esse therapy
647-255-8196
About
I am a licensed clinical psychologist who earned my PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Montreal. During my doctorate, I conducted research on compulsive behaviours like binge eating and Body-Focused Repetitive Disorders (e.g., hair-pulling and skin-picking), and was involved in research projects conducting psychiatric evaluations for people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Body Dysmorphia. I have worked with children, teenagers and their families, as well as adults. I practiced in the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Service within the Outpatient Psychiatry Department at the Jewish General Hospital, providing individual and group therapy to adults suffering from a plethora of psychological conditions.
My practice is based in Toronto, Ontario, but I also provide teletherapy to Quebec residents.
Specialty
I help teenagers and adults manage anxiety stemming from life transitions and trauma. Anxiety and past experiences should not define one's value or future, and we can make active changes to overcome these challenges. Many complain about how exhausting anxiety can be - but we don't have to resign to living like this forever. The way I see it, the goal of therapy is to both get to know yourself and your anxiety, but also to take back control to minimize its impact on relationships and academic or professional development. Similarly, therapy can help people suffering from PTSD and trauma to feel safe again and take back the control they've been stripped of by improving their sense of self-worth and sharing their stories in a safe environment.
I also focus on the management of compulsive behaviours, such as hair-pulling, binge eating, and OCD. These behaviours often lead people to experience a significant amount of shame regarding a lack of perceived control over these behaviours. Therapy can help people by gradually decreasing the urge to engage in compulsive behaviours, better tolerate discomfort, and explore possible underlying psychological conditions.
Approach
Starting therapy can feel scary, but it's a unique journey and a life long investment that has the power to impact all areas of life. It's important to find a therapist that you can connect with and trust; therapy can feel very different from one therapist to another, so finding the right fit for your needs is imperative.
My therapeutic approach is attachment-based and integrates psychodynamic therapy, CBT, and third-wave CBT (e.g., Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). I use a collaborative approach to empower my clients to overcome the barriers that stop them from achieving their potential. My clients often describe me as warm, authentic and empowering, all the while maintaining a good sense of humour.
Accreditations
- College of Psychologists of Ontario.
- Ordre des Psychologues du Québec.