Achieve Mental Wellness with Almaguin Psychotherapy

I obtained my Play Therapy Certification in January after completing a 40-hour course.  At its core, play therapy allows children to work through challenges such as anxiety, trauma, behavioral concerns, and life transitions in a way that feels comfortable and developmentally appropriate. Instead of relying solely on conversation, children use toys, art, and imagination to communicate what is happening inside.

In a play therapy session, children are offered a variety of carefully selected materials—such as figurines, dolls, art supplies, and building toys. Through these tools, they can:

• Act out real-life situations 
• Express difficult emotions safely 
• Build problem-solving skills 
• Develop confidence and self-esteem 
• Learn healthy ways to cope 

I can gently supports and guides the process, helping the child make sense of their experiences while building a strong sense of safety and trust.

Sand tray therapy is a powerful form of play therapy that allows children to create their own “world” using sand and miniature figures.

In the sand tray, children can:

• Tell stories without needing words 
• Process trauma and big emotions 
• Explore relationships and experiences 
• Create distance from difficult situations in a safe way 

A child might build a peaceful scene, a chaotic environment, or something in between—each creation offering insight into their inner world. I can observe , support, and gently help a child process meaning when appropriate.

Play therapy can be helpful for children experiencing:

• Anxiety or worries 
• Behavioral challenges 
• Family changes (divorce, separation, new siblings) 
• Trauma or difficult experiences 
• Social struggles or low self-esteem 

If you’re unsure whether play therapy is the right fit, I’d be happy to connect and explore what support might look like for your child.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a practical, evidence-based approach that helps individuals understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are connected. When we shift unhelpful thinking patterns, we can begin to feel better and respond to challenges in healthier ways.

CBT is structured, goal-oriented, and focused on building skills that can be used both inside and outside of sessions.

CBT is effective for children, teens, and adults. It can support individuals experiencing:

• Anxiety and panic 
• Depression and low mood 
• Stress and overwhelm 
• Low self-esteem 
• Behavioural challenges 
• Trauma-related symptoms 

CBT can also be adapted to suit different ages and needs, making it a flexible and accessible approach.

CBT is effective because it focuses on building skills that last. It empowers individuals to:

• Understand their patterns 
• Develop healthier ways of thinking 
• Respond differently to challenges 
• Feel more in control of their emotions 

Over time, these small changes can lead to meaningful and lasting improvement.

If you’re looking for a structured, practical approach to managing your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, CBT may be a great fit.

I offer CBT in a supportive and collaborative environment, tailored to your unique needs and goals. If you’re curious about how CBT could support you or your child, I’d be happy to connect.

At different points in life, we may find ourselves asking deeper questions:
Who am I? What is my purpose? Why do I feel this way?

Existential therapy creates space to explore these questions in a meaningful and supportive way. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, this approach looks at the bigger picture—your values, your choices, and the meaning you make of your experiences.

Existential therapy is grounded in the understanding that being human comes with certain universal experiences, such as:

• Freedom and responsibility 
• Uncertainty and change 
• Isolation and connection 
• Meaning and purpose 

Rather than avoiding these realities, existential therapy helps you explore them with curiosity and openness, allowing for greater self-awareness and personal growth.

What to Expect in Sessions

Sessions are conversational, reflective, and guided by your experiences. Together, we may explore:

• Your sense of identity and self 
• Life transitions and challenges 
• Feelings of anxiety, emptiness, or being “stuck” 
• Personal values and what truly matters to you 
• How your choices shape your life 

There is no “right” answer—this work is about discovering what feels authentic and meaningful for you.

Existential therapy can support you in:

• Gaining clarity about your values and direction 
• Building a stronger sense of identity 
• Navigating life transitions or uncertainty 
• Developing acceptance of difficult realities 
• Creating a more meaningful and intentional life 

Rather than eliminating discomfort, this approach helps you build the capacity to face life with greater resilience and understanding.

Existential therapy may be a good fit if you:

• Feel stuck, lost, or uncertain about your path 
• Are navigating major life changes 
• Struggle with questions about meaning or purpose 
• Want a deeper understanding of yourself 
• Are seeking more authenticity in your life Our stress management sessions provide tools and techniques to help you manage stress and improve your overall well-being. We focus on developing healthy coping strategies and techniques for managing stressors in your daily life.

Our mindfulness sessions provide tools and techniques to help you develop a greater sense of awareness, reduce stress, and improve your overall mental well-being. We offer individual and group mindfulness sessions for a variety of mental health concerns.

Simple and foundational

• Focus attention on the breath (in through nose, out through mouth) 
• Notice the rise and fall of the chest or belly 
• When the mind wanders, gently bring it back 

For youth:
“Smell the flower, blow out the candle”

Builds awareness of physical sensations

• Slowly bring attention to different parts of the body (feet → head) 
• Notice sensations without trying to change them 
• Helps with anxiety and panic by reconnecting to the body safely 

Great for anxiety and panic

• 5 things you can see 
• 4 things you can feel 
• 3 things you can hear 
• 2 things you can smell 
• 1 thing you can taste

Our trauma therapy sessions provide a safe and supportive environment to help you process and heal from traumatic experiences. We use evidence-based practices to help you overcome trauma and improve your mental well-being.

Trauma therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Depending on your needs, I may integrate:

• Trauma-informed CBT to understand and shift unhelpful thought patterns 
• Play therapy and sand tray therapy for children or those who express best through creativity 
• Grounding and mindfulness techniques to regulate the nervous system 
• Strengths-based and relational approaches to rebuild safety and trust 

Trauma therapy is guided by a few key principles:

• Safety first – emotional and physical safety are always prioritized 
• Pacing matters – we go at your speed, never rushing the process 
• You are in control – your voice and choices guide the work 
• Compassion over judgment – your responses make sense given your experiences 

Trauma therapy can support individuals who:

• Have experienced abuse, neglect, or difficult life events 
• Struggle with anxiety, panic, or emotional overwhelm 
• Experience flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories 
• Feel stuck, disconnected, or unsafe 
• Want to better understand and heal from past experiences

Click on Book Now on the Main Page to book a 15-minute virtual or in-person consultation for free!