The Lighthouse...
Through counselling and psychotherapy, The Lighthouse offers you support, kindness and empathy to help you see more clearly in the difficult times you may be experiencing.
● Stress
● Depression
● Anxiety disorders
● Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
● Difficulties with relationships
● Challenges with effective communication
● Issues with self-assertion
● Life transitions (new parents, infertility, illness, bereavement, separation, divorce, career change)
● Enhancing self-knowledge and self-esteem
Our approach to mental health is evidence-based and we use trauma-informed practices to offer you a constructive and reliable way forward, no matter the challenges you may be encountering. We provide psychotherapy and counselling services that are inclusive to members of the LGBTQ2S community. Select therapists also offer Health at Every Size (HAES)-informed care practices.
Counselling and psychotherapy services are offered in virtually throughout Ontario, and in-person in our Kemptville and Kingston offices.
We also offer neurofeedback services, in-person at our Kemptville location, following covid-19 safety protocols.
The Lighthouse offers you a secure environment to confide in someone and compassionate support to facilitate change in your life. We realize that it is not always easy to take the first steps, and we invite you to contact us for more information.
** PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT PROVIDE EMERGENCY SERVICES. If you are in crisis, please call 911, or present at your nearest emergency room, or call your local crisis line.
What is psychotherapy?
In Ontario, psychotherapy is a controlled act, and is regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. The title "psychotherapist" is legally restricted. This means that only certain individuals are able to perform the act of psychotherapy, and can call themselves "psychotherapists".
The official act of psychotherapy has been defined as, “the assessment and treatment of cognitive, emotional or behavioural disturbances by psychotherapeutic means, delivered through a therapeutic relationship based primarily on verbal or non-verbal communication”. (Psychotherapy Act, 2007, section 4)
What is trauma-informed care?
To provide trauma-informed care means to treat our client with a holistic approach, taking in to account past traumatic experiences, and how they have influenced this person’s current coping mechanisms and behaviours. It means being able to recognize when our our client is triggered, and has slipped outside their window of tolerance by noticing dysregulated arousal, and adjusting our interventions towards helping them becoming grounded again, and working towards processing the trauma, building self-regulating skills, and increasing their resilience.
What does HAES-informed mean?
HAES stands for "health at every size", and focusses on the importance of health-promoting behaviours, rather than weight loss through dieting. It challenges the idea that weight determines health, and it considers social determinants of health, including education and income levels, neighbourhood environments, discrimination, as well as access to health care and healthy food. It aims to de-stigmatize larger body sizes, shapes, and appearances. An HAES-informed practitioner recognizes the factors at play in clients' struggles with weight and body image, and uses interventions geared toward helping clients progress with their physical and mental health goals while developing compassionate self-care skills.
Our symbol, the lighthouse
Built to withstand the elements, the lighthouse symbolizes resilience and strength. Shining its light in the darkest of nights, it is a sign of hope for ships navigating stormy seas. Much like traditional lighthouses, we aim to help our clients navigate life’s darkest nights and storms, while offering strength, hope and resilience.