Life's Tough.
we all need help, sometimes

None of us knows what to do all of the time. Yet, seeking help is often the hardest step toward change. It's normal to have mixed feelings about it - but if your current strategies aren't working or getting you results, or you're not sure how to change, it might be time to seek some support so you can break into something new.

Our team of licensed clinicians use evidence-based services to help you release stress, trauma, or difficult emotions and examine your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours more holistically and realistically. In addition, you will learn specific strategies and be given concrete tools for coping and self-reflection that allow you to change whatever no longer serves you, for the rest of your life. This is an investment in you.

Ready to discuss further? Email info@kernelofwisdom.com or call us at 905-852-3450.

Our therapeutic practices combine evidence-based psychotherapeutic practices such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Radically Open DBT, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), Ego State Therapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy, as well as other trauma-informed or mindfulness-based techniques paired with a dynamic, client-centred therapeutic style.

Trauma and Stress That Sticks

When people think of trauma they often think of “Big-T trauma”. Things like wars, assaults, violence, etc. BUT, trauma actually refers to any stressor that overwhelms us and “sticks”. Many people experience “small-t trauma” (challenging issues with friends, difficult stressors at home, bullying, verbal attacks, etc.) without realizing the drastic affect it can have on our psychology and emotions.

Whether diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), a Dissociative Disorder, or believe you experienced trauma and struggle with dissociation, we can help.

Eating / Body Image Issues

Do you struggle with your relationship to food? Or are you frequently concerned about your body’s appearance, weight, or shape? These issues are highly personal and symptoms can take many forms including: restricting, binging, compensating for eating, excessive exercise, obsessive thoughts and worries about food or your body’s weight/shape, food/eating phobias, and many more.

In general, it can just really affect self-esteem and confidence or a sense of personal power to struggle in these areas. Stepping out of these cycles can be difficult on your own, but we can help.

General Psychotherapy

It is common to have stages in life where we feel stopped, stuck, or even all-out distressed. We can help. We offer treatment for a wide variety of symptoms and life-challenges, including: anxiety and/or stress-management; perfectionism; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; postpartum challenges; depression or other mood disorders; relationship issues and interpersonal skills; loss and grief; self-acceptance or self-worth issues; substance use/abuse, or if you would simply like some help with life decisions and/or general coping.

Whatever it is, you do not need to face it alone. We are here for you.

Our Model

Our clinicians use evidence-based techniques to help you target and, where desired, change your thinking, feeling, and/or behaviour patterns. Depending on your particular goals, this process may involve: 

PRIMARY MODALITIES

• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) or Radically Open DBT (for over-controlled, “type-A” personalities), which focuses on accepting difficult realities of life; validating emotions while improving emotional/behavioural effectiveness; and/or increasing interpersonal skills and responsiveness;

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which identified bias or errors in thinking and helps to identify more grounded, rational thoughts and beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world we live in;

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy, which activates natural processes in the brain to help metabolize and, therefore, changes emotional and/or behavioural responses to triggers;

• Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), which helps to release traumatic experiences, attachment wounding, and core loneliness from the body so you can “hold on” to less and feel less reactive to triggering situations;

• Ego State Therapy (EST), which helps identify and resolve inner conflict or “parts of self” that may hold different wants, needs, emotions, or even memories and treating them so that you can feel like a more cohesive, “whole”" self;

• Clinical Hypnosis, which can help someone access thoughts, feelings, or experiences that are otherwise hard to experience when we are in our everyday patterns, helping to resource clients in a way that takes less effort day-to-day.

SECONDARY MODALITIES

• Mindfulness-Based therapeutic techniques, which helps enhance self-awareness, self-compassion, and the ability to love and “be” with yourself

• Psychodynamic Therapy, which takes a broad look at the dynamic patterns connecting it all

Combined these tools, and the skills each helps you develop, will allow you to recognize and change the patterns that may be sustaining aspects of your life you don’t like or causing you to feel stuck. However, they also help you develop tools and skills to change those patterns, maintain those changes, and let go into a new life that you decide how to craft in a way that is best for you.

learn to listen INWARD and heal, one step at a time

When you’re looking for a therapist, “fit” is key. Talking with someone whose personality and approach resonates with you will make all the difference (and scientific research backs that up!). So I am really glad you are reading this, bravo!

My approach tends to involve an eclectic mix of evidence-based psychotherapeutic practices that are tailored to each client. As a clinician with specialty training in trauma, ultimately, listening to what each unique client needs is very important to me. That said, so are results - the process I use is backed by scientific research, my training and credentials, and my life and work experience. 

I started Kernel of Wisdom in 2014, supporting mental health as a mindfulness meditation teacher. I have been working in mental health as a psychotherapist since 2017. I have a wide variety of experience in private practice, hospital, and community environments. Some of my experience had included working as a clinician with The Trauma Centre, at Bellwood Health Services, and at Georgian College. I also have work experience with “urban schools”, Catholic Children’s Aid Society, organizations for individuals facing unique obstacles / having gone through abnormally challenging circumstances, and through a number of not-for-profit organizations such as UNICEF Canada and Outward Bound Canada.

In terms of my credentials, I am a Registered Psychotherapist in good standing with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO Registration #005767). I am also an EMDR Certified Therapist with EMDRIA, a Certified Canadian Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and a member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP). I received my Master of Counselling Psychology (MA) from Yorkville University and have a Bachelor of Education (BEd) and Honours Bachelor of Arts (HBA) from York University.

I have training and/or certification in the following areas:

• EMDR Basics from Niagara Stress & Trauma Clinic + EMDRIA EMDR Certified Therapist

• Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy training from Credo-Oxford

• Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) Level 1, 2 & 3 with DBR Training and Certification Co / Dr. Frank Corrigan

• Ego State Therapy Foundations Course Level 1 with Lemke Counselling & Consulting

• Fundamentals of Clinical Hypnosis Level 1 with Lemke Counselling & Consulting

• Effective Clinical Supervision (30hr course)

• Introduction to DBT from Broadview Psychology

• Radically-Open DBT from Radicallyopen.net - Levels 1 and 2

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Fundamental Skills from OISE at the University of Toronto

• Cybercounselling: Level 1 from Therapy Online

• Cognitive Processing Therapy via Veteran’s Affairs

• Foundations of Mindfulness and Applied Specialization in Mindfulness certifications from the University of Toronto

• MBCT 8-Week Group Participation and MBCT Basics from the Centre for Mindfulness Studies

• ASIST Suicide Intervention from LivingWorks

• Mental Health First Aid from The Mental Health Commission of Canada

• General training on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder from ECHO OCD

When I’m not working, I enjoy time with my little-ones (one human, one dog); time in nature and the outdoors; meditation and exploration of a variety of spiritual/theological models; fine art (especially drawing, painting, photography and design); music (especially drumming); and travel where and when I can fit it in.

Reaching out is the hardest step on the path to healing or change. That's why I offer a number of ways to reach me, and I invite you to get in touch in whatever way works best for you so that we can arrange an initial conversation:

Text us at: 647-880-7118
Business Phone/Voicemail: 905- 852-3450
Email: info@kernelofwisdom.com
Toll-free fax: +1 (855)-905-4858

You can also submit an inquiry below:

Clients Looking for the Online Portal

Clients can book session, review session history and finances, or send secure messages to your therapist through the online portal. To access the client portal, click here, or the button below.

Office Address:
Joelle Anderson
Uxbridge, ON