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Healing For Those Who Serve.

We embrace a trauma-trained philosophy that prioritizes safety, trust and empowerment. Our collective are dedicated to providing first responders (police, special constable, fire, paramedics, dispatchers, corrections), public safety personnel, military members, veterans, RCMP, and their families a safe place to land. We use evidence based methods that honour the rebuild of psychological resilience within the realities of high-stress professional lives.

About Our Collective

Tackling trauma with collaborative care

Your Empowering Psych Collective are dedicated to providing trauma focused therapy services to support uniformed individuals, couples and families on their journey towards recovery, healing and growth. Our experienced collective team of therapists offers a safe and supportive environment for their clients to explore and address their trauma and empowering them to create a renewed path forward.

Safe & Supportive Space

Evidence Based Approach

Over Five Decades of Collective Expertise

Therapy & Service Dog Friendly

(Documentation Required)

Our Collective Services

At Your Empowering Psych Collective, we keep things straightforward, honest, and grounded in what works.

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Individual Therapy

Peer Based Groups

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Couples Therapy

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Family Therapy

Group Therapy

Our Collective Therapeutic Approaches

Trauma based services tailored to your needs, available in-person, virtually, and tele-therapy.

Trauma Focused Therapy

Our trauma focused therapy addresses the specific needs of individuals dealing with PTSD(PTSI), mental and moral injuries and occupational and operational stress Injuries. Through evidence-based techniques and personalized care, we aim to provide a safe space for healing and recovery. This is a safe space to process and rebuild your strength.

Therapeutic modalities used:

Cognitive Processing

Exposure Response Prevention

Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Psychodynamic

DBT

EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy is a powerful tool to help process traumatic memories and create positive changes in emotional responses. Our trained therapists guide clients through this transformative process, supporting them in overcoming past traumas. EMDR Therapy follows a structured eight-phase process designed to help you safely process and heal from trauma at a pace that’s comfortable for you.

Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing focuses on the connection between mind and body to release stored trauma energy. Our sessions help individuals restore balance and resilience by addressing the physiological impact of past traumatic experiences.

Trauma-focused CBT

Through structured sessions, we guide individuals in developing coping strategies, reframing negative beliefs, and gradually processing their trauma. The goal is to empower clients on their journey toward recovery, fostering resilience and hope for a brighter future.

Our Collaborative Care Collective

Parul Shah, a psychotherapist/Registered Social Worker with over 24 years of experience in Ontario and Alberta draws upon her family’s policing legacy. Her commitment in supporting others informs her trauma-trained care and proactive interventions. As a former frontline social worker she gained knowledge, awareness and insights into navigating stress and trauma in high-pressure settings. Her understanding of trauma’s impact on first responders and their families enhances her therapeutic approaches. Beyond her clinical practice, Parul advocates bridging, mending and filling gaps between crisis and prevention.

Demographics: First Responders and Their Families, Individuals, Group (Peer Based)

Niche: PTSI; OSI, Mental and Moral Injuries and Complex Trauma

Therapy Modality: EMDR, ERP, Psychodynamic, T-CBT

Insurance: WSIB provider (Direct Billing ), Coughlin, Manulife, Sunlife, Canada Life. TelusHealth

Good To Know: Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Certified ; Living Works ASIST Certified

https://embracingempowerment.com

Siovone Bourgeois, a Registered Social Worker based in Ottawa, Ontario. With 15+ years of counselling experience, Siovone works with youth, families, individuals, and couples dealing with issues such as depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, grief, addiction, and life transitions. Siovone works with couples of all age ranges, and diverse backgrounds to help them reconnect and rebuild their relationships after facing life’s daily stressors, addiction, infidelity and frequent absences of a spouse due to deployments. Siovone is very passionate about helping adults who struggle with trauma either from military service or family or chronic trauma.

Demographics: Military, Veterans, Couples, Individuals, First Responders, Families

Niche: PTSI; Relationship Issues, Grief, Addiction and Complex Trauma

Therapy Modality: EMDR, DBT, CBT, ACT, Strength Based

Insurance: Blue Cross (Direct Billing), Canada Life, Great West Life, Manulife, NHIB

Good To Know:

https://www.siovonebourgeoiscounselling.ca/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/siovone-rene-bourgeois-ottawa-on/1127240

Melissa Chapman is a psychotherapist with 12 years of experience supporting individuals through a wide range of mental health challenges. She holds a Master of Arts in (research) Psychology and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology.

As a person-centred therapist, Melissa places her clients’ needs, experiences, and goals at the heart of her work. She takes an individualized approach, drawing from different therapeutic modalities to find the approach that best aligns with each client’s unique circumstances and needs.

For the first ten years of her career, Melissa worked in a long-term hospital setting, where she developed extensive experience and specialized training in supporting individuals living with psychosis, bipolar disorder, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and various forms of anxiety. For the past four years, she has had the privilege of working with first responder and military populations. She feels honoured to support those who dedicate themselves to serving and protecting others and understands the importance of providing a space where they can feel safe to focus on their own well-being.

Melissa recognizes that reaching out for support can take courage, particularly for those who are accustomed to being the person others rely on. She is honoured to provide a space where clients can slow down, feel heard, and focus on their own well-being without judgment or expectation. Whether you are navigating a specific challenge or simply feel that something in your life needs to change, Melissa will meet you where you are and work with you toward the goals that matter most to you.

Demographics: Military, Veterans, Individuals, First Responders

Niche: Trauma and PTSD, Women's Issues, Psychosis

Therapy Modality: Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), DBT, CPT, CBT, ACT, Strength Based

Insurance: Mediavie Blue Cross (Direct Billing), Veteran Affairs Canada, Canada Life - Great West Life, Manulife, Sunlife
Good To Know:

Outside of her professional life, Melissa enjoys spending time with her dog and embracing the joys and challenges of parenting her two children. She values the importance of connection, balance, and making time for the people and things that matter most.

https:// www.windingrivercounselling.ca
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/melissa-chapman-ottawa-on/993981

Proud Supporters of Our Frontline Community

At Your Empowering Psych Collective supporting our frontline extends beyond the concept of psychotherapy. We're proud to support our community affiliations.