http://www.risinginsightcounselling.com/

Rising Insight Counselling and Psychotherapy, London, ON (2025)

05/26/2023

We’re introducing one of our Registered Psychotherapists: Amy Hatcher!

“As humans living in the world, our paths are often winding and unpredictable; much of my own journey has been like this. There are things that happen to us, sometimes mere moments in time or prolonged stages of life, and people we meet that shape who we are and who we choose to become. I was a sensitive, impulsive, friendly, busy, and outgoing child who grew up to be a thoughtful, sensitive, and somewhat introverted adult.

I knew that I wanted to help others from a young age, but allowed myself to be convinced by those around me who cared that I was too sensitive to be in any of the helping professions. I went to work in a variety of settings, none of which totally “fit”. I became the sole parent to a wonderful now adult son. I decided for a variety of reasons to go back to school at a later stage in life. Ironically, one of these reasons was that I sought out counselling and other mental health support that was not very helpful. This helped to shape the way that I work with others and I learned how to be attuned to the needs of others without ignoring or suppressing my own. I prioritise listening to help others feel heard and seen. To paraphrase Epictetus the Greek philosopher and my Dad as I was growing up, we have two ears (and yes, two eyes) and only one mouth - respond accordingly. By seeing and hearing others, it is my greatest hope that I can support them to see themselves in the best possible way.”

To learn more about and book with Amy, head over to www.risinginsightcounselling.

05/02/2023

We’re introducing one of our Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying): Julie Gosen!

“Hi there, I'm Julie (she/her)! I'm passionate about creating a safe space for my clients to explore life's challenges. I'm in the midst of completing my Master of Psychotherapy at Wilfrid Laurier University, and I have over five years of experience in the mental health field. I work with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, chronic pain, ADHD, self-esteem, and couples counselling and I'm particularly passionate about supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and the q***r community. I know what it's like to be neurodivergent in a neurotypical world and all that encompasses, and I'm here to tell you it doesn't have to be a bad thing.

I believe therapy should be a collaborative process and I'm here to help make it as comfortable as possible. I'm open to working with people of all ages, from children and teens to students, parents, and couples. I use a person-centred and eclectic approach to help you tap into your own resilience and feel empowered along the way. I also understand how daunting it can be to find the right therapist, so I'm here to answer any questions you may have. Therapy doesn't need to be a dreaded experience - let's work together to make it an enjoyable and rewarding one!"

To learn more about and book with Julie, head over to www.risinginsightcounselling.

02/28/2023

We’re introducing one of our Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying): Sarah Pinhal!

“My family immigrated to Canada when I was 6 years old. I was a competitive swimmer and learned to push myself at an early age. Perfectionism, self-doubt and anxiety plagued my life as the feeling of never fitting in, the feeling of being inadequate and not measuring up to someone's else's standards was my narrative for many years.

As an adult, I began competing for the Ontario Physique Association, and also started my journey as a personal trainer. However, I quickly realized if I wanted to help myself and my clients succeed with their physical selves I would need to understand the power of the brain in greater depth. Through my own journey and education, I have learned that the physical and mental selves are connected and in order to achieve optimal well-being, we have to learn to balance these two states.

I love working side by side with my clients, empowering them to release their unhelpful narratives which leads to a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life. As a mom of 4 children, I understand the difficulty in navigating healthy relationships within the family system, and I look forward to working with you helping you achieve your goals and your calm through the storm.”

To learn more about and book with Sarah, head over to www.risinginsightcounselling.

02/22/2023

We’re introducing one of our Registered Social Workers: Kevin Krista!

“My name is Kevin Krista and part of my journey that has led me to becoming interested in practicing therapy comes from the power that effective therapy can have to help heal.

Growing up like many people, I struggled with big emotions such as sadness, fear, and anger. I also struggled at times to find a secure base that could sit with these difficult to feel emotions and help me organize them. As I result, this would often lead to behaviours that would make me seem small, weak, mean, or foolish. At times, it would also lead to either myself or others feeling hurt.

