Family Therapy in Nova Scotia

I provide a welcoming, supportive, non-judgmental environment for my clients working with adults and children using interventions that include strengths-based approaches, Attachment-based, mindfulness, Internal Family Systems and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I work through a trauma-informed lens assisting clients with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, abuse, career counselling, life skills, grief counselling, life changes and spirituality.

I help busy people get back their time and energy. Stressed at work, no time for yourself, challenges at home with family and boundaries, lost sight of your own personal goals and joys, finding your mindset is stuck in fear mode or worst-case scenario? Struggling with being an ADHD adult? These are all concerns of clients, and I have been where you are. Working in the areas of work, life and home, solution-focused coaching provides you with the opportunity to effectively reflective, review and actualize your goals. Finding joy is result of working with me as your coach/counsellor.

Are you in deep life transition, struggling with stress and anxiety and looking for a fresh approach to therapy that gets to the core of the issues? Whether its relationship challenges, trauma from our past, or knowing that there something that needs to shift but can’t find the reason, then I am here for you! I will help you access the vantage point to truly understand where the source of the struggles are and how a new freedom can be found on the other side. The only way out is through and it takes courage to face our past but it is always worth it in the end.

I work with both adults (19+) and couples, including first responders, military members, veterans, and people of all gender and sexual identities. I help people facing challenges related to posttraumatic stress and trauma, grief and loss, mood and anxiety, navigating interpersonal relationships, life changes and transitions, stress management and burnout – and other areas within yourself, your relationship(s), or your life that you feel most affected. I'm able to provide assessment and treatment for VAC, RCMP, and CAF members - individuals and couples. I do not accept clients involved in any legal/litigation or forensic processes.

I’ve been a Social Worker for over 34 years. I have worked with individuals in Adult & Child Protection, psychiatric units, and emergency departments. I have a passion in working with individuals living with mental illness and addictions. I have also worked with youth in complex cases and crisis situations. I have counselled adults and children in homeless shelters and youth involved in human trafficking. I have counselled individuals who are involved with Correction Services of Canada on parole, while they resided in half way house. I promote social justice, diversity & inclusion with a trauma informed family centred approach.

Michaela is passionate about working with children, youth and their families. She values the uniqueness of each family and their dynamics. Her areas of experience include anxiety, depression, attachment/development concerns, attachment disruptions, parenting concerns, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, and grief. She has specialized training in areas such as dialectic behavioural therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, Animal-Assisted Therapy and Lego Therapy. Michaela aims to run sessions with a client-centered approach that focuses on relationship building.

At the age of 50, you might be curious about my decision to pursue a master's degree and delve into counseling. Witnessing a close family member's struggle with addiction and journey from employment loss to deteriorating health, culminating in inpatient treatment, deeply impacted me. Through supporting their recovery and encountering compassionate professionals dedicated to mental health and addiction, I found my own calling. Encouraged by others, I embarked on my counseling journey, guiding individuals towards their own paths to wellness.

Szonja Vamos is a Registered Counseling Therapist, specializing in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and traumatic-stress. Originally of Hungarian and Russian decent, Szonja was raised in Miami, Florida, where she earned her Bachelors in Psychology, and Masters in Marriage & Family therapy. Szonja began by working with underprivileged children/youth and their families in community settings, and later with adults struggling with addictions and trauma. Szonja utilizes a client-centered approach to support those struggling with mental health and other challenges to develop a healthy present and recover from a painful past.

I am a seasoned therapist and I have worked with patients who have struggled with an array mental wellness issues. I use a wide variety of modalities to help patients understand some of the behavioral patterns they may be experiencing. I take a compassionate approach to help patients recognize their strengths and utilize them to move forward. I specialize in working with people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, adjustment to a family member’s illness or life stressors.

I thrive on navigating my clients through times of emotional distress, depression, anxiety, searching for meaning and purpose, need of connectedness, questioning of identity, values, looking for hope and peace. I feel confident in helping people find inner peace, mental tranquility and emotional calm through counselling and psychotherapy. I believe that a human being who is in search of reducing stress levels, boosting the quality of life, and achieving spiritual and mental sophistication and emotional stability would appreciate guidance and companionship. I would be glad to be at the service of my clients who feel this way.

