Registered Psychotherapist (Inactive)

Lisa M Kelly, RP (Inactive)

Individual and Couples Therapy

Therapy Downtown Toronto | Relationship

Relationships

Relationship therapist in Toronto

Relationships

A great relationship therapist in Toronto can help you to explore, understand and better navigate relationship issues. As a psychotherapist providing relationship therapy to individuals and couples for the past 12 years, I've seen how relationships begin, tick, thrive, falter and fail. Our quality of life depends on the quality of our connection, so knowing how to care for our bonds is essential. With training in 3 types of relational therapy and insight into people, attachment styles, interactions and communication, I hope to help you with your concerns.

Relationship therapy and relationship issues

Relationship therapy offers individuals (single or partnered) and couples a safe space in which to process experiences, explore relational patterns, contemplate decisions, hone communication skills and prepare for the future. Are you curious about your past and how you interact today? Or about others' expectations and behaviour? Wondering how your wounds and hopes play out in relationships? Or if your messages are received in the way you intended? Despite the best of intentions, relationship issues evolve and culminate in ambivalence, friction or a break-up. Explore options which lead to growth, intimacy, meaning and stronger bonds.

Psychotherapist for relationships and dating

As a psychotherapist in Toronto for relationships and dating, I hope to help you communicate and connect. Your clock ticks, friends marry and family ask about the one. While trying to transition from single life to dating and long-term commitment, your frustration compels you to question your checklist, choices and blind spots. Hoping to explore your fears about getting hurt, being alone or missing out? Looking to find the balance between freedom and attachment? You're a professional in your 20s-60s, whose search for an SO has been hard. Your dates go MIA or you abandon parts of yourself for a situationship. Tired of self-doubt? Email me about optimizing your success. Gain the mindset, resilience and tools to find, deepen and sustain love.

Therapy for a relationship break-up

Therapy for a relationship break-up helps single individuals to recover from loss - of connection, routine, self-worth and trust. Were you blindsided by an affair or an unexpected good-bye? Are you plagued with heartbreak, questions, loneliness and anxiety? Let's discuss your feelings, the unfolding of events, the future you lost, shifts in identity, core negative beliefs and what to do - now and later. Let's re-frame your story and prioritize your self-care. As a Toronto therapist for a relationship break up, I'm here to be a caring listener who helps you find the clarity, strategies and pride for moving on as a wiser, deeper you.

Life Transitions

Life transitions - psychotherapist in Toronto

Life TransitionsLife transitions therapy clients navigate changes in career, location and relationships. With change comes uncertainty, but also unexpected opportunity. How will you harness the possibilities? What story do you hope to tell one day? Or to be told about you?

A life transition made with the support of an experienced therapist can help you to clarify your purpose and ensure your actions serve your highest vision. Do you hope to live meaningfully despite your beginnings and current circumstances? Do you aim to connect with your true desires, catalyze your potential and become more fully you? 

Therapy for a life transition

Therapy for a life transition can help you determine which choices will lead to greater fulfillment. Put your best foot forward with the tools and attuned attention psychotherapy offers. Discover what's possible when you are more intentional about your passions. Contact me, Lisa M Kelly, Registered Psychotherapist in downtown Toronto about transitioning to a more ideal life. Success is persistence in disguise. Find how how to tip the balance in favour of what matters most. Let me help you identify your top values, discover what motivates you, hone your unique talents, craft a personal mission statement and act on your dreams.

Anxiety and Self-Esteem

Anxiety Therapist in downtown Toronto

Anxiety & Self Esteem

An effective anxiety therapist in downtown Toronto can help you to explore your self-doubt, Imposter Syndrome, anxious attachment style, people-pleasing, perfectionism and fears - of failure, conflict and saying no (or yes). I try to create a warm atmosphere in which you can understand your anxious tendencies and how to deal with them - in relationships and generally.

