Psychologist Services

Dr. Ward is an integrative psychologist, however she does draw primarily from two major evidence based theoretical orientations. The first is psychodynamic psychotherapy, and more specifically Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. The second is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

APPROACHES USED

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, ISTDP

Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) is a therapy approach that helps people understand and work through the emotions underlying anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. By exploring how past experiences shape emotional patterns, ISTDP helps uncover and release blocked feelings, leading to greater self-awareness, emotional freedom, and healthier connections with others. It’s a compassionate, insight-focused method that addresses the root of difficulties rather than just the symptoms. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps you feel better by identifying and changing unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaving. CBT is based on the idea that your emotional, physical, and behavioral reactions make sense once we understand your thoughts. In other words, it’s not the situations in your life that directly cause distress, but how you think about and respond to them. By learning to recognize and shift these patterns, CBT helps reduce anxiety, depression, and stress while supporting healthier habits and relationships.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, DBT & Emotion Focused Therapy, EFT

Dr. Ward also has experience integrating theoretical orientations such as Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT). EFT helps you better understand, express, and process your emotions, making it easier to resolve inner conflicts and improve relationships. Whereas DBT provides practical skills for managing intense emotions, coping with stress, and improving communication and self-control. So, while Dr. Ward will likely use either CBT or ISTDP to conceptualize (how a therapist understands your patterns, thoughts, and emotions to guide psychotherapy), she will also use techniques or tools from other theoretical orientations as appropriate. 

HOW THERAPY WORKS

Therapy is more than just talking.

While conversation is an important part of the process, our work together focuses on practical, evidence-based approaches that support real change.

We’ll work toward understanding your experiences, building helpful skills, and creating meaningful progress over time.

BETWEEN SESSIONS

Progress continues outside of sessions

You may be invited to try small, practical exercises between sessions to help apply what we discuss in your daily life. After your initial assessment, we’ll also decide on a session frequency that aligns with your goals and what feels sustainable, adjusting as needed over time.

AREAS OF SUPPORT

Dr. Ward can help with concerns such as: 

  • Mood challenges – low mood (feeling down or low), low self-worth, feelings of hopelessness.  

  • Anxiety and stress – feelings of burnout, consistent worry, and built-up tension in the body

  • Difficulty adjusting to life’s stressors or difficulty moving forward 

  • Relationship challenges/changes 

  • Grief and loss 

  • Gender and sexual identity changes (e.g. challenges related to coming out; identity exploration) 

  • Eating disorders –body image concerns and difficulty navigating food intake

  • Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours, OCD – needing to engage in certain rituals or behaviours to reduce anxiety

  • Somatic concerns – built up anxiety/tension in the body manifesting in physical symptoms 

  • Difficulty recovering from past trauma (aversive life events)

Every psychologist has certain psychological concerns that are outside of their realm of expertise, or which they ethically are not able to treat. Please consider setting up a consult call with Dr. Ward, as not all psychologists are the same. and she may be able to work with your concerns in a different way than other providers have in the past.  

Please note, services are not currently available for individuals’ seeking treatment for psychosis as Dr. Ward has insufficient expertise in this area. As well, she is unable to provide services to children or adolescents. She does not do couple or family therapy at this time.