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Everyone at some point in life experiences difficulty and hardship, you are not alone! My goal is to support you to discover yourself. My approach is sincere, compassionate and collaborative.
My name is Kathryn Kovacevich. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brock University and my Master of Arts: Psychotherapy and Spirituality from Wilfrid Laurier University.
(289) 206-0131
@kovecounselling
kathryn.m.kovacevich@gmail.com
I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brock University and my Master of Arts: Psychotherapy and Spirituality from Wilfrid Laurier University. I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). I am also a member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP).
I have received various certificates including: Working with the Body and Boundaries in Somatic Experiences: A Polyvagal Perspective, Anger Solutions Train the Trainer, Core Concepts and Interventions in EFT, Gottman Level 1 Training, Walking Through Grief- Helping Others Deal with Loss. Trauma-Centered Psychotherapy Techniques, Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy and Addictions & Mental Illness-Working with Co-occurring Disorders.
Developing my skills as a psychotherapist is important to me, therefore I remain active in continuing education. Prior to pursuing a career in psychotherapy, I worked at Autism Ontario, and in residential homes with individuals diagnosed with neurological and developmental disorders. I have experience as a crisis counsellor and student mentor. Regarding the psychotherapy realm I completed agency work at the Family Counselling Centre Niagara which exposed me to treating a variety of presenting challenges.
My passion is supporting individuals to find their own authenticity and introduce healing. Exploring how to connect the feeling & thoughts to associated behaviours and choices. This includes facing the hurt, disappointment, fear, and sadness to navigate a new way of living a healthy life. While it can be challenging, this process will allow you to become more connected with yourself and therefore will help you to make choices more fitting to who you are.
Services To Individuals Encountering:
People-Pleasing, Imposter Syndrome, Infidelity, Poor Boundaries, Anxiety, Anger, Post-Trauma, Childhood Trauma, Relationship Difficulties, Religious Trauma, Life Transitions, Sport counselling for Athletes
Pricing
Benefits of Online Therapy
Virtual therapy comprises the ability to engage in therapy online (though phone or video). Research suggests online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy, for example Andrews et al. (2018) reveal virtual therapy offers alleviation of depression and anxiety symptoms. Connection disruptions and difficulty perceiving body language can happen, however this does not diminish treatment efficacy.
The convenience of engaging in therapy from home saves the commute, allows flexibility and provides services to folks who lack reliable transportation. My online platform maintains confidentiality & privacy regulations and is HIPAA compliant.
Sources:
Andrews, G., Basu, A., Cuijpers, P., Craske, M. G., McEvoy, P., English, C. L., & Newby, J. M. (2018). Computer therapy for the anxiety and depression disorders is effective, acceptable and practical health care: an updated meta-analysis. Journal of anxiety disorders, 55, 70-78.
Virtual/Phone or In-person sessions
Office location: Bodylab Recovery Science
52 George St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 5N6
In-person sessions available: Monday, Thursday and Sunday, with flexibility for other days (we can discuss the options)
Hours: Tuesday: 1PM-9PM
Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 9AM-4:30PM
*Many insurance providers offer coverage for counselling services. Ask your insurance provider if they offer coverage for “Psychotherapy Services.” If you do not have coverage, my services can be claimed on income taxes as medical expenses.
Research shows psychotherapy is beneficial for children and adults with therapeutic approaches being modified considering developmental stages & individual differences. Psychotherapy can support a variety of emotional and mental health distress including symptoms of depression & anxiety, life changes, relationship difficulties, emotional regulation and grief just to name a few. There is a diversity of treatment options ranging from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Art Therapy to Psychodynamic.
I aspire to create an environment that you are comfortable being yourself in. The outcome of therapy is often linked to the trusting relationship between the client and the therapist. Therefore, feeling safe is important. I encourage you to explore your own journey- therefore I do ask many questions. I will support you to unearth the answers along your path.
Everyone has a different route, so I use an integrative approach using various modalities including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems (Inner Child Work), Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Self-Compassionate Lens, Trauma Responsive, and Psychodynamic. I understand one size does not fit all. I tailor my technique to your individual needs.
