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Learn more About Us
We’re a team of dedicated therapists based in Ottawa, committed to helping teens, adults, and couples navigate life’s challenges with resilience and support. Our approach is grounded in compassion, evidence-based practices, and the belief that therapy should be accessible, collaborative, and tailored to your needs. Here are some frequently asked questions about our clinic.
Learn More About Our Ottawa Therapists
Have questions about starting therapy in Ottawa? You’re not alone. Our FAQ section covers the most common questions we hear—from how to book a session to what therapy looks like at our Ottawa clinic. Whether you’re seeking individual therapy, couples counselling, or support for teens, we’re here to make the process clear and stress-free. We also explain important details about therapist qualifications, insurance coverage, and the different approaches we use—like CBT, DBT, and EMDR—right here in Ottawa.
Learn More About The Therapy Approaches We Use
Not every approach works for every person, and at Resiliency Clinic, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model. Our therapists are trained in a range of evidence-based methods, so we can match the approach to you, not the other way around. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or longer-standing patterns that feel hard to shift, the videos below walk you through some of the approaches you might hear about during your time with us.
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (BCT) and how is it used at Resiliency Clinic?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most well-researched, evidence-based approaches we use at Resiliency Clinic. CBT works by exploring the connection between your thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and physical symptoms — all within the context of your environment. The core idea is that changing one can shift the others. This approach is especially helpful for anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia, phobias, and a lot of everyday mental health struggles.
CBT is available in-person in Ottawa and virtually across Ontario and Quebec.
What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and how does it work at Resiliency Clinic?
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) grew out of CBT but was developed specifically for people whose emotions feel overwhelming or hard to control where the standard CBT toolkit wasn’t quite enough. DBT is particularly effective for longer-standing struggles, including self-harm, emotional dysregulation, personality-based difficulties, and patterns that feel deeply ingrained. It’s also helpful for anyone experiencing ongoing relationship challenges, instability at work, or risky behaviours they haven’t been able to shift with other approaches.
Read our blog post on How DBT Skills Can Help Manage ADHD: A Therapist’s Perspective.
DBT is available in-person in Ottawa and virtually across Ontario and Quebec.
What is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) and can it help with Trauma?
EMDR uses a structured process to help you revisit and reprocess difficult memories in a way that gradually reduces their emotional intensity. Over time, memories that once felt overwhelming become something you can hold without being pulled under by them.
It’s particularly well-suited for long-standing trauma — childhood abuse, accidents, or other deeply distressing experiences that continue to affect daily life. Several therapists at Resiliency Clinic are trained in EMDR and offer it as part of their practice.
EMDR is available in-person in Ottawa and virtually across Ontario and Quebec.
More About Our Resiliency Clinic Team From Our Founder, Michelle Sorensen
Our team includes qualified, compassionate therapists across a range of designations: psychologist, registered psychotherapist, and registered social worker. All three can provide effective, evidence-based therapy. The differences come down to training and scope, and most often matter when it comes to insurance coverage, as some benefit plans cover one designation but not others. It’s worth checking your plan before booking.
Most of our therapists are registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
Not sure where to start? You can request a 15-minute complimentary consult with any of our team members here.
What If I Can't Afford Therapy? Are There Affordable Therapy Options?
We understand that cost can be a barrier, especially for those without insurance coverage. That’s why we often have intern therapists available. These are master’s-level students in counselling and psychotherapy who are completing their practicum under supervision. Their sessions are offered at reduced rates, allowing us to provide accessible, low-cost therapy options right here in Ottawa in person.
It’s also worth knowing that many extended health benefit plans cover therapy with registered psychotherapists and supervised interns. If you’re unsure what your plan includes, a quick call to your provider can clarify as coverage is more common than people expect.
You can read about all the affordable options here. If affordability is a concern, let us know. We’ll do our best to find a solution that works for you.
What Does Success Look Like In Therapy and What Are The Benefits?
There are so many ways people can experience success through therapy and it’s not just for those in crisis. Success might look like someone returning to work after burnout, navigating relationship struggles, or healing family dynamics that felt impossible to repair. These changes might not always be visible to others, but they’re deeply meaningful—like when a parent rebuilds a connection with their teen, or an adult child reconnects with a parent.
Often, the benefits don’t stop there. When one person does meaningful work in therapy, the people around them feel it too. Therapy isn’t just an investment in yourself. It’s an investment in your relationships, your family, and the life you want to be living.
What Skills Do I Build in Therapy?
Therapy isn’t just about talking through what’s hard, it’s about building the psychological skills to handle things differently going forward. Think of it like training for a sport: the more you practice, the more natural it becomes. The difference is that in therapy, we’re building inner skills rather than physical one.
One of the most common and surprisingly challenging areas we work on is assertiveness. And it’s worth clarifying what assertiveness actually means, because it’s often misunderstood.
Do I Have To Be in Therapy Forever?
Not at all. While we do offer ongoing support for those who want it, many of our clients engage in short-term therapy based on their goals, time, insurance coverage, or finances.
Our goal is to help you build the skills and resilience you need to move forward confidently. Many clients “graduate” from therapy and return for booster sessions or additional support when new challenges arise.
What Should I Expect In My First Session?
From the moment you reach out, your experience at Resiliency Clinic is individualized. You’ll be connected with the therapist you’ve chosen, and they’ll guide you through setting up your appointment so you’re not navigating it alone.
Your first therapy session in Ottawa looks a little different from what most people expect. Rather than diving straight into the issue that brought you in, we take time to understand your whole story — your background, family history, relationships, and the experiences that have shaped you. Think of it less like a clinical intake and more like the beginning of a conversation that actually goes somewhere.
Book An Appointment
We’re here to support you—no matter where you’re starting from.