Meet Heidi...

Heidi Petijova, MA, RP
She/Her

Registered Psychotherapist (RP)

Foundation

Age Group: 18 years and older

Top Specializations: Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Trauma and PTSD, Substance Use and Addiction, Self-harm, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and Behavioural issues.

Primary Therapeutic Approach: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy.

The modern society we live in can sometimes disturb our inner peace, separate us from who we really are, and make us feel disconnected from others. This disconnection can often be rooted in our unresolved past experiences, unhealthy coping mechanisms, negative thought processes and some of our deeply seated core beliefs. We can feel tired, demotivated, out of harmony, angry, or discouraged. Looking within, a who we are, is usually the first step to free us from such disconnection. By finding ways to connect with ourselves, our thoughts, and emotions before we connect with the outside world, we are better equipped to face life challenges and create positive change. In order to implement effective change, we first need to understand our true self and the root cause of our problems to find balance and our natural state.

As a trauma-informed therapist, I believe that some of our lived experiences may leave a long-lasting impact on our brain functioning and the way we see the world. Everything may seem blurry and scary at times, and we may have a tendency to want to control the process of healing by minimizing the pain and controlling our emotions. However, we do this only to find out it is making us feel even more stuck and in pain. I believe that healing is possible if we take time and allow it to be fully processed, acknowledged, felt, and moved through by being more present with ourselves.

I hold a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology. Over the past 2.5 years, I have worked as a trauma therapist in Ontario, Canada, treating clients with complex trauma, depression, anxiety disorders I also have experience treating clients with non-suicidal self-harm/injury and Borderline Personality disorders. I started my journey in the UK where I completed a Bachelor’s degree, and worked with the unhoused population who were struggling with mental health, addiction, and lack of meaning and purpose in their lives. After my completion of the British Psychiatry Diploma, I moved on working as an addictions counsellor helping individuals heal and process their traumas. My dedication is to help clients explore and dismantle the root causes of their emotional suffering, depression, anxiety, restlessness, destructive behaviour, low self-esteem, and work with them to find their inner resources, balance, autonomy, and strength to heal from trauma.

I apply CBT, trauma-informed, DBT, and psychodynamic practices and use humanistic, warm, gentle, compassionate, and non-judgemental approaches to connect with both emotional and physical experiences of mental suffering. I am here to work with you at your own pace, restoring your hope, and helping you find the path towards healing and your inner peace.

Experience Working With:

  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Anxiety and Panic Disorders
  • ADHD/ADD
  • Alcohol and Substance Use
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety
  • Behavioural Issues
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Borderline Personality (BPD)
  • Emotional Dysregulation
  • Self-Harm and Non-Suicidal Self-injury
  • Burnout/Stress
  • Chronic Impulsivity
  • Coping Skills
  • Depression
  • Low Self-Esteem
  • Stress
  • Substance Use
  • Interpersonal Difficulties
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Community Focus:

  • 2SLGBTQIA+ Community
  • Bisexual
  • Elders/Seniors
  • New to Canada
  • Non-Binary

Type of Therapy:

  • Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
  • Adlerian
  • Applied Behavioural Analysis
  • Trauma-focused
  • Cognitive Behavioural (CBT)
  • Cognitive Processing (CPT)
  • Compassion Focused
  • Culturally Sensitive
  • Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
  • Emotionally Focused
  • Existential
  • Psychodynamic Therapy and Psychoanalysis
  • Humanistic
  • Inner Child Work
  • Interpersonal
  • Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Multicultural
  • Narrative therapy
  • Person-Centered
  • Positive Psychology
  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy
  • Rational Emotive Behaviour (REBT)
  • Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
  • Strength-Based

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