Alex Belakovsky M.Ed. Psychology, OACCPP (c)

Русский

About Myself and My Philosophy

During my 16 years of work in a variety of mental health care settings, I was exposed to a diversity of clients suffering from different mental health conditions, belonging to different cultures, and who represented a broad scope of points of view on human behaviour and its meaning. Through those years I observed and wondered why some people get destroyed by suffering and emotional pain, while others not only don't get destroyed, but seem to become even stronger. These resilient individuals seemed to continuously grow just by going through those experiences. Resilience is the capacity to grow despite misfortune, gaining strength from challenges rather than surrendering to them. It really is a vital life-skill. And the best news is that resilience can be learned! That's a bonus, given that we cannot have complete control of our lives. Observing the positive effects of such resilience, I became more and more interested in helping others gain this capacity.

I believe that no single type of psychotherapy is comprehensive enough to address the complexities and predicaments of individual human existence. There really is nobody quite like you and my task is to work with your individuality. My philosophy of counselling includes assumptions that psychotherapy is not meant to focus on psychopathology and cure psychological ailments; this focus restricts choices and therapeutic engagement. At different life stages, and facing different challenges, you may be best helped by different approaches to psychotherapy. I draw from a variety of therapeutic approaches such as Dialectical-Behavioural (DBT), Cognitive-Behavioural (CBT), Gestalt, Narrative, Existential, Solution-Focused, Reality Therapy and Family Systems approaches. I have completed 1500 hours of supervised training in psychotherapy.

My Style

I am not a passive listener; my therapeutic style is active, transparent and interactional. I believe that the relationship between you and me is an important aspect of your therapy. I will inquire about your goals, dreams, hopes and aspirations. What you tell me about your goals, dreams, hopes and aspirations will help me to understand how you view your life and what it is that really matters to you. We can then work together in resolving the issues and challenges that you are facing.

I primarily work in the here and now. It does not mean that I am not interested in your past; I will inquire about your past in order to better understand your current difficulties and focus on the current events and ways of coping. Then, we will work together at achieving your goals and aspirations and finding ways to improve your quality of life and increase resilience.

At the same time, your feelings are just as important a part of the therapy, since they play a crucial role in guiding you towards a more resilient future. You are likely to notice that some of the ideas and feelings that you pay little attention to at the moment may emerge as significant guides to the future in terms of actions.

Psychosocial Oncology - cancer care and critical illness

This type of psychotherapy addresses the social, psychological, emotional, and quality-of-life impacts of cancer. When I work with a person or a family who is struggling with cancer, I address a wide range of very human needs, while paying particular attention to the emotional distress related to these multiple aspects of cancer care. I strive to offer support and counselling to people afflicted with cancer who have specific unmet needs related to coping with their illness, emotional distress, changes in relationships and at times planning for the next phase of their lives.

I can help you with issues such as

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Cancer Care and Critical Illness
• Loss and bereavement
• Relationship difficulties
• Healthy self-image / body-image
• Psychological impacts of immigration and readjustment
• Child-Parent conflict in the families of first and second generation immigrants and issues of acculturation
• Workplace stress/burnout and career explorations
• Trauma counselling and the desire to come to terms with neglect or sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
• Couples counselling
• Adult (16 years or older) ADHD
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), including help for families of BPD patients who do not want to get treatment
• Gerontological counselling: Aging with grace and dealing with frailty
• LGBTQ issues and explorations in sexuality
• Pet loss and coping with sorrow on the loss of your pet

I offer flexibility in scheduling, including weekend and evening appointments. Parking is available and the building and my office are accessible for people with disabilities. Should you have an extended health care plan benefits I will assist you with being reimbursed. Here's a map to my office at Finch and Dufferin.

Алекс Белаковский M. Ed. (психология), OACCPP

English

Здравствуйте и Добро Пожаловать на сайт посвещённый психотерапии. Прежде всего позвольте кратко обяснить, что такое психотерапия. Психотерапия - это профессиональный термин, охватывающий широкий диапазон роботы с людьми на психологической основе связанной с человеческими чувствами, мыслями, поведением и физиологическими процессами в головном мозге. За последние 116 лет психотерапия приобрела широкий арсенал методов помощи людям, чтобы понять себя и мотивы своего поведения, улучшить качество своей жизни и взаимоотношения с другими людьми и наконец справится с конкретными трудностями, например как депрессия, тревога, вредные привычки или конфликты в семье.

О себе:
Я выпускник факультета психологии OISE/Университета Торонто и член ассоциации психотерапевтов Онтарио.  Работаю в сфере ментального здоровья и психологической помощи 16 лет, а также преподаю клинические курсы в двух высшых учебных заведениях в Торонто. Мой подход к психотерапии является эклектическим. Он основан на том, что ни один конкретно изолированный вид психотерапии всеобемлюще не охватвает и не в состоянии разрешить трудности человеческого существования и человеческих взаимоотношений. Как психотерапевт я верю в то, что разные люди, находящиеся в разных жизненных ситуациях и сталкивающиеся с различными трудностями могут получить пользу от нескольких видов психотерапии.

Основные вопросы, по которым я могу вам помоч:

• Состояния депрессии и тревоги
• Консультаций семейных пар (marriage counselling)
• Психологическая травма
• Пограничное нарушение личности (BPD)
• Психосоциальная онкология
• Вопросы адаптации и стресса
• Алкоголизм и наркомания
• Вопросы сексуальной ориентации (LGBT Care)

Вы можете связаться со мной по телефону или по электронной почте. Я работаю по гибкому графику включая вечерние часы и выходные дни. Если вы обладаете страховкой с места работы то я помогу вам получить возврат от вашей страховой компании. Вот карта дороги к моему оффису-office at Finch and Dufferin на Финч и Дафферин.