I am a trans (male) therapist and part of the 2S lgbtqia+ community, with 11 years of experience in the field of counselling therapy. Clients working with me can find success with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, self-esteem, sexuality, gender identity, family conflict, and relationships. Identifying your most pressing issue is a good starting point for us to work from, and can lead you in the best direction for your healing. I specialize in trauma and C-PSTD, utilizing Internal Family Systems as my main approach.

I provide therapy to adolescents (12+) and adults for a wide variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, workplace stress and burnout, self-esteem, perfectionism, and relationship and family issues. With a compassionate and collaborative approach, I help clients better understand their emotions, patterns of coping and communication, and assist them in finding lasting solutions. I work with individuals of all genders, sexual orientations, and backgrounds, striving to understand each person within their surrounding sociocultural context. My theoretical background is integrative, drawing from emotion-focused, cognitive-behavioral, feminist, narrative, humanistic and mindfulness-based approaches.

Hi, my name is Steve Gates and I have been working in mental health for 15 years with 7 years working as a counsellor with the Nova Scotia Health Authority. In my work, I try to blend my training with your expertise about you. Using this approach, I have seen people make progress through situations that truly seemed impossible. In my experience, once people accept where they are and make realistic goals, they tend to make progress. The “feel better” part does seem to take time, but it tends to follow the changes.

Currently accepting new clients! Sessions conducted in person and virtually! Are you struggling with anxiety, depression; stuck with life changes? I work with individuals, couples and families. I work with families to build awareness of the role each person plays in the family dynamic and how each can affect necessary change. Through collaboration and reflection, we develop strategies specific to your needs and that promote acceptance of change as positive and necessary to move forward.

Feeling disconnected? Perhaps you're struggling to exist in a society that doesn't feel like its accepting of you? I specialize in working with clients who often feel they diverge from societal norms. I have special interest in working with clients who may describe themselves as belonging to these groups: Neurodiverse, LGBTQIA+, Ethically Non-Monogamous, Kinky, and/or those involved in non-traditional family/relationship dynamics. If this is you, now that you are not alone! My experience may not be the same as yours, but through collaboration, we can work together to help find the best treatment methods for your unique situation.

Dr. Michelle Tougas is a Registered Clinical Psychologist who works with youth and young adults. Her work focuses on striving toward value-based, mindful living. Michelle aims to guide improvement in daily function and self-compassion for youth and young adults with Anxiety, Eating Disorders, Emotion Dysregulation, Depression/Low, Interpersonal Communication, Mood, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Sleep Disruption, and Trauma.

I have extensive experience working with couples dealing with martial and relational issues. My systemic style of working with families helps build a strong bond between family members while exploring some potential root causes of discord. I also have a keen interest in working with parents on the many facets of parenting. Ranging from behaviour modification to raising children of character, integrity and respect. I also enjoy my work with individuals, starting from as young as 15 onward. I treat adjustment and mood disorders as well as anxiety, self-esteem, personal growth, stress/burnout, grief, and those dealing with separation and divorce.

Feeling overwhelmed? Difficulties managing your emotions? Stuck in depression, anxiety, grief, or chronic pain? Finding your relationship(s) a challenge? I have over two decades of experience working with individuals, couples, and families facing mental health issues, trauma/PTSD, difficulties with interpersonal relationships, chronic pain, grief, life transitions, and sexuality. I don't condone toxic positivity, but I do believe in radical acceptance. That doesn't translate into complacency, but acceptance that there are limits to our ability to control our surroundings.

ME Family Therapy & Resource Center has been providing individual, couple and family therapy for children, youth and adults since 1991. It is located in downtown Truro, Nova Scotia, the “hub” of the province and the company is privately owned and operated. It is a collaborative approach between the therapist and client in finding solutions to the presenting issues. Our mission is: “you and ME working together for a better you.”