Through my journey in becoming a practicing clinician, I have had the privilege to learn many different skills, techniques, perspectives, and core beliefs that have helped in my own healing and my strive to becoming a bigger, stronger, kinder and wiser person.”

To learn more about and book with Kevin, head over to www.risinginsightcounselling.

02/15/2023

We’re introducing one of our Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying): Nicole Sedlak!

“Growing up, I was always a very quiet person. People would often ask me why I didn’t talk more or why I was so shy. How could I answer these questions when I didn’t even know the answers myself? For years I assumed that this was just who I was, a very quiet and shy person. It wasn’t until my third year of university that I started to realize my tendency to be quiet around people was more than just shyness. It was anxiety.

I had spent years coping with my anxiety in the best ways that I knew how. This often looked like excessive amounts of time spent planning, arriving to places super early to avoid being late, choosing not to participate in activities that I anticipated would trigger my anxiety, and always planning an escape in case my anxiety became visible to those around me. These strategies worked for me until they didn’t. I began to realize that my anxiety was occupying too much of my valuable time, that it was causing me to miss out on various opportunities, and frankly, I was tired of feeling this way.

It wasn’t until I started looking inwards and sought out help from a therapist that I realized there were real solutions for my anxiety. Solutions that would save me valuable time, allow me to chase various opportunities, and feel like I was in control of my life for the first time in a long time.

Part of the reason why I became a therapist was to help others regain control of their lives and to hopefully inspire people to seek support sooner rather than later. No one deserves to suffer on their own and there are solutions and support available for whatever it is that you’re going through. I know the decision to seek help can be a challenging one, but personally, it was the best one I’ve ever made.”

To learn more about and book with Nicole, head over to www.risinginsightcounselling.

02/08/2023

We’re introducing one of our Registered Social Workers: Peter Hodsman!

“There have been times in my life, where I have needed the kindness, the curiosity, the care, the guidance, the ears, the patience, and attention of others to get me through the next step, the next hour, the next day or week, month, year. I believe, as human beings, that we all encounter those times and that none of us can get through it all on their own. I have been fortunate to have found help when I have reached out, and I strive to give that back personally and professionally, at home and in my community.

I began this journey through a commitment to social justice and an involvement in local and international activism. Over the years, my interests and my work narrowed from thinking only about the big picture, to a focus on what I can do to help on an individual level, as well. I have always kept the “big picture thinking,” and the perspective that we are all individuals, yes - but just as importantly we are all individuals with lives in a certain place, with certain people, in a certain time. We all have our contexts, our stories, our backgrounds, our surroundings – a constellation of people, places, things and systems that shape us and are, also, shaped by us.

It’s in this complex web of relationships that we often find ourselves overwhelmed and stuck, but it’s also through these connections that I believe we learn to find the strength within ourselves and in our environments to move past the “stuck” and toward a life that looks much more like the life we want. I will always be grateful for those who have helped me make those moves, and I consider it an honour and privilege to get the chance to help others do the same for themselves."

To learn more about and book with Peter, head over to www.risinginsightcounselling.

01/26/2023

We are very humbled to have been voted the best psychology clinic in London by the community! Thank you to our team who works to make our practice safe and accessible, and to our clients who trust us with their vulnerabilities and challenges. We will continue providing the London community with care and compassion.

12/02/2022

We’re introducing one of our Registered Social Workers: Robyn Horst!

“Growing up, I often felt pressure to present myself or behave in a certain way based on the expectations of my family, my religion and my community. I sometimes felt like I was in a “box” and if I were to step outside of that box I would be denying myself and the person I was “supposed" to be. Life handed me learning experiences, challenges and perspective-shifting realizations that would force me to step outside of this “box” in order to be true to myself. When I started working with a therapist I began a journey of learning, unlearning and healing. I was able to reconnect with myself, one step at a time. With each step I found myself further from the box I was once in and closer to my life purpose.

Part of my life purpose is to walk alongside others who are feeling stuck in their “box”. You are so much more than who you are prescribed to be. As your therapist, I will create a safe, authentic space for you to reconnect with parts of yourself that have become distant and quiet due to your need to respond to life’s challenges.”

