Psychotherapy in guelph & barrie, ontario
Therapy that feels human first
Our approach to therapy is grounded in the belief that meaningful change happens in spaces that feel genuine and collaborative. Where your human self remains at the centre. We offer individual therapy using CBT and DBT approaches. We work together to help you understand your patterns, navigate emotions, and build practical skills that support real, lasting change.
Therapy is unique because you are.
At A Mindful Change, we know life doesn't come with a manual, and if it did, most of us probably wouldn't read it anyway. Therapy here is designed to fit into your life, not compete with it. No perfection required, and no expectation that you have it all figured out before you arrive.
We use evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT to help you better understand your thoughts, emotions, and reactions, and, more importantly, what to do with that information when life feels overwhelming on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon.
Whether you're navigating stress, anxiety, low mood, relationship challenges, or one of those seasons where everything seems to happen at once, we focus on practical skills and strategies that work outside the therapy room. You'll find a space that is supportive, down-to-earth, and free of judgment. You don't need the perfect words or a clear plan, we'll figure it out together.
Whether it's your first time in therapy or you're returning for a reset, we're here to help you create change that feels realistic, meaningful, and sustainable.
Here’s what you can expect when you work with us:
A Collaborative Approach: Therapy here is something we do with you, not to you. Together, we get clear on what’s going on and what you want to shift, then work toward strategies that actually fit your life.
Personalized Care: No two people show up the same way, so therapy shouldn’t look the same either. We draw from CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and other evidence-based approaches, adapting things to match your needs, your story, and your pace.
Safe and Supportive Environment: This is a space where you don’t have to have it all figured out. You can slow things down, talk things through, and start noticing patterns without judgment or pressure.
Focus on Everyday Tools: Therapy is about more than talking, it’s about building strategies you can use in real life. We focus on tools you can actually use when things feel overwhelming, messy, or just hard.
Ongoing Growth: Change takes time. We walk alongside you with support, guidance, and feedback as you build resilience, insight, and confidence in how you move through life.
who we serve
Children & Teens 6+
Helping children and teens make sense of life's challenges while supporting parents in learning how to help.
Adults 19+
Therapy for anxiety, trauma, OCD, self-harm, relationship challenges, and life's more complicated moments.
Couples & Families
Building healthier communication, stronger connection, and practical ways to navigate conflict together.
Welcomed as you are
A space where you belong. A Mindful Change is a 2SLGBTQ+ affirming practice, and that means more than a label. It shapes how we show up. We welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions, and we are committed to care that is affirming, anti-oppressive, and genuinely safe. You shouldn't have to explain or justify who you are to receive good support. Here, your identity is respected, your relationships are honoured, and you are met with compassion at every step. Wherever you are on your journey, you don't have to walk it alone.
For life’s real struggles; real support.
Modalities We Use To Help You
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a practical, goal-focused type of therapy that helps you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are connected.
In simple terms, CBT looks at the patterns that can keep you stuck, like unhelpful thinking habits, strong emotional reactions, or coping behaviours that don’t quite work in the long run, and helps you learn new ways of responding.
You don’t just talk about what’s going on (though that’s part of it). You also work on tools and strategies you can use in everyday life to manage stress, anxiety, low mood, and other challenges more effectively.
CBT is collaborative and down-to-earth. Together with your therapist, you’ll focus on what’s happening in your day-to-day life and build practical skills that support real, lasting change outside of therapy sessions.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based treatment that combines individual therapy, skills training, and in-the-moment support to help people manage intense emotions, cope with stress, and improve relationships.
DBT is designed for people who may feel emotions very strongly, struggle with impulsive behaviours, experience frequent crises, or find it hard to feel steady in day-to-day life. It focuses on building both acceptance of your current experience and practical strategies for making meaningful change.
A full DBT program typically includes several parts:
- Individual therapy, where you work one-on-one with your therapist to understand patterns, set goals, and apply skills to real-life situations
- DBT skills training, where you learn and practice tools in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness
- Phone coaching, which provides brief, in-the-moment support between sessions to help you use skills when you’re actually in the middle of a difficult situation (not just after the fact)
- Consultation support for therapists, ensuring care is consistent and grounded in the DBT model
The focus of DBT is not just insight, but practical change, helping you build skills you can use in real time, especially during moments of high stress or emotional intensity. Over time, many people find they are better able to manage overwhelming emotions, reduce harmful coping patterns, and feel more effective in relationships and daily life.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is simply learning to pay attention to the present moment, without judgment. It helps you notice when your mind is stuck in the past, worrying about the future, or beating yourself up in the here and now.
Through practice, you’ll learn to focus your attention, accept what’s happening, and let go of unhelpful thoughts. This builds resilience, self-compassion, and empathy for others. And no, mindfulness isn’t meditation or a religion, it’s a practical skill anyone can use, no matter your beliefs.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps people process and recover from difficult or overwhelming experiences in a safe, supportive way.
It combines CBT tools with a trauma-informed approach, meaning we go at your pace and don’t rush anything your system isn’t ready for.
Trauma can show up as feeling on edge, getting flooded by memories, avoiding reminders, or feeling like your body is stuck in “something bad might happen” mode, even when things are actually okay.
TF-CBT helps you make sense of those reactions, reduce how intense they feel, and build practical coping skills along the way. This includes calming your body, managing strong emotions, and slowly rebuilding a sense of safety in everyday life.
The goal isn’t to erase the past, but to help it feel less overwhelming in the present, so it doesn’t keep running the show.
Prolonged Exposure
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is an evidence-based approach that helps people work through trauma by gradually and safely facing memories, feelings, and situations they’ve been avoiding.
After something overwhelming happens, it makes sense that your brain tries to help by avoiding reminders, places, thoughts, conversations, or even feelings. The problem is, avoidance tends to work like short-term relief that quietly keeps the anxiety going in the background.
PE helps you gently retrain that “alarm system” that’s been stuck on high alert. This includes talking through the memory in a structured way (instead of pushing it away) and slowly re-engaging with things that may have started to feel unsafe, at a pace that is planned, supported, and manageable.
No surprises, no “jumping into the deep end,” and no being pushed to do anything before you’re ready. Think of it more like slowly turning the volume down on something your brain has been blasting on repeat.
Over time, most people notice the memories feel less intense, everyday situations feel less loaded, and life starts to feel a bit less like something you have to brace for.
What we specialize in
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