and children. Kim's past experiences as a professional musician have led her to study the relationship between music and our emotions, particularly with clients who feel a personal connection with music in their own lives. 717 Bloor Street West, Toronto at the Christie subway station. 647-328-5955 (Feb. 09)

Mandy Ketcheson says:
As a relational therapist it is my belief that your relationships shape who you are and how you relate to others and the world around you. Relationships help you to organize yourself in the world. When they falter, end, or disappoint, you may find yourself feeling disconnected. By looking at past relationships as models for how you are in the world and by forming a new relationship model with me, you will gain insight, understanding and perspective into the issues that concern you. My office is a safe place to explore, without judgment, how you arrived where you are today and how it feels to be there. I look forward very much to meeting you and hearing your story. I see Individuals and couples. My office is located on the Danforth just east of Broadview Ave. 416-469-8285. (Jan. 09)

Alexia Pearce, B.Ed., MA, secular counsellor says:
My areas of interest are depression, anxiety, anger issues, low self-esteem and couples counselling. Through a holistic approach, and in a safe and encouraging environment, I offer counselling that is geared towards helping clients gain an understanding of themselves, their place in the world and their life struggles. I believe that counseling can provide relief from negative symptoms by helping us understand our difficulties, opening up possibilities for positive change and teaching us new strategies to cope with future difficulties. 416-919-7639.

I am a registered member of OACCPP and provide psychological services under the supervision of Dr Donna Ferguson, C. Psych.

I work out of three locations. North York, 1849 Yonge Street, Suite 511 (Davisville & Yonge); West Toronto, 2386A Bloor St. W., Bloor West Village (Bloor & Jane); Mississauga, 2 Robert Speck Pathway, Suite #748, Mississauga (H10 & Burnhamthorpe). (Aug. 09)

Daryl Landau MA, MSc
Couples counselling, individual coaching (including anger management), mediation for separation.
"I started as a mediator and consultant in interpersonal relations and conflict. I received my accreditation as a family mediator. Then I added narrative and brief therapy, joined the OACCPP, and continued to help people in their relationships. Even people with strong skills get stuck when dealing with “difficult people” and situations, whether in our families or workplaces. I help by eliciting your goals and skills, offering ideas on strategies, and reflecting together on the lessons that life teaches us.
My office is near High Park in west Toronto. Call 416-763-6205, e-mail daryl@common-ground.ca"
See Daryl's article dealing with interpersonal conflict (Sept. 09)

Philip Strapp phil@new-choices.ca 416-709-2348. Philip says: "I provide supportive exploration of "here-and-now" issues for individuals and couples, including emotional and body awareness, relationship, communication and sexuality concerns, in a non-judgmental, open-minded environment. In-home appointments are available". (Oct. 09, updated Oct. 11)

Priyadarshini Senroy MA. CCC Member of The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. "I have a Masters degree in Drama and Movement Therapy from England and have been practising in the area of special needs, domestic violence, eating disorders and mental health over the last 17 years, starting my journey in India, going to England and now based in Toronto. I use creative approches like art, embodiment, guided movement, storymaking, journalling etc to deal with various psycho-social and emotional issues in both long term and short term counselling sessions. I work in English, Hindi and Bengali and am based in East Toronto. Please contact me at 647-268-7668 or email me at senroycounselling@yahoo.ca for fees (sliding scale available on request) and hours." (Feb. 10, Dec. 10)

Orit Morse is co-founder of New Realities Eating Disorders Recovery Centre and a psychotherapist with 22 years of counselling experience currently focusing on recovery from eating disorders. Orit has facilitated groups at Sheena’s Place as well as the Trauma Resolution Centre. She provides individual and family counselling in both these areas. She is also a parent educator, guest lecturer and facilitates workshops on topics such as marriage and family issues, addiction recovery and many other areas of personal growth.

Orit has completed an M.A. degree in Counselling Psychology at the Adler School of Professional Psychology and is a member in good standing with the North American Society for Adlerian Psychology (NASAP) as well as a Certified Clinical Member of the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists (OACCPP). She was a student of psychodrama as well as other body-oriented therapies.

Orit works through the use of traditional talk therapy as well as guided Imagery, psychodrama, art, movement and other body oriented therapies. She believes that by clearing and healing the blocks that may have accumulated due to pain, struggle, fears, negative thoughts, anxieties or unrealistic expectations, people are able to rediscover their authentic selves, have self love, fully express themselves, manifest their dreams – and find their heart’s path.

