Counselling Services in Vaughan · York Region Therapy

Brooklyn – July 1, 1928 – Photographer Unknown

Known as the ‘Al Capone of Brooklyn,’ Frankie Yale was shot by rival gang members. As he drove his Lincoln coupe while being injured, he later lost control of his car and landed on the front stoop of this house on 44^th Street. This was to be known to be the first New York mob hit that employed sub-machine guns. 

On this chilly day, flames consumed the church of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. This famous landmark was claimed to have been destroyed by the fire, yet today after much construction, it’s now rebuilt and studying tall. 


Brooklyn - July 28, 1957 - Original Photographer - Paul Bernius 

An inmate, who had been recently released from the Brooklyn House of Detention, needed some clothes.  He and two friends decided to steal a car and rob a clothing store. As seen in the original picture, they didn’t get too far. The autobody shop in the background has been noted to be still in business.  


66 Court St., Brooklyn - January 31, 1961 - Ed Peters 

Our tailored set of interventions will help:

• Reduce your symptoms related to your anxiety 
• Reduce the negative symptoms you experience when you do feel anxiety. 
• Enhance your quality of life (as demonstrated in clinical trials - internet search 'cognitive behavioural therapy and anxiety' and 'mindfulness and anxiety')
• Help you challenge your fears. 

Types of anxiety disorders we treat: 

• Separation Anxiety Disorder 
• Selective Mutism 
• Specific Phobia (i.e. animal, environment, blood, situational, other) 
• Social Anxiety Disorder 
• Panic Disorder 
• Panic Attack 
• Agoraphobia 
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder 

What’s Special about Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy?

There are many different therapeutic approaches that you may want to consider when choosing a counselling option. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is fairly new to the counselling realm, having only become more readily accepted in the mid-1950s. The approach has helped many people better understand how their thinking influences how they feel about a situation. Once people are better able to understand and challenge their thinking, they are better able to reduce their symptoms. The behavioural component helps patients by challenging them to perform behaviours that will help them reduce their symptoms of anxiety. This repeated exposure is needed to help patients challenge their thinking and feelings. This is sometimes done by persistently exposing patients to somewhat anxiety provoking situations. Careful attention is given to these situations so patients feel comfortable, confident and challenged when presented with an exposure exercise (i.e., having a client who fears elevators to step in and out of an elevator). A skilled psychologist will prepare a client for exposure by teaching them methods to help manage their anxiety in the moment.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a form of therapy that helps individuals live the life they want to live despite the anxiety symptoms being present. The purpose of this therapy is to challenge emotional avoidance and to help clients live fulfilling lives. Our goal is to help you live a more full and meaningful life while managing your symptoms of anxiety. This type of therapy has helped many cancer patients in remission manage their anxiety about the cancer returning at a later time. This has also displayed effectiveness with individuals with specific phobias.

Mindfulness Therapy

Mindfulness is a way of managing and directing your attention. The techniques and learnings help patients better understand how to intentionally focus one’s attention on the experience of the present time. This is done without judgment and in an accepting way. There is evidence to suggest that if a person accepts their anxiety, symptoms tend to reduce. An example of this is when an individual performs a public speech and notifies their audience that they ‘should be forgiven if they make a mistake because they are anxious.’ This awareness and acceptance tends to bring forth relief. Similarly, if this type of positive, accepting self-talk is taught to the patient, they too may experience relief from their anxieties. This self-talk and practice often require the patient to meet their symptoms of anxiety with compassion, interest, friendliness, and an open heart. Being kind to yourself when anxious is important in this process.

What is Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy? 

The goal of Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy is to expose yourself to your fears and do so until you habituate (lesson the fear). This is done through carefully crafted experiments that are done to help you expose yourself to a situation where you are comfortable and tolerable with the experience. We will never overwhelm you. The intent is to do what you are ready for, and we will help guide you through each activity with ease and care. As a Psychologist, I have personally led many people through exposure exercises. Not one person has described the experience as overwhelming. The goal is to make sure you are ready and willing to do it before beginning. Exposure and Response Prevention therapy is the gold standard treatment for anxiety-related disorders and OCD.