WELLNESS
Counselling / Psychotherapy
At Durand Health, we offer in-person and virtual appointments for counselling with our therapists. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or mental health crisis, please call 911.
Counselling in Hamilton
Also known as talk therapy, counselling involves helping people with various emotional and mental difficulties. By listening to what a client is struggling with, the therapist acts as a facilitator to assist clients in helping find answers within themselves. Doing so can help eliminate or control troubling symptoms so a person can increase well-being.
Integrated Approach
Durand Health is a novel integrated health centre where a team of medical, paramedical and occupational health experts work with individuals to best manage your health needs.
Whole Person Care
We are trained to provide high-quality health care to human beings. We place that relationship back at the centre of your care and deeply integrate all health disciplines to support your wellness so that you can live your life.
In-Person & Virtual
We aim for our clients to feel comfortable and confident with their care. Providing flexibility and convenience by offering in-person and remote sessions.
About Our Therapists
Our Psychotherapist (Qualifying) Cristina has specialized training in Art Therapy as well as talk therapy. She specializes in mental and emotional challenges and developmental disorders such as; ADHD, ODD, PTSD, adoption and foster children and families. To book an in-person or virtual appointment with her, click here.
Our Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Corey, takes a Cognitive-Behavioural and Narrative approach to most mental health concerns. He works with adults, teens, and couples and has a focus on anxiety, depression, anger management, trauma, process addictions (i.e. sex, food, internet/screens), men’s issues, Christian counselling, and grief. To book an in-person or virtual appointment with him, click here.
Our therapist Maryanne is a Registered Social Worker with a Master’s Degree in Social Work, an undergraduate degree in Sociology and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Maryanne has extensive work experience in various settings, including but not limited to counselling adults, child welfare, and children’s mental health. To book a virtual appointment with her, click here.
Individual Sessions
Individual therapy offers the opportunity to conquer various obstacles, spanning from anxiety and depression to addiction and anger management concerns. Guided by a seasoned therapist, you can nurture fresh coping strategies, enhance your communication and interpersonal connections, and foster a more optimistic outlook.
Couples Counselling
Couples therapy centers on tackling challenging aspects within the relationship as a whole rather than concentrating solely on individual partners. By gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship’s dynamics, therapy assists couples in recognizing their contributions to unproductive exchanges and reshaping their perceptions of one another.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a form of therapeutic intervention that utilizes creative expression as a means of promoting emotional, psychological, and mental well-being. It involves using various artistic media, such as painting, drawing, sculpting, and other forms of creative exploration, to help individuals communicate, explore their feelings, and process their experiences.
What Types of Techniques Do Our Therapists Use?
Our therapists, Cristina Palermo, Corey Sleep and Maryanne Hicks, can use their different training techniques to provide the best care for your needs. The following are some of the techniques they use:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Aims to reduce the symptoms of different mental health conditions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Uses acceptance and awareness strategies along with commitment and behavioural changes to improve psychological flexibility.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IP): Attachment-focused and revolves around relationships and communication.
Motivational Interviewing: Client-centred style aiming to change behaviour through addressing and resolving ambivalence.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches: Awareness-based style acknowledges what you feel moment-by-moment during specific situations.
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP): Aims for behavioural changes by exploring complex emotional and relational experiences.
Emotion-Focused Therapy: Used to help you understand the role of emotional changes during therapy.
Solution-Focused Therapy: A collaboration between client and therapist that is goal-directed.
Skill-Building Approaches: Used to develop or improve a client’s abilities at self-help, self-care, socialization, and adaptation.
Collaborative Care
Our Practitioners will work collaboratively with other healthcare practitioners within the clinic, including physicians, chiropractors, naturopaths, registered acupuncturists, massage therapists, and TCM practitioners, to best manage your health needs. Please inquire for more information.
COUNSELLING CAN HELP WITH:
- Anxiety & Depression
- ADD, ADHD, OCD
- PSTD, Trauma, Grief & Loss
- Lack of Motivation
- Social Skills
- Development Disorders
- Brain Injuries
- Emotional Challenges
Practitioners Offering Counselling
Cristina Palermo
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) R.P. & Art Therapist
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CRISTINA’S AREAS OF FOCUS:
✅ ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder)
✅ ADHD, OCD, & Anxiety
✅ Depression & Suicidal Ideation
✅ PTSD, Trauma, Grief & Loss
✅ Emotional & Behavioural Challenges
✅ Anger Management
✅ Adoption & Foster Children
✅ Development Disorders & Brain Injuries
✅ Dissociative Disorders
Cristina Palermo is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and Art Therapist. She completed her training in Art Therapy and Psychotherapy at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute and is currently finishing her thesis. Cristina has always been passionate about the arts, and her own journey as an artist helped her recognize the therapeutic value it holds. Cristina takes a very eclectic, organic, and person-centred approach, inviting the client to guide the direction and pace of sessions. Additionally, she can integrate CBT, DBT, narrative therapy, mindfulness, and meditation approaches to providing psychoeducation. Don’t think you’re an artist? That’s ok; prior skills are not necessary.
“Art can permeate the very deepest parts of us, where no words exist.” – Eileen Miller
Corey Sleep
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) R.P.
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COREY’S AREAS OF FOCUS:
✅ Anxiety
✅ Depression
✅ Anger Management
✅ Trauma
✅ Process Addictions
✅ Men’s Issues
✅ Christian Counselling
✅ Grief
Corey believes in a holistic approach to health and has the education to go with it: a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, a Master of Theological Studies from Heritage Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from McMaster University. He still works as a fitness coach and strongly encourages all clients to find a workout they love. As a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), he takes a Cognitive-Behavioural and Narrative approach to most mental health concerns. He enjoys helping others work through trauma, addiction, grief, anger management, anxiety, and depression. He also does Christian counselling for those who wish to integrate their faith into treatment.
Maryanne Hicks
Registered Social Worker, R.SW.
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MARYANNE’S AREAS OF FOCUS:
✅ Anxiety
✅ Depression
✅ Family Life
✅ Self-Esteem
✅ Life Challenges
✅ Coping Strategies
✅ Stress
Maryanne Hicks is a Registered Social Worker with a Master’s Degree in Social Work, an undergraduate degree in Sociology and a Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Maryanne has extensive work experience in various settings, including but not limited to counselling adults, families and couples, child welfare, and children’s mental health.
Maryanne’s compassionate listening style is non-judgemental and encourages clients to engage openly in their therapeutic journey. Her therapeutic style is goal-focused and strength-based with a client-centred approach while striving to utilize the most appropriate modality to match a client’s issue. Some therapeutic modalities that may be offered to clients are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Life Coaching and meditation with an underlying trauma focus.
“Learn to know yourself….search realistically and regularly the processes of your own mind and feelings.” – Nelson Mandela