To learn more about and book with Robyn, head over to www.risinginsightcounselling.

11/11/2022

We’re introducing one of our Registered Social Workers: Julia Rubini!

“Ever since I was young, I never quite understood why I would behave in certain ways. At times, I was shutting down when I was uncomfortable, becoming angry very quickly or shaking from stress. I never fully understood the extent of my anxiety until I began studying social work and examined how I was feeling on a daily basis. It became daunting to partake in daily tasks, focus on things and I would also develop feelings of sabotaging relationships.

I finally sought out therapy after months of waiting to press the send button on my inquiry email. I couldn’t be more thankful that I did! Once I started speaking to a psychotherapist about my past experiences as well as my present feelings of anxiety related to personal and relationship issues, I gained tools that I use daily.

I now feel confident that I am managing my emotions and anxiety. Although it is a continual process and I still have off days, I can say I’m confident that therapy taught me how to stop certain behaviours and analyze when I have unhelpful thoughts, which allows me to redirect myself in a positive way. I am hopeful that I can do the same for you if you or your child can resonate with these feelings of anxiety, sadness and difficulties in relationships.

Therapy has the potential to open doors for healing, understanding and personal growth. This can lead to incredibly positive changes in one’s life. I strive to make individuals, whether a child or in adulthood, feel heard, understood, and safe, which will allow a trusting therapeutic relationship to flourish.”

To learn more about and book with Julia, head over to www.risinginsightcounselling.

11/06/2022

We’ve been slowly decorating one of our waiting areas for months. Between supporting all of our clients and managing our team, putting the finishing touches on our space takes a long time, but we are thrilled with how this space has turned out!

09/28/2022

We’re introducing one of our Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying): Elina Suprunova!

“Growing up, I was a loud, active, outgoing child, who loved adventure and thrived in social settings. At the age of 11, my family immigrated to Canada and I was met with many challenges that come along with moving to a new country. The changes in my circumstances left me feeling overwhelmed, sad, anxious, and questioning who I was as a person. Through personal therapy and continued education, I learned and developed skills that allowed me to cope and sort through the most difficult of times. I value each and every person who supported me through my journey and now I want to offer the same support to my clients. I work closely with each person to find and develop a treatment plan that will embrace the uniqueness of each situation, individual, and family, and offer the attention that is required to achieve optimal mental wellness. My desire is to create a welcoming and safe environment, one that fosters authenticity and trust, in which true exploration and healing can take place.”

To learn more about and book with Elina, head over to www.risinginsightcounselling.

09/26/2022

There are many registered health professionals who can provide psychotherapy, but Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) are the only designation to pay tax when providing their services. There is irony in this statement because psychotherapists are one of the most equipped practitioners to deliver therapy, as the schooling is solely focused on this. This taxing of RPs has led to an increase in rates for psychotherapy, as a way to offset the costs of delivering this service, which can lead to greater inaccessibility of mental health support for our community.

Consider signing the petition to remove taxation on psychotherapy services - for equality, for accessibility, and more support for our community. Go to www.stoptaxingmytherapy.com to learn more!

09/02/2022

There is something about summertime that pushes us towards productivity. As we continue to settle into our building, we’ve been making time to design the space with new furniture and calm decor. We are very grateful for the building we have and the peaceful, safe and restorative space we’ve cultivated for the London community.

To check out our space and services, visit www.risinginsightcounselling.com.

08/24/2022

We’re introducing one of our Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying): Sarah Wilkes-Lizmore!

“During my education and sports career, I have been visited by thoughts of self-doubt, perfectionistic thinking, and feelings of anxiousness and sadness. Over time I noticed how my thoughts sought out perfection in what I was doing and how I would let myself down, not reaching an unreasonable standard. Talking to my peers, I realized that at times others have felt the same way too. It can be difficult to navigate environments where there are high expectations and many demands. Through my own experience with therapy, I have been able to find joy again through sport and shift my thoughts to more effectively navigate daily stressors. I’d like to help you navigate yours too!”

