We promote an inclusive, safe and sex-positive environment for adult clients seeking individual therapy.
Adults
Psychodynamic, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Relational
English and Romanian
Complex childhood trauma due to attachment ruptures, neglect and abuse, intergenerational trauma, domestic violence, hate crimes, political trauma, immigration, refugees, cults, etc.
Enduring personality traits, inner conflict and resistance to change
PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders
Grief, stress and adjustment
Sex and relationships
Alcohol and substance use
Life-stages and transitions
At the foundation of any psychotherapy is a human encounter. This foundation is built on trust that is facilitated by your therapist’s empathy, consistency, and a certain kind of relational finesse and authenticity. Only after that, one is looking at clinical skills and techniques.
Our approach is:
Psychodynamic – what hurts, why, how, since when? How do you use defenses? Indeed, our childhood and the past matter even when we grow up
Relational – from the way you attach and relate, you tell us your story
Trauma-informed – trauma shifts one’s internal compass significantly. Without a gentle re-calibration, no real growth can happen
Emotion-focused – emotions are adaptive sources of resilience that form the core of our human existence
Process-oriented – rather than seeking to check boxes (“fix” symptoms), we accept that any growth is a process that takes time
Experiential – from the “here-and-now” experiences, we learn to be mindful and attuned
Culturally-informed – people’s identities are so complex that we cannot fit any one individual in a tiny box, so we need the larger perspective of your tribe
Existential – life is larger than its separate parts, but it is limited – how do we make the best of it?
Therapy is a complex process that requires your commitment. It can be difficult as it may stir deep unresolved feelings and conflicts. Conversely, you may quickly begin to feel optimistic and ready to “start anew,” but it is not advisable to make any major changes during therapy. Hence, being in therapy can feel like hard work (and it is!), as it involves your attention and effort not only during the therapy-hour, but also outside of it. Hopefully, you will start to gain a greater sense of well-being, emotional connectedness and love, and trust. You may gain insights and become emotionally smarter! Therapy can help you resolve a conflict, become better, or simply accept who you are, regardless of self- or other-imposed standards. It can, indeed, be freeing!
Adults only
Psychodiagnostic
Learning Disabilities (e.g, Dyslexia)
Consultation and referrals
Important notice!
We do not offer ANY legal assessments that require special expertise (assessments related to custody, disability, WSIB, motor-vehicle accidents, etc.).
Depression and anxiety disorders, adjustment and stress symptoms, sleep and eating, sexuality and relationships, substance or alcohol use, personality or interpersonal challenges
Adult Learning Difficulties (reading, writing, spelling, or math).
Psychological assessments are complex processes of testing, interviewing and diagnosing that require highly specialized training and expertise that only psychologists possess. A psychoeducational assessment helps identify a Learning Disability, whereas a psychodiagnostic assessment can help diagnose mood, anxiety, and other mental health diroders.
Psychological consultation, on the other hand, is a less involved service that guides treatment and identifies resources without necessarily making a diagnosis. For example, if you need a quick interview to gain clarity about your anxiety symptoms and the best treatment available, this is the service for you! We can recommend best treatments, help you navigate the complex mental health system, access resources, or provide a personalized list of referrals.
Psychological assessments can be requested directly by the client (self-referral), or by a third party, such as a disability counsellor, physician, or another psychologist.
A psychological assessment involves several stages varying in duration and difficulty, depending on purpose and the referral question. It includes a clinical interview, psychological testing, and recommendations based on the diagnosis.
A client consultation entails an interview and sometimes quick screeners, to aid in forming a quick but reliable diagnostic impression. This prevention method will avoid aggravation of your problems and ensure prompt intervention.
Dr. Tarba offers professional consultation for fellow psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, and other mental health professionals. The duration of a consultation session can be 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 50 minutes. The two types of consultation offered are Case Consultation and Self-Care consultation.
Case Consultation is for fully licensed psychologists, social workers or other mental health professionals who no longer need supervision, but need to work through difficult client cases when they feel stuck or have difficulties (ethical or clinical).
Self-Care Consultation is aimed at preventing burn-out in mental health professionals. Burnout is common between mental health professionals in the absence of regular, meaningful, nourishing self-care. I provide private consultation to help mental health professionals develop actionable, strategic plans for self care that can be baked into daily life and work.