top of page

PSYCHOLOGY

Hike_edited.jpg

Dr. Ryan Wilson does occasionally work with couples, but the majority of his clients are individuals. His primary approach to individual psychotherapy is informed by Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). The basic understanding of mental health disorders from an ISTDP perspective is this:

Human beings are social creatures. As such, our relationships, our attachments are critical to our health. Sometimes attachment bonds are damaged by things like loss of a loved one, abuse, or separation from parents as just a few examples. Damage to those attachments often trigger many emotions including love, grief, anger, and guilt. These emotions are either worked through and released or avoided and blocked up.

Happy Family _edited.jpg

We might have learned to avoid unwanted feelings by becoming tense and worrying (anxiety), fearful of social situations (social anxiety), becoming hopeless and self-critical (depression), becoming physically ill (migraines, heartburn, upset stomach), or turning to addiction (drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc).

Events later in life, such as divorce or death of a parent can often re-trigger old memories and the blocked up emotions connected to those old events. When we are faced with having to deal with the mixed feelings of both the present day and the past our symptoms of anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties get worse.

 

There are two major goals in therapy:

1) Help you see  the automatic ways you avoid mixed, often painful feelings, and

2) Work through these avoided feelings in order to release them

​

Once those emotions are worked through we no longer need to engage in avoidance behaviours  because we no longer fear the memories or the emotions and the presenting symptoms of anxiety, depression, etc. subside.

​

ISTDP can be a very challenging form of therapy, but it is an excellent format for Physical Symptoms (often referred to as Somatic Symptom Disorders) and it is capable of producing rapid and sustained relief from the physical manifestations of emotional distress, including: tension headaches, migraines, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Fibromyalgia, muscle weakness, fatigue, tic disorders, and some forms of cognitive difficulties.  It is also very effective for many mental health difficulties, including – Anxiety, Depression, Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), personality disorders, interpersonal difficulties, and more.

​

You do not need a referral from your Family Doctor. You can learn more about Dr. Wilson or book an appointment at his website.  Alternatively you can contact our office via our contact page.

MARRIAGE COUNSELING

In my experience, most relationship difficulties stem from communication challenges. One or both partners feel unseen, unheard, and not valued. Frequently, the sense of trust and safety has been broken and needs to be repaired. 

Image by Yoann Boyer

My approach to couples therapy integrates Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and a Systems Approach. In other words, we will aim to understand how each individual in the relationship tends to react when their own sense of safety is threatened and how those reactions affect their partner. We can then begin to find ways to open lines of communication and re-establish the bond that brought you together in the first place.

COGNITIVE REPAIR

There are many different ways that the brain can be damaged – a car accident, a stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, dementia, depression, and more. Brain injuries often affect our thinking abilities and can interfere with normal activities such as going to work, paying bills, reading, or even remembering conversations with loved ones.

Embracing on a Bench

It is possible to improve our ability to pay attention, remember, and complete our daily activities through brain training exercises. Cognitive repair treatment programs involve:

  1. pin pointing your specific thinking difficulties (e.g., can’t remember what I read, can’t cook a meal).

  2. Working together to find out which strategies work best for you -  one size does not fit all.

  3. set regular homework to practice using the newly learned strategies in your everyday life.

 

Cognitive repair needs a lot of practice to be effective, but with time it can really help you improve your thinking skills, improve your self-confidence, and increase your independence.

Cognitive Repair

INSOMNIA

Good sleep is a foundation for good physical, mental, and emotional health.

Do you struggle with at least one (1) of the following:

  1. Having a hard time getting to sleep?

  2. Having a hard time staying asleep?

  3. Waking up extremely early without being able to get back to sleep?

Do your struggles with sleep contribute to difficulties in your relationships, at work, at school, or other important areas of your life?

Do you struggle with your sleep more days than not (3+ nights a week)?

Have you been struggling with your sleep for a long time (more than 3 months)?

If you answered yes to these questions, you may have Insomnia

​

​

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a short, structured, and evidence-based approach to managing the frustrating symptoms of insomnia. CBT-I is considered first line treatment for primary insomnia by the American College of Physicians and the Center for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH)

 

In as little as four (4) appointments (8 weeks), CBT-I can help you:

  1. fall asleep faster

  2. stay asleep

  3. feel more rested during the day.

 

The program will help you:

 

  1. Understand how sleep works and how to improve it

  2. Change your relationship with sleep and with your bed

  3. Learn how to use techniques like muscle relaxation

  4. Create clear rules around sleep habits

 

Up to 80% of individuals who try CBT-I experience improvements in their sleep.

 

Treating Insomnia has also been effective in helping improve other conditions such as Anxiety, Depression and Chronic Pain.

bottom of page