To learn more about and book with Sarah, head over to www.risinginsightcounselling.

08/19/2022

We’re introducing one of our Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying): Euan Fraser Tait!

“For many years of my life, since I was young, I felt a strong need to shape and monitor who I was, how I presented myself and especially what emotions I was allowed to express. The process became so automatic, so ingrained after many restless nights that I soon forgot I was doing it at all and it became a perfect mask, hiding my full confident self from the world and from myself. I came very close to living only a half or three quarter life, convinced that me feeling less motivated, connected and joyful was just a normal part of life. That mask never allowed me to be vulnerable, it hampered my ability to accept when I had been wounded and to heal and grow. I felt guilty and unworthy of relationships and would either keep connections at arm’s length or slowly recede from them.

Through the process of my education, volunteer work and my own therapy, I’ve learned to allow myself to live a fuller life, where I can be a more complete, honest me, able to finally make mistakes and fit into my life the way I never quite could. This path has shaped my therapy style in that it has given me a great understanding and compassion for my clients that struggle accepting themselves and growing beyond their injuries and difficult experiences. In my own path, I found that I had what I needed to heal all along and this gives me a great deal of confidence in my clients that no matter how dark and difficult things are that working together we can find those hidden strengths no matter how buried or hidden they are.”

To learn more about and book with Euan, head over to www.risinginsightcounselling.

05/30/2022

We’re introducing one of our Registered Social Workers: Laura Nugent!

“Growing up I was the quiet kid who sat back while taking in everything going on around me. I found myself feeling emotions strongly and getting stuck in my head. Overthinking and the high expectations I set for myself, resulted in me feeling anxious and overwhelmed when things didn’t go to plan or turn out “perfectly”. I was fortune enough to have people in my life who helped me learn how to manage my thoughts, cope with my emotions, and navigate changes I was faced with. My world was then shaken as a teenager when my mom was diagnosed with cancer and after a strong battle, passed away. I was grieving a major loss, while also unsure how to manage the most unexpected turn of events in my life, especially without the person who always supported me the most. I started going to therapy for the first time and experienced the remarkable impact it can have. It was after my experience that I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to supporting others.

I believe adolescents are incredibly resistant. It’s my privilege to work alongside young people and their families as they uncover their strengths and see changes in their life!”

To learn more about and book with her, head over to www.risinginsightcounselling.

05/11/2022

We’re introducing one of our Qualifying Registered Psychotherapists: Jill Mulholland!

“It has always been my privilege and passion to bear witness to another person’s life and story. I started my helping career as a genetic counsellor, working with folks dealing with genetically-inherited health diagnoses. A genetic diagnosis can bring up a myriad of issues including grief, anxiety, uncertainty, and relationship concerns. Overtime, I was continually drawn to supporting people in their relationships and switched career directions to fulfil this calling by becoming a psychotherapist.

Life is not predictable nor does it come with an instruction manual. When we enter into a romantic relationship, each participant brings their own unique history and experiences that colour how we behave and feel in the relationship. There are many times in a relationship when therapy might be considered - to preempt issues, because the road has gotten a little bumpy, or because it feels like a last ditch effort. I love supporting folks at any stage of their relationship in lessening painful conflicts, in processing and working through adverse events, in developing and using effective communication skills, in building friendship and shared meaning, in learning tools for compromise, and in ensuring each person in the relationship is heard and understood.

I look forward to developing a caring and professional working alliance with you, honouring your story, and helping you move towards your goals.”

To learn more about and book with her, head over to www.risinginsightcounselling.com.

01/28/2022

We’re a winner, baby! We opened our doors (albeit, predominantly virtual doors) to the London community in November 2020. We dreamed of supporting our clients the way they needed, and aimed to build a team of compassionate, person-centred therapists.

In many ways, our work is hard to measure, so to be honoured by the community in this way is validating, humbling and inspiring. Thank you to everyone who has had the courage to reach out for support, and for choosing Rising Insight as a safe place to share your story with.

And don’t worry, London, we’re just getting started!

Rising Insight Counselling and Psychotherapy