Therapeutic Specialties

At State of MIND Counselling, our Areas of Specialty page provides a comprehensive overview of the support and guidance we offer for those facing mental health challenges, including anxiety, PTSD, Trauma, and OCD. Learn how our personalized therapeutic strategies can assist you in achieving mental well-being.

Anxiety

First and foremost, it’s important to know that everyone has anxiety. It’s a good thing! Really, it is! We need it to protect ourselves. Think of it as our very own, personal little alarm system.

Sometimes however, our alarm systems can be too sensitive. In these cases, it’s helpful to learn skills to turn the sensitivity on our alarms down. Therapy can assist people of all ages, no matter the symptoms or concerns, in making the feelings less intense and overwhelming.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder & Trauma

PTSD and Trauma can arise when one experiences or witnesses a terrifying event. A person who struggles with PTSD and Trauma can experience a variety of symptoms such as panic attacks, night terrors, flash backs, severe anxiety as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

We are an approved service provider with Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) and able to direct bill.

ADHD

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a consistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that is pervasive and interferes with functioning or development. ADHD symptoms can vary greatly among individuals and may change with age. While traditionally diagnosed in childhood, ADHD can persist into adulthood, affecting various aspects of life including academic achievement, occupational performance, and interpersonal relationships.

Signs of ADHD vary and can be divided into two main categories:

Inattention: Individuals may struggle with organizing tasks, following through on instructions, and maintaining focus on tasks. They are easily sidetracked and may seem forgetful in daily activities.
Hyperactivity and impulsivity: This includes excessive fidgeting, talking, and an inability to stay still for appropriate periods. Impulsive individuals may interrupt conversations, make hasty decisions, or have difficulty waiting their turn.

Recognizing these signs as early as possible is crucial for effective management and support.

Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. It is important to note that some people without ASD might also have some of these symptoms. But for people with ASD, these characteristics can make life very challenging.

At State of MIND, we offer specialized counselling services designed to assist those who identify as neurodivergent, our practice reaches out to children, teenagers, adults and parents affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Additionally, we are an approved service provider with The Autism Funding Unit and able to direct bill.

Grief & Loss

Grief involves coping with loss. Death, divorce and the loss of a home are all major events that people grieve. While everyone’s experience of grief is different, there are common responses that can be useful to recognize if you’re facing a loss. The Clinician’s at State of MIND can support you while you are going through this incredibly challenging stage of life.

OCD

OCD can present in many different ways. It can cause an individual to feel a need to perform certain actions such as excessive handwashing, a need to continuously check and re-check things (stove, candles, lights) or to perform certain rituals such as tapping a certain amount of times on their body or an item. They may also have a need to say certain words or phrases continuously. The intent behind these actions are to provide relief to their anxiety and make it more manageable.

OCD can also impact an individuals thoughts causing one to perseverate on certain topics, images or fears. Many individuals report disturbing or violent images or a fear of causing harm to themselves or others.

The clients who come to State of MIND Counselling with these symptoms have reported feeling an intense amount of shame and/or embarrassment. They are apprehensive to tell people what they are experiencing for fear that people will think that they are “crazy” or be frightened by their symptoms.

The need to perform a certain pattern of actions to alleviate the constant borage of thoughts can make you feel trapped as though there is no escape to this never-ending cycle.

We will work together to determine an appropriate treatment plan to address your symptoms. After treatment is initiated, clients generally report a feeling a relief within a very short period of time.

Psychosis

Psychosis is disconnection from reality. People may have false beliefs or experience things that aren’t real. Psychosis isn’t a condition. It’s a term that describes a collection of symptoms.

Two important types of psychosis include:

Hallucinations. These are when parts of your brain mistakenly act like they would if your senses (vision, hearing, touch, smell and taste) picked up on something actually happening. An example of a hallucination is hearing voices that aren’t there (auditory hallucination).

Delusions. These are false beliefs that someone holds onto very strongly, even when others don’t believe them or there’s plenty of evidence that a belief isn’t true. For example, people with delusions of control believe someone is controlling their thoughts or actions remotely.

Additional Therapeutic Specialties at State of MIND

Alcohol Addiction

Bipolar

Body Dysmorphia

Borderline Personality Disorder

Depression

Divorce/Separation

Drug Addiction

Eating Disorder

Emetophobia

Encopresis

Enuresis

Excoriation

Gender Dysphoria

Gender Transitioning

Immigration

Life Transitions

Perinatal

Pornography Addiction

Postpartum

Self Harm

Separation Anxiety

Suicidality

Trichotillomania

Trauma

Video Game Addiction

I have been working with Donna for nearly three years, and I cannot overstate how much our sessions have helped me. She is an excellent therapist, and I plan to keep her in my life. I am a strong advocate for person-centered therapy, and I feel heard and seen during my sessions with Donna. High recommend!

Carin Bondar

Donna’s services have saved me in more ways than one. Her ability to create a calm, warm, and welcoming environment makes it much easier to process personal challenges. Between coping mechanisms, mindfulness techniques, and interpersonal talk through therapy, I have been able to grow through many deep-rooted struggles, some of which I never knew I even had. Donna continues to teach me so much and helps move waves in each session. I cannot recommend her services enough as it was by far the best decision I could’ve made for myself.

Taranjot Dhoot

Donna is incredible, I highly recommend her to anyone. She is the only person who has made a change in me with exposure therapy and I am very thankful for the care and treatment she provides. She is great at what she does, highly highly recommend her if you are suffering from OCD.

Kara Gill

Donna has been the only therapist to get my daughter to really talk. She is amazingly calm and very insightful. Her pup is an added bonus to session which helps with my daughter's anxiety.

Pamela Johnson

We have been seeing Donna for around 3 years. Our experience has been fabulous we have been able to get through many breakthroughs with her help and guidance. I've seen many counsellors and I would have to say my growth with Donna trumps them all. She really is able to ask those questions that will give you a different perspective. I would highly recommend Donna for individual and couples therapy.

Karen Cobban

My husband began his journey with Donna back in August. Suffering from severe depression - OCD - and a variety of other mental health concerns he was at the end of his rope. We contacted Donna and she got us in almost immediately. My husband is still at the beginning of his journey but the improvement has already begun. In a few short months Donna has done extensive reviews and began implementing strategies to better his life. She is patient and offers a level of comfort that is hard to find. Her extensive knowledge and training in mental health has always made us feel like we are in good hands. We are looking forward to seeing what the future holds as it doesn't seem so bleak anymore.

Jessica Sutherland

Donna worked with my family (myself and my partner as well as our kids). She was always kind, compassionate and knowledgeable. You can tell that she has a wealth of experience and a broad skill set. She was equally capable with the adults and with our children.

The strategies she gave us as parents were very helpful. Change is difficult and she walked us through the strategies and addressed any concerns we had. The strategies that she used with our children were also great! It has helped them immensely with the issues that we were seeking help with. We still go back to these strategies as needed as we continue to work on being better people.

I would not hesitate to go back, for myself or family members and I would highly recommend her to others.

Lynne Johnson Mallari