286 Central Ave. London, ON. N6B 2C8

(519) 619-8801

Email: p.vanderheyden@rogers.com

"by appointment"

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Patricia Anne Vanderheyden

• Counselling for Individuals, Couples, Families & Groups.
• Workshops, Retreats, Seminars.

I am a psychotherapist in private practice in London, Ontario. I seek to serve my clients in a manner which honours the whole person; body, mind and spirit. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is a process of learning and unfolding for the client as well as the therapist.

My 20 years of experience encompass issues such as abuse, addictions, relationships (individual, couple, family), spiritual direction, grief, homosexuality, codependency, cancer, stress management, self-esteem, domestic violence, depression, parenting skills....

My varied expertise enables me to offer differing therapeutic tools and skills to reflect and meet the needs and uniqueness of each person.

ABUSE - Abuse of any kind ultimately diminishes our sense of self. I offer counselling for emotional, physical, sexual, religious and self abuse. These are sensitive topics and it is of utmost importance that the client feel as safe as possible in the therapeutic setting.

ADDICTIONS - My experience and training from The Meadows Treatment Centre in Arizona enable me to deal effectively with the following addictions: drug, alcohol, shopping, eating, religion, work, exercise, sex, gambling, T.V., computer/internet.

ANGER MANAGEMENT - Strategies to deal with out of control feelings will aid those who struggle with anger. We often tend to repeat what we have seen modelled during our childhood years. Anger management is re-learning new patterns and responses to pressure and situations that cannot be controlled.

ANXIETY - Panic attacks and phobias of any kind inhibit the quality of life. Often our very breath can be the tool to bring us the calm we need in tense situations. As well as learning coping skills to manage anxiety, one can learn to breathe effectively.

BI-SEXUALITY - see Homosexuality for information

CANCER - Coping with cancer affects everyone. As a cancer survivor, I have personally encountered this challenge. Family and friends as well as the individual who lives with cancer each day need help in coping.

CHILDREN - Children are great teachers for our personal growth. They can also be exasperating! Children will 'act out' their emotional questions and issues. Separation, divorce, relocation, A.D.D. / A.D.H.D. grief and depression are often difficulties many children experience. It is important to pay attention to the presenting behavioural problem and even more essential is to address the inner distress of the child.

CODEPENDENCY - Counselling offers help for the person who is largely defined by others' opinions. Usually people who are codependent have difficulty establishing boundaries. They need help to understand what boundaries are and how to effectively create and maintain them in their relationships.

COPING - We all need support at various occasions in our lives. Sometimes we are overwhelmed with the reality of life. Cancer, unemployment, losses of any kind, family difficulties...these can render us ineffective at times. Counselling can help us get back on our feet during these times of crisis.

DEPRESSION - Psychotherapy can be like a light shed on to the dark night of depression. Depression is often feelings that are 'stuck' and need to be expressed. Some depressions are chemically related and need to be supported by medical intervention such as anti-depressants. Both of these treatments can be effective in the healing process of depression.

DIVORCE - Rebuilding when your relationship ends is not easy. Often, our whole life is restructured. If children are involved, making the transition can be difficult. Psychotherapy can facilitate and help the 'letting go' process that is essential in moving ahead.

EATING DISORDERS - This process addiction is presented in anorexia, bulimia, overeating and eating disordered behaviour. Food addiction is becoming prevalent in our society as we become preoccupied with food. Help is available for this person to build up their self-esteem and to learn alternate ways of dealing with emotions.

FAMILY - Home isn't always 'home sweet home'. Family members bring out the best and the worst in each of us. Counselling can support the challenge of the relationships that often mean the most and cause us the most grief. New tools can be learned by each family member to enable respect and communication to thrive within the family unit. Special attention is usually needed in blended families, and those affected by separation and divorce.

FEAR - see anxiety for information

FOOD ADDICTION - see eating disorders for information.

GAY - see Homosexuality for information

GRIEF -Grief affects us all. The death of a loved one or someone we idolize (like Princess Diana), miscarriage, a relationship loss through separation and divorce, life losses such as a job or moving, coming to terms with one's sexuality...these realities can be supported with counselling. A psychotherapist can be a companion on the journey.

HOMOSEXUALITY - Discovering your sexual preference and 'coming out' is frequently difficult for the homosexual. Counselling for gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and their family members and friends often helps the transition process. Issues of homophobia can also be effectively dealt with in the therapeutic setting.

LESBIAN - see Homosexuality for information

PARENTING SKILLS - None of us received a manual for our child. So we do our very best and then we run into problems. They don't listen. They don't do their homework. They have problems at school. They can't get along with their brothers and sisters. Psychotherapy can help parents learn new skills and tools to deal more effectively with the difficulties of parenting. Sometimes, we need to let go of our previously learned habits and attitudes which diminish the self-esteem of our child. Counselling can identify and clarify the issues which impact the family and are in need of resolution.

RELIGIOUS ISSUES - Religious addiction and spiritual abuse are issues that are becoming prevalent. Many people use religious activities to escape dealing with their own emotions. Others are victims of a religious leader or church which imparts unattainable standards of conduct. In this sense, they are led to believe that they must fulfill these requirements in order to be a good 'Christian'. Their self-esteem often crumbles under the weight of these rules and regulations. Counselling enables these persons to increase their self-esteem, overcome shame and deal with the guilt that usually is associated with religious addiction.

REMARRIAGE / RE-PARTNERING - It's amazing how we choose partners that have similar qualities of the one we left, who left us or the one who passed away. Often this creates fear and could potentially inhibit the intimacy in the new relationship. We all come with baggage. Counselling can help sort out these issues and help each person heal and have confidence and success in their subsequent partnership.

SEPARATION - This is a time of crisis. Emotions are high and rationality is difficult to achieve. Stress at this time erodes most of our energy and at best we usually cope. Counselling is essential to the client to support these life changes and to enable a better adjustment to a world which is usually turned inside out.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION - This is an ancient term used to describe the process of having someone accompany us on our spiritual journey. Often those in clerical ministry find this helpful to enable them to be nourished and effective in their spiritual settings.

SPIRITUALITY - Some people want to explore spiritual concerns and ideas in a non religious setting. In my practice, I honour the spirituality of each individual and welcome the client's spiritual expression.