“We all wish to belong. It is through those who care deeply about us that we find love and purpose in our lives. After all, we are all imperfect beings who need one another” — Haemin Sunim
“We’re all just walking each other home” – Author unknown
Are you feeling overwhelmed by stress and daily life challenges? Have you had an unexpected crisis? Are you struggling or feeling stuck in your relationships? Let’s talk. I’m here to help!
As a Registered Psychotherapist, and couples and family therapist, I strive to work collaboratively, and to listen with empathy, compassion and non-judgment so that individuals, couples, and families feel comforted, supported and understood. Our work together often involves helping you, the client, become more aware of unhelpful patterns, and develop skills to better manage stress, solve problems, communicate positively, resolve conflicts, build trust and intimacy in your relationships, clarify life goals and values, and find hope. I am also trained to offer clinical supervision to other therapists and EMDR to help resolve trauma or other issues that might be interfering with your relationships.
I help people with a variety of issues including:
Individuals (older teens and adults)
- Anxiety, social anxiety and stress management
- Depression
- Grief and loss (including ambiguous loss, and anticipatory loss)
- Codependency, people pleasing and boundary setting
- Caretaker stress and burnout
- Shame and self esteem associated with neurodiversity and its effects
- Narcissistic abuse recovery, Healing from narcissism, neglect, and toxic parenting
- Family conflict, estrangement, reunification and repair
- Parenting, co-parenting, and step-parenting; blended family challenges
- Marriage and pre-marriage counseling, divorce, decoupling, infidelity, ethical or consensual non-monogamy (CNM/ENM)
- Midlife grief, anxiety, loss, transitions, identity and growth
- Life, school & career transitions
- Dating & navigating relationship anxiety
- Infertility and IVF pathways, pregnancy loss
- Trauma and PTSD
- First Responders – relationships, work related trauma (EMDR available).
- Teacher Training: with Emotionally Focused School Support or EFSS
- Caregiver support: I draw from the Emotionally Focused Family Therapy for Caregivers
My approach is in part, collaborative, integrative, eclectic and relational — which means I tailor my approach to meet your specific needs. It also means I pay attention to the space between you and the people in your life, not just what’s happening inside you (but that too!). Relationships shape us, and sometimes they can hurt us. But they can also be where deep healing and growth happen. In our sessions, I help you better understand your patterns, communicate more openly, and build stronger, healthier connections with the people who matter most.
My approach is also down to earth and warm, and also direct, interactive, and practical. I have been trained in a number of relational, evidence-based models of therapy including EMDR, IFS, EFFT, EFT, Gottman, RLT, MCBT, Self Compassion, ACT, and I draw from those models to tailor our work toward your specific needs and goals. I bring maturity and wisdom, that comes from personal experiences, and many years of treating a wide array of issues.
While I treat clients across Ontario and also some outside of Ontario, it is important to note that my services are also quite localized, because I understand the unique stresses and rhythms of living here in Hamilton, Burlington, and the GTA and GTHA. I’ve built my practice to support people in our community who are navigating everything from family struggles to career stress to the quiet loneliness that can creep in even when life looks ‘fine’ from the outside.” I offer a hybrid model of counselling with video, phone and in-person at my office near the Locke Street area as well as walk and talk therapy. I may be available to conduct sessions on-site, on occasion if necessary, to accommodate locations and schedules. Please know I may offer a small, sliding scale based on income and ability to pay where possible.
Please click here to email for an initial consultation or to book a first appointment. Email: cortney@ontariotherapist.com. You can also text or call 647-617-2235. Please note that the phone is the slowest way to reach me. Email is the fastest. Additional profile information on Psychology Today.
Email is the best way to reach me at: cortney@ontariotherapist.com (remember there is no “u” in Cortney)
Conveniently located office:
287 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON (Near Locke and Queen Streets) 
“No dress rehearsal. This is our life”.
– Tragically Hip
* Please note that if you are experiencing a life threatening emergency or acute emotional crisis, you should call 911, COAST (for kids), or go to your nearest emergency room.