Colleen Ellis
MTS, Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist

*Serving Clients in Ontario*

Despite being a highly functioning individual who is independent, established  and confident, you are currently facing a challenging situation in your life that has thrown you off balance. You find yourself in uncharted waters, both emotionally and mentally. You are wondering if therapy can help.

In the wise writings of old, it is stated that there is a time for everything under the sun, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to be silent and a time to speak. There will be times when we feel stuck, uncertain of what the future holds, and uncertain of how to proceed. You may be struggling with the meaning of life, trying to make sense of pain. You may be having an existential or spiritual crisis. You might be facing the ending of a relationship, a career change, an impending loss, or a recent diagnosis.

As a mature adult I too have felt lost, blown off course by some of life’s inevitable challenges. Relationship issues, grief and loss, work challenges have left me feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, and even hopeless. I pushed through the fear and asked for help. Therapy made all the difference in my life and it can in yours as well.

George Elliott speaks of the kind of therapeutic relationship in which one can find healing: “Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words but to pour them all out just as they are chaff and grain together knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.”  This is the underpinning of my work with clients.

As a registered psychotherapist as well as registered marriage/relationship and family therapist I have learned through trial and error over the past 30 years what is most helpful for clients. Most importantly, I have learned:

  1. You are the author of change. It may be in the telling of your story that brings you healing. Or it may be the insight of the listener (therapist) that facilitates your breakthrough.

  2. You control the pace of therapy. It is a priviledge as a therapist to come along side you. I see myself as a collaborator rather than as an expert. This reflects my respect for you and empowers you to deal with what you are facing.

  3. Together we will find the therapeutic approach that works. Some prefer a solution-focused approach. Others prefer a cognitive-behavioral perspective. And others find that a narrative approach helps to make sense and find meaning in their life story. We will use the approach that works best for you.

I would be privilaged to work with you. I invite you to hit the Get Started Now button, ask for me (Colleen), to begin our work together.

Clinical Background and Interests

  • Registered Psychotherapist, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

  • Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

  • Master of Theological Studies

  • I have completed additional graduate and post-graduate programs, including:

    • Critical Incident Response For the Workplace

    • Family Addictions

    • Alternative Dispute Resolution

    • Marriage and Family Studies

  • I adapt my approach to my clients’ needs. Some of the therapeutic approaches I have found that work well with my clients include:

    • client-centred,

    • cognitive-behavioral,

    • narrative, and

    • solution-focused therapies.

  • I see clients with a variety of clincial issues. I have particular interest and expertise in the following areas:

    • Affairs

    • Blended family issues

    • Grief/loss, including pet loss

    • Divorce recovery

    • Family conflict/cut offs

    • Overfunctioning

    • Perfectionism

    • Life transitions

    • Relationship issues

    • Spiritual issues

    • Stress management

    • Workplace issues

  • I provide psychotherapy to individual adults (18+), couples, and parent-child (18+) dyads.

  • My hobbies and Interests: When I am not at work you can find me getting up early most mornings (coffee in hand) watching the sunrise, walking at a local park looking at birds through my binoculars, hugging every dog that goes by, and stargazing with my amateur telescope at night.

Thank you for allowing me to share my approach as a clinician. If you feel we are a potential match, please reach out to book an appointment with me. Hit the Get Started Now button - and ask for me - Colleen.

Congratulations on your courage in reaching out!