Orit can be reached at 905 763-0660 e-mail: newrealities@rogers.com The office location is at Yonge and Clark in Thornhill

Derek Wright M.S.W., R.S.W. 918 Centre Street South, Whitby, Ontario As a provider licenced with the Ontario College of Social Workers, I have over ten years of experience providing counselling services to the community. I have worked with clients across the life-span including children, youth, individuals, couples and families. I believe in a client-centered approach to counselling where the client plays a central role in defining and controlling both the goals and the focus of the discussion during sessions. I have extensive experience in assisting clients with a wide range of concerns including but not limited to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, anger management, child and youth behavioral issues, relationship issues, childhood abuse, domestic violence, trauma, and grief and/or loss. counselling@wrightpath.ca or 289-893-0811 (Dec. 10)

Sara Kamin, MSc, Relational therapist.
" Everyone experiences life differently, but we can make sense of it together. I provide a space in which you can talk through the challenges of life in the context of an empathic, caring, and safe relationship. I approach my work as a therapist with relational and empathic listening, nonjudgmental exploration, interactive engagement, respectful challenge, and mutual participation in the therapeutic process. My work is informed by a holistic approach that respects the relational, interconnected nature of human experience. Together, we will explore the physical, psychological, sociocultural, and historical factors impacting your life. I am a relational psychotherapist trained at the Toronto Institute for Relational Psychotherapy, an intensive three-year theoretical and clinical training program in psychodynamic, intersubjective, relational psychotherapy. I am also a member of the Ontario Society of Psychotherapists and the American Psychological Association Division of Psychotherapy."
Office location: Yonge and Summerhill. Phone: 416-858-4039. E-mail: sara@fromthehearttherapy.com

Laura Devlin BA Psych., MA C. Psych, CCC. "I gained my education in counselling psychology at The University of British Columbia and McGill University. I provide couples, family, and individual counselling. In my work, I draw from cognitive behavioural, emotion focused, and experiential approaches." 416-648-7863, beaches.therapy.to@gmail.com, #101-579 Kingston Ave ( The Beaches, Toronto). (Oct. 09)

Lindsay Ross MSW RSW is a social worker who provides individual and couples therapy both in-office and in-home for new parents struggling with postpartum adjustment, depression and anxiety. With 10+ years of experience as a social worker, Lindsay has advanced training and certification in cognitive behavioural therapy, narrative therapy and emotionally-focused therapy. Office in midtown Toronto at 3080 Yonge Street, Unit #5004 with convenient access to the TTC. 647-501-7220, lindsayross.msw@gmail.com.

Dr. Ross Grey has retired as of July, 2022

Bronwyn Dickson is no longer in private practice

The secular therapy scene has changed

Seems like secular therapy is now "in". The following is of historical interest only.

This is what we wrote when we started this page in 2007:

Looks like we're breaking new ground here.

When we started this list, we looked up the first four pages of results on Google for "secular therapy". Except for a couple of studies on the relative effectiveness of secular and spiritual therapy, the only thing we found was Christian counselling sites. We did only slightly better when we searched for a "non-religious therapist Toronto"--there was a therapist who did "non-religious spiritual exploration" and a couple who did non-religious wedding ceremonies. We found nothing relevant under "non-religious counsellor Toronto". "Secular counsellor Toronto" yielded an addiction treatment centre that provides both religious and secular counselling.

Sometimes a client goes to a practitioner he assumes is secular and non-judgemental--and is unlucky. A 40+ woman that one of us counselled was just coming to terms with being Lesbian; she was surrounded by people with bigoted attitudes and had been agonizing over it for a couple of years. When she went to a "doctor" (read "Authority") for some testing and spoke of her conflicts, the psychologist volunteered that in her view God had intended that a woman should be with a man.

We think potential clients should be able to find a non-religious psychotherapist or counsellor.

What is a secular therapist?

By a secular therapist we mean someone who believes in Science and who is opposed to all kinds of bigotry. (For example, excluding girls wearing headscarves we would consider bigotry, not secularism as claimed by some of those who do it.) Secular therapy may be practiced by a counsellor or psychotherapist with a religious affiliation, but a secular therapist does not offer spiritual guidance other than to help the client explore and clarify his own worldview if requested. We realize that procedures can sometimes have a beneficial effect even when the rationale is wrong or even irrational; however this directory is intended for professionals whose priority is to empower their clients by treating them with respect, being honest with them, and encouraging rational thinking. Therefore listings on this page are not intended for counsellors whose practice includes astrology, "past life regression", "parapsychology", or "the paranormal".

--Mike and Beth Mares

Contact:
Toronto Therapist Directory
Copyright © 2007 Mike Mares. All rights reserved. The copyright of contributions belongs to the contributors, and all other material is the property of Mike Mares
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