Self awareness and understanding
are the first steps to turning debilitating behaviours and habits
into productive ways of dealing with difficult issues.
ABOUT ME
Bonnie Levine
Registered Psychotherapist
I am a Toronto-based Registered Psychotherapist who has been helping people on their journey to living a more joyful life for the past 30+ years. I have a great love for the work that I do and I and I am committed to helping others on their healing journey. I have experience treating a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationship issues, parenting issues, sexual issues and weight management. I work with individuals, adolescents, couples, and entire families.
I hold a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology and Adult Education from The University of Toronto (OISE), an Honours BA in Psychology from the University of New Brunswick (at Fredericton) and a Child Studies Diploma from Sheridan College in Oakville. I am a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a certified Imago relationship therapist and sex therapist. I have been trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Brief and Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Mindfulness Meditation. I have a Certificate in Family Mediation from York University in Toronto and a Coaching Certificate from the Adler Institute in Toronto.
Recently, I have added another dimension to my work; I am studying the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy through the Couples Institute in San Francisco. The Developmental Model, much like Imago therapy, focuses on the dynamics of the couple relationship. This model helps couples build strong relationships by addressing both the intrapsychic problems of the individuals within the relationship and the interpersonal dynamics between the partners. This integration improves the couple's relationship and helps the couple grow together, and as individuals.
I was employed at Seneca College from 1987 to 2020 as a psychotherapist, disabilities counselor and psychology professor. In my role as disability counselor, I worked with students who had cognitive, psychiatric, physical and learning disabilities. In my role as psychotherapist, I worked with students with personal issues and vocational concerns. I taught Introduction to Psychology, Organizational Behavior and Learning Strategies. I have had a private practice since 2000.
WHAT I TREAT
My practice centres around brief therapy, which emphasizes a focus on specific problems and direct interventions. Brief therapy is often strategic, exploratory and solution-based rather than problem-oriented.
I believe in an integrative approach to psychotherapy, which involves a synthesis of various theoretical schools of thought, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness meditation. I use a variety of techniques tailored to each client’s needs and concerns.
My areas of expertise include:
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Couples counselling
- Career counselling and workplace issues
- Depression
- Effective parenting
- Family conflict resolution
- Grief and bereavement
- Sexual issues including sexual dysfunction and sexual orientation
- Stress and anger management
- Weight loss and weight management
My goal as a therapist is to help my clients increase their capacity to live a healthy and balanced life.
MY APPROACH
I believe in an integrative approach to psychotherapy, which involves the synthesis of various theoretical schools of thought. While using a variety of techniques tailored to each client’s needs and concerns, my aim is to create a safe and warm environment where clients can feel comfortable discussing their issues in a confidential and professional setting. The frequency of sessions and duration of treatment are reached jointly by the client and myself.
My goal as a therapist is to help my clients increase their capacity to live a healthy and balanced life. So often we can develop patterns of thought and behaviour that are habitual and familiar, yet unhelpful. Together, we can change old ways of thinking and behaving and gain insight into developing positive steps towards a model of living that offers more growth and joy.
Self awareness and understanding are the necessary first steps to turn debilitating behaviours and habits into productive ways of dealing with difficult issues. Change and healing can happen following knowledge and understanding of the issue; and it is through this change that allows us to free ourselves from chronic problems and live our lives with greater pleasure and freedom.
I am committed to the idea that in order for us to achieve some measure of contentment in life, positive and supportive relationships are essential, whether these relationships be with friends, family members or life partners/spouses. This can sometimes be a difficult and daunting goal.
In a supportive and nonjudgmental manner, I work with clients to help them find solutions to their concerns, as well as helping clients develop the tools to help them cope with their issues long after therapy has ended.
I believe that when therapists are dedicated to their own therapeutic process, it deepens their capacity to be present with clients. As a result of have having engaged in my own therapy, I feel confident that I am able to help you find the best path to healing and growth.
CONTACT ME
I offer day, evening and weekend appointments. I charge an hourly standard fee. My services are covered by some extended health care plans and some Employee Assistance Plans (EAPs).
I invite you to contact me if you have any questions, or would like to explore working together. I offer a free 15 minute telephone consultation.
Please feel free to call or email me.
705-513-1144
bonnie@bonnielevine.com
58 Blue Heron Road, Pefferlaw, ON L0E 1N0
PRIVACY
I am committed to protecting your privacy. I keep records of our sessions in a secure locked cabinet. With a few exceptions, no personal information will be disclosed to anyone without your consent. During our first session, I will be pleased to discuss those rare exceptions to confidentiality required by law.