Anxiety is a natural response to our world of intense change, uncertainty, complexity, criticism, competition and demands. Where and when does your anxiety show up or get bigger? What role has it played in your life? Anxiety can unduly influence our choices and the course of our lives. Avoiding risks - or playing it safe - can limit opportunities for growth and connection. Therapy for anxiety can help you to speak your truth, make requests, set boundaries and engage in stress-reducing activities. Cultivate self-compassion: Let's consider what's good for you instead of questioning whether you're good enough.

Therapy for Self-Esteem

Therapy for self-esteem considers the impact of your experiences on how you see yourself and the world, and on how you deal with challenges. Do others' opinions and achievements matter more than yours? Do you hold yourself to impossible ideals and feel inadequate despite your success? Do you maintain relationships at your expense? Sadly, difficult experiences can compromise core beliefs, self-talk, interactions and quality of life. Therapists define self-esteem as our own evaluation of self-worth. When confident, we act on our genuine desires, tactfully express our true feelings, engage in nourishing relationships, trust our ability to navigate uncertainty and feel content to be a human being versus a human doing. Contact me about expanding your capacity for self-care, authenticity and self-appreciation.

Read more about anxiety, self-esteem and relationships on my anxiety page.

Loneliness

Therapist for loneliness in Toronto

Therapists define loneliness as the gap between a person’s actual and desired social relationships. We are wired for quality contact - face-to-face interactions, meaningful conversation and empathic, timely responses. We need to be seen, heard, understood and valued for who we are. We need to know we matter to those who matter to us - that there is someone to turn to, confide in and count on. We need to be assured that we belong, have purpose and make a difference.

Loneliness is often the by-product of this work-driven culture: People find themselves alone together - physically present but emotionally absent. Or alone yearning for social connection. Have you lost touch with your inner or outer world? Our relationships - with ourselves and others - can be sources of stress when ideally they should buffer us from stress. Therapy for loneliness can help you connect with your feelings, identify your needs and deepen your bonds with others. Please contact me about how I can be of support.

Loneliness

What causes loneliness?

  • a relationship break-up
  • the loss of a loved one, pet, job, home, relationship
  • interactions with an emotionally distant partner
  • a recent move, virtual work, isolation, being single, cost of living, long work hours
  • disconnection from your feelings and needs
  • social anxiety, low self-esteem, few relationship skills, no/ busy contacts
  • a life transition or mid-life crisis
  • illness, aging, racism, depression, not being “out” or mainstream
  • addiction to work, video games, gambling/ investing, shopping etc.
  • caring for others at home alone with few external involvements

Free Consultation Call

Free consultation call: The best predictor of effective therapy is the right fit with a great therapist. A conversation might help you to get a sense of whether my approach could meet your needs. Please email me to arrange for a phone call (up to 15 minutes) in which to discuss the possibility of working together virtually.

I am a registered psychotherapist in Toronto providing online therapy in Ontario for relationships, relationship issues, dating, anxiety, relationship break-ups, life transitions, communication, self-esteem and loneliness. Therapist in downtown Toronto serving Rosedale, Cabbagetown, the LGBT Village, the Distillery, Riverdale, the St Lawrence Market and Yorkville.

Psychotherapy in Toronto, Ontario

How can online therapy and counselling help you?

  • Are relationship issues with a partner, friend, colleague or family member contributing to anxiety, loneliness or low self-esteem?
  • Are you dealing with a life transition –  resulting from an affair, a relationship break-up, job loss, the death of a loved one or relocation?
  • Are you lacking purpose, meaning or joy? Have you lost touch with the activities and dreams that once energized you?
  • Are you facing a big decision? Settling for less than you would like? Worried you may never find a better partner or job? Afraid to go life alone?
  • Did you recently move? Do you feel isolated, alone, lonely or in need of a caring listener? Do you wonder how to meet people, make friends or date?
  • Do you fear being judged or burdening others? Is there no one to confide in or count on?
  • Are you stuck in negative patterns at work, with family, friends, your partner? Do unresolved issues undermine your relationships, confidence and potential?
  • Are you hoping to reclaim, integrate and revitalize neglected or forgotten parts of yourself?
  • Are your fears limiting your ability to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life?
  • Are you looking for a nice way to speak your truth or initiate a difficult conversation?
  • Are you preoccupied with work? Do personal relationships suffer from your inattention? Is work your main source of self-esteem? Does your career distract you from difficult feelings? Do you lack interests, hobbies and friendships apart from those associated with work?