Emotionally Focused Therapy: Exploring the relationship with the feelings part of us, and how emotions impact our perceptions & responses. A major aspect is re-learning the relationship with the ‘feelings.’ In many cases, individuals have received hostile responses from others when expressing feelings which in turn has distorted the acceptance of emotions. Together we untangle that pattern, and support accepting and allowing feelings, rather than avoiding and allowing it to define our worth. We navigate the information emotions are trying to tell us, and work on using the feelings to facilitate action in a helpful manner, rather than hurtful (to others and ourselves).
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy:Developing coping strategies and soothing interpersonal conflict. Learning how to navigate the connectedness of beliefs, thinking patterns, behaviours and choices. We work on adjusting the mindset, including how we perceive ourselves, environment, relationships and experiences.
Internal Family Systems (Inner Child Work): Our Inner child develops meaning and identifies feelings from our experiences and environments. Along with excitement and joy, our inner child can reveal the worries, fear, insecurity and sadness. Our inner child may still remember the impacts of hardship and adversity, and that can influence our present behaviour and thinking patterns. Together we will learn to understand, connect and nurture the inner child, helping our current self function in an authentic manner.
Narrative Therapy: Rather than internalize the harsh responses from others & harmful environments, we come to notice what is and is out of our control. This encompasses assessing the limitations of others, environments, and how to express ourselves in a more genuine demeanour that is in our reach.
Self-Compassionate Lens: Developing an empathic and accountable mindset. In this process we allow ourselves to learn to be ‘imperfect’ and honor doing the best we can in our circumstances while acquiring new information that we can use for the next attempt. This can sooth the intense feelings of fear, reduce catastrophizing, and improve emotional regulation and self-worth. We adjust our thinking patterns to be more compassionate and reasonable which enhances accountability, knowledge and motivation to try again.
Trauma Responsive: Addressing and directly supporting the traumatic experience. I do use a trauma informed approach & trauma-centred psychotherapy techniques to process those experience(s) that have formed deep internal wounds that have affected our beliefs and feelings about ourselves & others. It is important to generate an awareness of how such situations impacted us as it is imperative to care for ourselves. A key aspect of this is externalizing the injury we have experienced from our worthiness.
Solution Focused Therapy: Aims at developing and adjusting responses to arising challenges. This highlights our personal responsibility. No one else can do it for us! We are accountable for our own wellness, and while it is not easy, it can generate long-lasting change. This can support resilience, assertive skills and boundary setting by practicing role-play, empty chair technique and motivational interviewing.
Psychodynamic: Enhancing self-awareness regarding the origins of presenting challenges. When our self-awareness enhances, we start to notice our beliefs and reveal responses that are more intrinsically aligned to us, rather than who we ‘should be’ or the ‘trauma response.’ This process generates self-acceptance and reduces the importance of what people think and say about us. Often, we develop patterns from how to protect ourselves through painful situations and/or relationships. This can include trauma, abuse, bullying, frequent criticism and rejection. Survival strategies can include avoidance, people-pleasing, ruminating, catastrophizing, lack of boundaries and intense self-doubt. However, in the long run, and in healthy contexts these strategies become unhelpful. We will figure out new ways to cope and express the self in a healthy manner.
What does the process look like: Research suggests individuals can see improvement (e.g symptom reduction) within 4-20 sessions, although this can vary considering individual differences. Typically, in the beginning with more distress weekly or bi-weekly sessions are beneficial for several weeks (while assessing symptoms and incorporating adjustments based on circumstances). Everyone varies; therefore, we will discuss what can support your needs.
Therapy is not like breaking an arm when the repair time is determined. Healing can reveal a bit like a roller coaster ride, with noticing feelings, behaviours and thought patterns. At times we can identify an aspect and only months later does it sink it. The human psyche and feelings can be complex. However, with intrinsic motivation and feeling safe in session, you can feel better!!
A first session will examine the presenting challenges, feelings, and current coping strategies. We will develop a plan outlining the objectives of therapy and what therapeutic approaches can be implemented. My approach offers direction while embodying a client-centred lens.
Following sessions will focus on the targeted aspects and incorporate the appropriate therapeutic orientations. Concluding our sessions I will check in to see your feelings and thoughts and we can make modifications along the way.
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