Solstice Psychotherapy
~ Calm. Clarity. Confidence. Connection. ~
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the pace of life and struggling to manage the many hats you wear and roles you play, you are not alone. In today's world, many of us are grappling with heightened feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, stress, burnout, and uncertainty, especially when it comes to navigating and managing our relationships, careers, and overall well-being.
Our skilled and compassionate therapists are committed to ensuring that you have the tools, insights, and guidance you need to weather the challenges and changes you may be facing.
* Skilled and compassionate, licensed therapists * Secure and confidential virtual sessions * Immediate availability throughout Ontario *
A Holistic Approach to Psychotherapy
At Solstice Psychotherapy, we use a holistic approach to mental health and well-being, meaning, we consider the WHOLE person—mind, body, and spirit. Despite popular conceptions, mental health isn’t just about the mind, therefore, supporting our mental health cannot only involve working with the mind. We must incorporate other aspects of our being, including: our physical body, our nervous system, our nutrition, our ‘sprit’ (in other words: our truest essence, who we are, when all limiting, prescriptive and protective aspects of our identity and physical self are stripped away), and, of equal importance: an exploration of the systems we live within (social, cultural, familial), and the interactions of those systems on and with our being.
So, how do we do this? In addition to the evidence-based modalities and trainings our therapists are proficient in, they are also equipped with a number of integrative, holistic, modalities that focus on aspects of our being, aside from solely our mind, such as: yoga and meditation, Reiki, EMDR, Safe and Sound Protocol, and more!
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We are Here for You!
We’re so glad you found your way to this space.
It is our honour to hold space and walk alongside you, through our virtual counselling and psychotherapy services. We know times are tough. Many people are feeling more overwhelmed, disconnected, and alone than ever. We see you. We know how hard taking that first step can feel. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, substance use, parenting, family and couple dynamics, trauma and attachment-related challenges, general stress, burnout, or navigating change, loss, life transitions, sexuality or gender-related matters; We. Are. Here. For. You.
Have questions? Click the button below to check out our frequently asked questions, including information on our process, policies, and psychotherapy in general.
Services at a Glance
Psychotherapy Approaches
We provide integrative, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive care, utilizing a broad range of integrative and evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including:
CBT
DBT
Somatic embodiment
Mindfulness
Narrative Therapy
Attachment-focused Therapy
Emotion-focused Therapy
EMDR
Internal Family Systems
We help you become more aware of habitual thought and behaviour patterns, so that you can show up in your life in a way that aligns with your values, desires, needs, and most authentic self.
Treatment Specialties
We use an integrative, anti-oppressive, strength-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach to address a number of psychological, emotional, relational, and behaviour-related concerns, including:
Autism
Burnout
Life Transitions
Stress
Click on one of the underlined topics to learn more!
*** Please ask about sliding scale options if this is something you need at this time. Accessibility is an important value that we hold. ***
The Meaning of Solstice
In Latin, Solstice is made up of two words: 'Sol' the sun, and 'sistere' to make stand.
The Winter Solstice is one of the most powerful points of the year as the axis of the Earth pauses and moves in the opposite direction. During this time, we experience the power of the standstill point and shift in direction. The sun standing still during this time is a powerful metaphor for the energy available to us and to change the direction of our lives with full intention.
In the Northern Hemisphere, during the winter solstice, we experience the longest and darkest night of the year with little sunlight. With this natural cycle, we see dark triumph over the light.
It's a sacred time of rest and reflection before awakening the slow build towards brighter days while also connecting deeper to ourselves through these seasons of change in our natural world.
It's leaning into the darkness and silence in our own lives, so new inspiration can emerge. Because by allowing ourselves to sit with all our emotions and experience the darkness, we learn this will become the spiritual cradle into which our inner light is born.
And by consciously syncing our awareness to nature's cycles, we can delve further into our understanding of our own personal growth.
With this knowledge and connection, Solstice Psychotherapy was brought to fruition, and we're excited to support YOU through the many seasons and cycles of your own inner journey.
Recently on the Solstice Blog...
Land Acknowledgement
Solstice Psychotherapy is owned and operated in Halton Region. We acknowledge that Halton Region is rich in the history and modern traditions of Indigenous Peoples. Halton is located within the traditional territories of the Anishnaabek, Haudenosaunee, Attawandarin and the Metis.
We acknowledge that the land we work, live and gather on is part of the Treaty Lands and the Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Mississaugas of the Credit for being caretakers of this territory and are fully aware of the privilege we hold in being able to operate a business on this land that is not our own.
We acknowledge the racism and genocide that has plagued Turtle Island for hundreds of years. We recognize and honour the real history and beauty of Mother Earth and its Indigenous Peoples. We are committed to both the unpacking the rich history of the land as well as our continued allyship to Indigenous Peoples.
Meet Janice
Hi, I’m Janice (she/her), the owner and operator of Solstice Psychotherapy. Here’s a little about me because I am NOT a blank slate (what traditional models of therapy tend to endorse). Professionally speaking, I am an integrative psychotherapist, registered social worker, clinical supervisor, college professor, and yoga & meditation teacher. I have a Master’s degree in Social Work, along with professional certifications in Clinical Supervision, EFT, IFS, Attachment-focused Therapy, Somatic Embodiment, Narrative Therapy, and Dr. Stephen Porges' "Safe and Sound Protocol." I provide physical and virtual healing spaces for brave folks, who are either beginning or continuing “the work,” both in individual and group settings. I also provide clinical consultation and supervision for therapists and community agencies.
My professional practice mirrors that of my personal beliefs, values, and ethics, which includes (an imperfect and ever-evolving) commitment and dedication to anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-homophobia, and anti-ableism. I am passionate about social justice and always looking for ways to be involved in breaking down barriers for marginalized folks in the community. One of the ways I stay involved in the community is through volunteering and sitting on the board of directors of Safetynet Child and Youth Charities in Oakville.
More important than any of the degrees I hold or professional experiences I have had is the fact that I am a human BEING. I have experienced trauma, hardship, mental health crises and breakthroughs, conscious awakenings, and deep deep healing. I always seek to show up as my most authentic, human self in all of the work that I do.
I am a proud member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. I have an abundant life, with the inevitable ups and downs, of course. I enjoy reading, writing, yoga, nature, meditation, travel, and pretty much any sport or physical activity. I am an old soul with an affinity for intuitive cooking, sarcasm, and sharing the raw, real, uncensored bits of life. I ask the hard questions and help folks tune in, so they can find their own answers.
Thank you so much for visiting this space and allowing us to be a part of your journey.
Potential Benefits of Counselling & Therapy
→ An increase in presence, self-awareness, and self-compassion
→ A decrease in Anxiety, Stress, Overwhelm
→ A decrease in self-criticism, self-comparison, perfectionism, and Shame
→ An increase in self-confidence
→ Clarity around goals, values, hopes, dreams, and aspirations
→ A better understanding of past experiences and their present-day impact
→ A solid understanding of the brain and nervous system; factors that contribute to stress and dysregulation, and a diverse, holistic toolkit of practices to assist you in regulating your nervous system and choosing your thoughts and actions
→ A clearer and more confident sense of self
→ A renewed sense of hope, energy, and excitement about life and the direction you are headed and purpose you are here to serve
→ A clearer sense of emotions and a greater capacity to identify, regulate, release, and/or express them
→ A greater ability to recognize unhelpful beliefs and conditioned thought and behaviour patterns and an increase in intentional, mindful choices that align with values and preferred ways of being
