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PEACE Psychotherapy consists of a small group of independent psychotherapists committed to promoting empathy, acceptance and compassion for everyone. We understand that many people and their families are struggling with powerful negative emotions, impulses and behaviours, and we are prepared to fight the good fight, even when it gets messy. We will ask the difficult questions and support you in the process. We believe that empathy is essential for living a good life, and that all people, no matter how hopeless they feel, have the capacity for change and the desire to live a life worth living. We have devoted our professional lives to helping people learn to accept the things they cannot change, to change the things they can, and gain the wisdom to determine the difference.
Empathy & Compassion – Effective therapists can bring about change when they are willing to address the elephant in the room and when they are confident enough to journey with you through your darkest thoughts, feelings and experiences.
Going where angels fear to tread – Therapists often avoid addressing difficult themes due to limited skills, confidence, or simply because it is easier not to. Accepting difficult realities is often a key for the solution though, as many problems stem from dysfunctional attempts to avoid these realities. PEACE psychotherapy helps you see the value in taking on and facing the source of your suffering, and sticks with you even when it gets messy.
Acceptance – Your PEACE therapist will guide you to face the realities of your life, even when painful and disappointing, in order to empower you to grieve, accept and effectively make the changes you need in order to reach your goals.
Flexible services based on your needs – Creating change in your life requires significant effort and on-going commitment to learning new skills and applying them. PEACE Psychotherapy offers a range of services tailored to your specific needs.
Cope in painful situations.
Live in the moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
Build self-awareness and confidence.
Express yourself effectively.
Say no and get what you want.
Live a life worth living.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT is an empirically validated treatment designed to be effective with the most challenging clients. It has been adapted by many people over the years since initially developed by Marsha Linehan, and is considered a gold standard for treating problems related to emotional dysregulation like:
A lack of self-awareness,
Poor self-esteem,
Emotional suffering,
Impulsive and self-destructive behaviours, and
Interpersonal conflict.
Comprehensive DBT programs require weekly individual therapy sessions in order to break down and analyse maladaptive beliefs, emotions and behaviours and replace them with more skillful ways of responding to what life throws at us. Skills training group sessions are an essential element of the program. Here, 4 sets of life skills are taught:
Mindfulness Skills to develop self-awareness and insight,
Distress Tolerance Skills to get through the difficult moments without acting impulsively and against our own interests,
Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills to improve our relationships and get more of what we want out of life, and
Emotion Regulation Skills to increase the good times, reduce the bad times, and live a more balanced life.
DBT therapists are committed to “going where Angels fear to tread”. They believe that clients cannot fail in therapy, so they work hard to ensure that you are getting to the root of the problem, and learning the skills necessary to get more out of life. In order to hold themselves accountable, they are supported by a team of therapists who collaborate to help ensure you achieve your goals.
PEACE Psychotherapy is an association of independent psychotherapists committed to DBT. We believe that empathy and compassion are essential tools for living a good life. All people, no matter how hopeless they feel, have the capacity for change and the desire to live a life worth living. We understand that many people and their families are struggling with powerful negative emotions, impulses and behaviours. We will ask the difficult questions, challenge you, and support you throughout the process.
At PEACE psychotherapy, we are committed to helping people learn
to accept what they cannot change,
to change the things they can, and
develop the wisdom to determine the difference.
Depending on your current challenges, we will help you learn the skills that are most relevant to you. To accommodate the treatment needs of the individual, we provide skills training in both a group and individual format.
The DBT treatment group provides members an opportunity to learn the 4 sets of DBT skills in a therapeutic environment. Members can explore the causes of their suffering, learn and practice new skills, disclose and problem solve challenges as they arise, and work towards achievable life goals. Group treatment can be powerful as it offers real life opportunities to interact with others in a way that transforms relationships.
Many clients do not believe they can cope well in a group setting. Together with your therapist we can determine if and when group therapy is the right fit for you.
