Janna Comrie, M.A. in Counselling Psychology, RP, CFRC
Director
If you’re dealing with anxiety, depression and/or a traumatic experience, I may be the therapist for you! I work a lot with individuals who have experienced trauma and exhibit a variety of symptoms including dissociation, anxiety, addiction, panic attacks, depression and phobias. I do a lot of work with first responders and frontline community workers. I have experience working with the LGBTQQIP2SAA community, people in poly-amorous relationships as well as individuals from a variety of religious backgrounds (I have an interest in world religions).
Clients often come to me feeling alone, stuck, frustrated and as if it’s “all in their heads”… Well, your head isn’t detached from your body and your body isn’t detached from your head. I encourage clients to understand the emotional, physiological and cognitive symptoms that they are experiencing as a result of their difficulties. With this understanding, they are able to focus on the underlying issues and use an integrated approach to change their situation. Therapeutically, I use a number of approaches including CBT, DBT, EMFT, BSFT, Systems approach, mindfulness and also tend to use psycho-education.
My Story
I have been a practicing psychotherapist for over 15 years and tend to have a somewhat different perspective and approach that I attribute to a combination of loving research and being a self-proclaimed brain geek!
I attended York University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I have a natural love of research and science. So, early in my career I chose a number of research related positions. I had the pleasure of working with Sunnybrook on a study of Quality of Life in individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Then, I went on to Baycrest Centre where I was offered a position at the world class Rotman Research Institute. There, my interest in the brain, behaviour and cognition was incredibly fed!
I began my Masters in Counselling Psychology at the Adler School, in Chicago where I looked at Quality of Life in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Towards the end of my Masters, I accepted a position at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute where I oversaw a national study examining the quality of life of both patients with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. I finished my Masters and opened my private practice. I then decided to return to school to work towards a PhD in Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Sciences at York University while having young children at home!
Currently, I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario) and a member of The Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP). I also work as an Associate under the supervision of Licensed Psychologist Scott Gosse.