​PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Monday - Friday

8 am. to 4 pm.

Evening appointments can be arranged
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+1-819-430-3170

wilkiecounselling@gmail.com

OPQ Permit #60553-13

​To ensure the health, safety and comfort of my clients I am no longer offering in-person sessions.

Clients often prefer remote therapy as they can access confidential therapy sessions from the comfort of their favourite chair at home or fit in a session from their office. 

Videoconferencing takes place through a platform called Cisco Webex. This platform is similar to Skype or FaceTime, and also conforms to the Canadian regulations set out in PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act) and PIPEDA (Personal Information and Electronic Documents Act). 

​Lois Wilkie

BScN MA | Psychotherapist

Individual, Couple and Family Therapy 

About me​

​
I have an intense desire to help people achieve optimal health and wellness. My career in healthcare began with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 1984. From 2000 on, I have focused on mental health and obtained a Masters Degree in Counselling in 2004. I have worked in private practice ever since, further developing my understanding on how to help individuals, couples and families struggling with the stresses in life that cause strain on mental health and overall well-being. I firmly believe in the saying that “there is no health without mental health.” We all seem to know what we should do for our physical health but taking care of our mental health can be less obvious. My passion and desire is to provide individualized therapeutic approaches that are empirically validated and integrate my many years of experience in practical ways that empower and heal.​

Who is a psychotherapist?

Since June 2012, in Québec, the practice of psychotherapy has been a reserved activity by law. This means that only those holding a psychotherapy permit issued by the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec may use this title. Psychotherapists do not diagnose mental health conditions or prescribe medications but provide treatment to ease psychological suffering or difficulty.

What happens in psychotherapy?

I offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation to answer any questions and to ensure I am the right therapist for you.

Initial Assessment
The initial assessment is very important to ensure I have all the information to accurately understand your needs, your expectations regarding therapy, your strengths and difficulties, the nature and origin of the problem, past therapy experiences. This assessment usually takes 1- 2 sessions.
 
Follow-up Sessions
Each session last 50 minutes. After I have established a full assessment and treatment plan we both decide on the frequency of sessions, most often on a weekly basis in order to keep the focus on your specific goals. I work with a multi-faceted approach and customize a treatment plan that suits your specific needs.  

The approaches I use
 
Cognitive-Behavioural Approach
Cognitive-Behavioural approach is effective in treating a variety of mood and anxiety disorders. It focuses on understanding the power of our thoughts over our feelings and behaviour. It is proactive and solution oriented.

Existential-Humanist Approach
This approach believes that all human beings are capable of working through difficulties in their lives and have the ability to realize their own potential. This therapy provides the conditions necessary to gain this sense of clarity, control and self-empowerment.  

Psychodynamic-Analytical Approach
Psychodynamic theory states that events in our childhood have a great influence on our adult lives, shaping our personality. Events that occur in childhood can remain in the unconscious, and may cause problems as adults. This therapy helps clients gain insight into past conflicts in order to understand them and then develop more adaptive behaviours.

Emotion-Focused Therapy
Emotion-focused therapy is based on methods designed to help people accept, express, regulate, make sense of and transform emotion. Recent years have seen greater use of emotion-focused therapy for individuals and couples, both because of its status as an evidence-based treatment, and also because it focuses on the development of emotional intelligence and on the importance of secure relationships.

Mindfulness Cognitive Based Therapy
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy incorporates mindfulness practices such as meditation and breathing exercises. Using these tools, clients learn how to break away from negative thought patterns that can cause a downward spiral into a depressed or anxious state.

Are psychotherapy services covered by insurance?

Certain private or group insurance policies reimburse the cost of my fees in whole or in part. Please contact your insurance provider to find out if my services are covered by your policy. In many cases, fees for psychotherapy may be tax deductible, as they are considered fees for health services. I provide a receipt after each session.

What methods of payment are accepted?

Payment is made at the end of each session by cash, cheque or e-transfer.

Other services I offer

Talks, training, and workshops. Topics have included mindfulness, stress reduction, building self- esteem in children.

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For more information about psychotherapy, please see the Ordre des psychologues du Québec.