Anxiety is a persistent whirlwind of worry and fear, which at times can be overwhelming. With individualized therapy, there are several avenues to begin working your way out of this suffering. Each unique presentation of anxiety requires a gentle understanding of how it began and what keeps it returning. The goal is to empower you to navigate the present and the future.
Depression is like a two-hundred-pound weight that gradually sneaks up on you and won't get off. It seems determined to affect everything about your life and can be dangerous at the worst moments. You aren't destined to be like this forever and may need help rolling it off you.
Trauma arrives in many different disguises. While you are suffering, its origin and even the fact of its existence may remain hidden from you. The events of trauma in your life are important to identify, but it's the adult consequences which necessarily become the focus of therapy. Too much preoccupation with the past may result in tripping over the opportunities to improve today.
Sometimes anxiety, depression and trauma arrive together or take turns.
While your symptoms may seem similar to others, your history, life experiences, and temperament make your suffering as distinctive as your fingerprint. You deserve personalized counselling and therapy structured to enable your unique abilities and strengths to exert themselves.
I practiced medicine and psychiatry for two and a half decades and don't make my living from what I charge as an online therapist. That's why the fee is always $60 for each 60—to 90-minute session. When I practiced as a psychiatrist, it bothered me how difficult it was for individuals to get in to see me. Now, it's much more manageable for clients to access my therapy. (The Fraser Institute 2024 Research Report on Medical Wait Times states that the average wait time from referral to first treatment for a Psychiatrist in Ontario is 25.2 weeks.) Again, I do not practice as a psychiatrist but as a Counsellor.
The connection between client and therapist is a crucial factor in the success of therapy. I offer a complimentary hour-and-a-half session to help you see if we're a good fit. This gives us time to begin discussing what's happening with you and for you to experience how our working relationship could unfold.
My approach to therapy is deeply rooted in 'Integrative Therapy'. I draw from various therapeutic theories and techniques tailored to your unique needs, always prioritizing your comfort and safety. I do so with kindness and gentleness, helping you experience change with acceptance.
If you feel anxious, depressed or have experienced trauma, I may be able to help.
EDUCATION
After earning a degree in psychology, I pursued further studies in medical school. Following this, I completed an internship year in family medicine and a four-year postgraduate programme in psychiatry. I practiced as a psychiatrist from 1992 until 2016 and then transitioned to my current role as an online counsellor and therapist.
PRACTICALITIES
The first session is free and lasts up to 90 minutes. It's an opportunity for us to meet, for you to share your concerns, and for me to understand your needs. I'm hoping this session will help you decide if my approach is right for you and without any financial commitment.
Each subsequent session lasts up to 90 minutes and costs $60. This fee covers our time together and any preparation or follow-up work I do for you.
Additionally, I offer free, unlimited email support between sessions. Feel free to contact me anytime with questions, concerns, or updates, and I will respond within 24 hours.
I understand that therapy is hard work, but it's also about discovery and relief.
Michael Porter Reaches
Clients throughout Ontario