Is Psychotherapy Covered by Health Insurance?

Psychotherapy - or individual therapy and counselling - online or in-person - is often covered by extended health insurance. Call your provider to review policy details: coverage for registered psychotherapists, psychologists or social workers, your annual allowance, renewal dates and session fee caps.

Relationship Issues

Relationship Issues and Dating

When relationship issues inevitably arise and recur, you wonder how to move forward and whether therapy could help. Quality relationships - which are so key to well-being - require consistent, skilled attention. A therapist can help you to gain the insight and tools to create and maintain fulfilling partnerships.

Individual therapy for relationship issues

Individual therapy for relationship issues can help you to process relational experiences and concerns, as well as develop strategies for constructive change. A relationship can be a source of connection and support, but also a source of anxiety. Do you clam up for fear of disappointing or hurting your partner? Do you reflexively prioritize your partner's needs over yours? Exploring these and other issues with a caring therapist could be lead to positive shifts.

How can a relationship therapist for singles help?

A relationship therapist for singles can help you to gain the clarity, skills and support needed to improve your dating life and build meaningful relationships. Accomplished, attractive and articulate professionals - BIPOC, white, LGBTQ or straight singles - experience self-doubt around dating and relating. Do you find yourself in situationships rather than in a loving partnership? Finding the best relationship therapist in Toronto to help with your particular concerns is essential. A relationship expert can help you get to the bottom of recurrent issues and find antidotes to common relationship killers.

Psychotherapist for relationships or a relationship break-up

As a psychotherapist focused on relationships and relationship break-ups for over a decade, I know that great partnerships require more than shared experiences, interests and values. Caring for the bonds we depend on is a complex art which calls for daily effort. I offer individual therapy that can help you to process relationship issues, recover from a break up and acquire relational intelligence essential to progress.

Individual therapy for dating and relationships

Individual therapy for dating and relationships offers insight into the complexities of human interaction so that you can better navigate dating and single life in Toronto. Much of what we do daily is about getting love or compensating for its absence. Has your search for The One - on apps and in real life - left you discouraged, anxious and taking time out? Transitioning from dating to meaningful connection is no easy feat. You must:

  • know exactly what you want and how to communicate that in ways others can hear
  • know how to honour your feelings, needs, dreams and bottom lines
  • develop excellent relationship skills and be intentional about your dreams
  • know how to handle your and others' anxious/ avoidant attachment styles

A dating coach offers tips and advice. But a therapist for dating and relationships can do more - by helping you to explore and resolve beliefs and behaviours which undermine your ability to connect. Contact me about developing the mindset, habits, skills and resilience needed to find and create the relationship you desire.

Learn more about relationship issues on my couples therapy page.

Finding Online Therapy in Toronto, Ontario in 2023

How do you find the right online therapy or Toronto therapist for you in 2023? Research shows that the therapeutic alliance - the rapport between a client and therapist - is key to best therapy outcomes. In other words, effective therapy is not solely determined by a counsellor's or psychotherapist's modality, experience, expertise or credentials. If you'd feel more comfortable opening up to a BIPOC, LGBTQ and or female therapist in Toronto, request a consultation and notice how you feel. Does the therapist appreciate your experiences, concerns and needs? Know and express your hopes: Are you seeking individual therapy for a relationship? Or tools, insight and fresh perspectives for a variety of issues? Would you prefer a directive, passive or collaborative approach? Are you looking for a professional who mainly listens or who is also emotionally present and responsive?

