Susan Monteith BA, BEd,
MEd Counselling Psychotherapy, Member OACCPP,
Prospective Member CAPT

Welcome to the Therapy Toronto site! I‘m glad that you’ve found us. It’s a tribute to you and your courage that you have taken this first step toward making change for yourself.

Change is hard, not because we don’t want to, because we do…but because it means changing attitudes, perceptions, values, things that we have become comfortable with and to part with them feels like giving up the very essence of ourself. And sometimes it just feels pretty scary to head into unknown territory. In my own change process I used to think that I was willing to change, to rewrite myself, and certainly in my intellect I was, but not really in the deep inner part of myself. But I pushed forward anyway and will always be grateful for whatever part of me insisted that I do that.

In the years that I have been practicing  I have had extensive experience helping people who are struggling with the following concerns:

• anxiety
• depression
• anger
• abuse (physical, emotional, sexual)
• dissociation
• grief and loss
• eating disorders
• children of alcoholics
• incest
• parent-adolescent conflict
• suicidal ideation
• self-esteem
• divorce/separation
• life crises
• traumatic events
• setting boundaries in relationships
• life's meaning and personal direction

My own therapy journey led me to study what is called psychodynamic or depth psychotherapy and this is the way I practice. It is a way of working that acknowledges the existence of an unconscious mind that influences our behaviour, thoughts and feelings. It is this deep part of our mind that makes us do things that we know are not good for us such as continuing in unhealthy relationship patterns, giving in to addictive cravings, behaving inappropriately, saying something we didn't consciously intend to say, or maybe acting in a way that makes us feel ashamed. And yet our unconscious mind is also the source of our deepest creativity and is our most trusted guide for our healing.

This therapy offers a way for you to explore your own life … old hurts and losses, angers and fears, the present day stresses of anxiety, insecurity and low self-esteem … how the past is affecting the present, and how you came to be where you are now. While we are working together my job is to be your guide and support you in a safe, respectful, non-judgmental way so that you can explore whatever problems bring you to therapy.

Clients who have worked with me have experienced:

• understanding and resolution to long-standing concerns and issues
• new insights that can lead to better ways of dealing with old issues
• greater self-confidence and well-being
• more realistic expectations of self and others
• less stress and anxiety
• relationships that become more fulfilling

This kind of therapy also helps people to identify their deepest longings, their lack of fulfillment and to open to their inner self. I believe that often it is our pain and suffering that create the opportunity to examine our lives and move towards a greater sense of meaning and fulfillment. This usually leads to a deeper connection to ourselves and others.

I enjoy working with dreams and fantasies and at times I use other methods such as imagery or visualization or deep relaxation to assist my clients with access to their unconscious mind. From time to time if you are interested, I will suggest certain readings or workbooks.

Relationship therapy with me

When I work with partners I focus on the deep emotional feelings that each has for the other, both negative and positive. I help partners express these feelings in a way that is productive and loving. I explore with them the themes that run through their interactions. The issues or themes generally come down to one or two and the content is less important than the feelings attached to them.

Relationships bring up our greatest pain. The closer the relationship the greater the pain. It is where emotional overreactions and under reactions are most numerous and where we are most vulnerable. This means it is also where we have the greatest opportunity for growth.

In working with couples I encourage emotional honesty and integrity between them; emotional honesty can be very hard but it has rewards in greater compassion and understanding of each other.

In my work with couples I bring to the sessions my belief in the strong connection between emotional intimacy and sexual intimacy. A strong emotional bond between partners evokes a healthy sexual relationship. As therapy progresses and couples become more closely connected emotionally then their sexual relationship also becomes more satisfying.

About my professional background

I have undertaken my own personal journey for many years within the  psychodynamic approach. Academically I have a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a Master’s degree in counseling psychology, both from University of Toronto. I also studied for three years at the Centre for Training in Psychotherapy.

 I have been in private practice in Toronto since 1992 and through these years I have had a lot of experience working with people who are struggling with a wide range of distressing problems. You can learn more about my work here.

Please contact me for a free consultation if you feel that I can be of help. My office is at Bayview and Eglinton.