Research has shown that most of the common approaches to therapy are about equally successful. In general, psychotherapy clients are better off after therapy than they were before it, and they are better off after therapy than 80% of untreated persons. Therapy is very helpful when the client is depressed, anxious, unhappy, a survivor of trauma, or suffering from a life-problem which requires lots of emotional energy and attention. People who are depressed may find their mood lifting. Others may no longer feel afraid, angry, or anxious. In therapy, people have a chance to talk things out fully until their feelings are relieved or the problems are solved. Clients’ relationships and coping skills may improve greatly. They may get more satisfaction out of social and family relationships. Their personal goals and values may become clearer. They may grow in many directions—as persons, in their close relationships, in their work or schooling, and in the ability to enjoy their lives. At PEACE Psychotherapy, we do not take on clients we do not think we can help.
In particular, a DBT approach focuses on closely analysing maladaptive behaviour patterns and learning and practicing skills to be more effective in life, and it has been very effective at treating problems related to emotional dysregulation. Family therapy can help to change patterns of interaction in the family that contribute to the problem and interfere with efforts to progress. There are also added benefits to group therapy, including building social networks, learning and practicing skillful living, increased self-confidence, and a reduction in social anxiety.
There are potential risks to psychotherapy. People may initially feel worse as the therapy progresses. For example, in therapy, there is a risk that clients will, for a time, have uncomfortable levels of sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness, helplessness, or other negative feelings. Clients may recall unpleasant memories. These feelings or memories may bother a client at work or in school. Sometimes, too, a client’s problems may temporarily worsen after the beginning of treatment. Most of these risks are to be expected when people are making important changes in their lives. In rare cases, psychotherapy may even trigger some people to have thoughts about wanting to hurt themselves or end their lives. It is always important that you tell your therapist if you are having any frightening or dangerous thoughts or feelings, or if you are considering harming yourself or someone else. If there is significant suicidal ideation or a history of suicidal attempts and we do agree to work together, we will expect that your family or significant other supports are aware of this, and that you are prepared to use a crisis service if necessary.
Some clients develop strong feelings about their therapists. This is especially true in longer therapies. Such feelings are normal, even if sometimes uncomfortable or confusing. Any feelings are possible, and the rule for them all is to talk them over with the therapist. They are experienced with this and will help you understand how this is part of your progress.
Therapy can also be very challenging, as it is often about making changes or about looking at yourself differently. Therapy can change how you live, and it can change how you feel about your relationships.
While a high degree of confidentiality is necessary for therapy to be effective, there are some limits to confidentiality. For example, therapists often participate in consultations, or “therapy for the therapist”, where it may be helpful to discuss your case. Also, disclosures of intent to self-harm or harm others may require your therapist to notify the legal guardian or a trusted family member. This is also the case where a child may be in need of protection. If there is anything you wish to discuss in therapy that you do not want shared with anyone, please discuss this with your therapist. In family therapy, it might at times be necessary to encourage more open communication between family members, and to address concerns and issues that have gone unacknowledged for years.
Psychotherapy is not free and for many there is a personal financial cost. If you have health insurance, it may pay some portion of the fee. Prior to beginning therapy we recommend you speak to your insurance representative and find out how much you are expected to pay and if there are limits to the number of sessions your insurance will provide.
Some research suggests that when one spouse or partner meets alone with a therapist to discuss problems involving the other partner, there is a chance that this could increase tension for a couple. Therapy may disrupt a committed relationship and sometimes may even lead to a break-up. For this reason, many relationship problems are best addressed with both individuals coming to therapy together. Under exceptional circumstances it may be helpful for one or both parties to attend individual sessions with the therapist to support the couples work.
Finally, not all therapy is effective. If you have been in therapy for several weeks or months, and it does not feel like you are making progress, you should speak to your therapist. It may be that you would do better with a different approach to therapy, or even with a different therapist. As therapists, we know that we cannot be everything to everybody, and we are comfortable helping you make a change if needed. If you wish for another professional’s opinion at any time, or wish to talk with another therapist, we will help you find a qualified person and will provide him or her with the information needed.
As a client with PEACE Psychotherapy, your information will be kept private and confidential. There are limitations to confidentiality. Your therapist is required, by law, to disclose information about me without my consent if:
The office is close to all three subway lines: Museum Station (5 minute walk), Wellesley Station (9 minute walk) and Bay Station (9 minute walk). Street and lot parking available.