Learn about finding a relationship therapist on my therapy page.

How Can Psychotherapy Help?

Psychotherapy - or individual therapy - can help you:

  • improve self-awareness and develop skills for navigating challenges
  • explore relationship issues, personal patterns or other concerns
  • gain inspiring perspectives that open up possibilities for positive change
  • custom build a more meaningful, fulfilling life
  • reflect on your experiences, feelings, needs and options
  • arrive at your own insights, decisions and way forward

The Cost of Individual Therapy in Toronto in 2023?

The costs, prices and fees for individual therapy in Toronto in 2023 vary depending on

  • whether you see a registered psychotherapist, psychologist, social worker or counsellor
  • the therapist's experience, education, location and session duration
  • the extent of your annual health insurance coverage and how it applies 
  • whether your therapist works virtually (online) only or also in person (hybrid)

Psychotherapy as an Investment

Psychotherapy might be the most important investment you ever make. Why? Because it helps you to live more intentionally - ensuring your choices align with your needs and values. To a great degree, your future is based on your self-awareness, the quality of relationships you cultivate with yourself and others, your commitment to meaningful goals, your ability to handle challenges and the caliber of support you receive. Working with a registered psychotherapist could lead to insights and skills that help you improve your situation, confidence and well-being. Invest in your personal growth and discover how to navigate personal and professional interactions with greater authenticity and sensitivity.

Relational Therapy in Toronto, Ontario or Online

Relational therapy could be a good place to start

Relational therapy is founded on the idea that close, meaningful relationships - with ourselves and others - are key to our well-being. I am a Registered Psychotherapist, trained in three forms of  Relational Therapy: Gestalt Therapy, EFT Couples Therapy and Gottman Couples Therapy. Gestalt therapists can empower you to relate authentically. EFT and Gottman couples therapists can help you build stable, secure relationships.

Looking for an individual relationship therapist in Toronto - or a seasoned couples therapist? I work with LGBTQ/ straight and BIPOC/ white people and would be happy to support your personal and relational growth. It is possible to be more emotionally present, open and engaging. I offer online therapy in Ontario and my psychotherapy office in downtown Toronto serves Rosedale, Cabbagetown, the LGBT Village, the Distillery District, Riverdale, the St Lawrence Market and Yorkville.

For more about relational Gestalt Therapy, see the about page.

Your communication and relationship skills: Do you have what it takes?

A fulfilling life is founded on quality relationships. Those bonds - with partners, colleagues, friends and family - deepen with the help of relational intelligence and communication skills. Imagine how much better your life could be if you were more attuned, receptive, empathic, intentional, courageous, expressive and able to negotiate on your own behalf? Tell me about your unique challenges and how the relational skills you aim to gain in therapy might help.

Reviews of the Best Psychotherapists in Downtown Toronto in 2023

Reviews of the best psychotherapists in downtown Toronto though interesting, may not help you find the right professional for you. To find a therapist, consider using Google search terms specific to your needs - for example, "individual therapy for a relationship in downtown Toronto." Or "BIPOC LGBTQ relationship therapy near the Gay Village" or "registered psychotherapist in downtown Toronto for dating and relationships." Presumably you are looking for a skilled, sincere professional with whom you can have a positive experience of therapy. So, to get a good impression of a therapist and potential fit, review your options and request a consultation. Luckily many Toronto therapists offer a free call.

Finding a great psychotherapist for your relationship in Toronto

 

To find a great psychotherapist for your relationship in Toronto, it helps to know what you're looking for. Research indicates that the best predictor of effective therapy is rapport between the therapist and client. What do you seek in the best relationship therapist for you? Experience, warmth, insight? Do you hope to explore particular issues? Process events? Get fresh perspectives? Gain greater self-awareness? Or tools, skills and strategies with which to move forward? When consulting with professionals, it's important to express your particular hopes.

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