Here is a metaphor for the self that I really like:

Picture a group of Matryoshka (nesting) dolls. On the surface it looks like a single entity—with one well-designed, often elegantly painted face. (Perhaps a little like the face we tend to put forward for the world?) Beneath the surface, there is a series of other dolls, each identical in features, but varying in size, and tucked inside one another.   

These dolls represent different "parts" of us—the spiritual, emotional, social, familial, mental, intellectual, physical, and occupational aspects of who we are. Usually, like a Matryoshka set, one or two of these dolls will be quite large; they are the  highly  developed parts of us we've often spent years cultivating, and have come to identify with. The others may be quite a lot smaller; they are the tucked away and quieter parts of our lives. 

But all of them are at work below the surface, and all of them are implicated in our individual well-being. And sometimes, the yearning to develop the smaller dolls/the sense that something is out of whack pricks up. This can often be what brings us to therapy—a feeling of unease, or a longing to shift something.

Learning to pay attention to, and to nourish these parts can help bring them in greater balance with one another, which has a stabilizing effect and can be part of the foundation from which we learn to operate in our lives and relationships more skillfully and with a greater faith in our own resilience.

I think of holistic psychotherapy as an approach to well-being that takes the entirety of my client (i.e., each of those dolls) into consideration. This means looking at a broad set of factors that may be impacting the presenting issue that brings a client to therapy. Things like movement and nourishment, quality of relationships, quality of sleep, roles within the family or social networks, spiritual practices (whatever those may mean to you—I’m equally comfortable talking about your astrological chart or your Abrahamic faith, your mindfulness practice or your agnostic wonderings), habits of mind, creative fulfilment, and rituals and routines.

I invite you to reach out to me through the contact page or by email at hfairpsychotherapy@gmail.com so that we can arrange a free 15 minute intake call. This is to get a better sense of your needs, to ensure we are a good fit, and so that I can answer any additional questions you may have.

It depends.

My designation is as a Registered Psychotherapist. This means that I am a member in good standing with my governing college, the CRPO--College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.

Please note: Often/historically, it has been Social Workers and Psychologists who are covered under Psychology/Mental Health Counselling benefits. However, Registered Psychotherapists are increasingly represented in employee insurance packages (so it is worth checking).

Please note that the words Psychologist and Psychotherapist (which is what I am) closely resemble each other and this can be confusing. It’s important to be clear on this distinction when you check with your insurance provider, and a good idea to confirm your coverage with your provider in general so you are well informed of what is or is not covered and how many sessions you/your dependent are entitled to receive.

Therapy can also be claimed as a medical expense on your income tax return.