The Team
Timothy Patterson, M.Ed.
Clinical Director, Registered Psychotherapist
About Me
My journey to becoming a psychotherapist was anything but straightforward. Throughout my twenties, I was debilitated by anxiety and depression. Feeling completely overwhelmed, hopeless and in so much psychological pain, I turned to substances and other extreme methods to cope. Finally, one day in my early thirties, when the suffering became too much to bear, I reached out for help. Slowly with the support of various mental health professionals, my suffering eased, and I found peace and tranquility. It was this journey of finding myself that inspired me to return to school to become a psychotherapist. I've made it my life's work to support others as they walk along paths similar to the ones I travelled years earlier. While I don't look back on my years of suffering with fondness, I am grateful for having experienced them. Thanks to those years, when I hear clients speak of complete hopelessness and unbearable pain, I don't have to imagine what that must feel like—I remember. Those years have proven to me the healing power of therapy. Where alone it felt hopeless, with support, healing was achievable. I am a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO #11228) with my master's degree in counselling psychology from the University of Toronto. I also have two bachelor's degrees, one in biomedical science and one in psychology, both from the University of Guelph. I believe the therapeutic relationship should be built on openness and trust. If you have any questions, I encourage you to reach out and ask.
My Approach
Clients appreciate my kind, calm and authentic demeanour. I have a nonjudgemental, trauma-focused approach uniquely tailored to each client. Built on psychodynamic principles and integrating EFT, DBT, CBT, and mindfulness elements, my approach offers practical solutions while at the same time encouraging profound and lasting change. Therapy with me is very relational and conversation-like in nature. I like to think of us as fellow travellers exploring your world. Together we'll examine the events of your life and how they have shaped the person you are today. Once we have a clear understanding of how the past has influenced your current thought patterns, beliefs and behaviours, we can decide which still serve you well and which have outlasted their usefulness and should be updated. This process is always collaborative, and we will always go at a speed and in a direction with which you're comfortable.
Daniela Ioachim, M.Ed.
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
About Me
As a Romanian immigrant, I have encountered my fair share of change and confusion. I am, therefore, exceptionally compassionate to the daunting challenge of rebuilding a life in a new environment. During times like these, we discover how resilient we truly are. My resilience came in the form of creativity and self-understanding (with humour as a by-product). For over a decade, I have learned and experimented with theories in counselling psychology with the ultimate goal of becoming a therapist. I now hold a B.A. in psychology from Concordia University and an M.Ed. in counselling psychology from the University of Ottawa. I believe that having someone in your corner can make a difficult journey much more tolerable. I am honoured to join my clients on these journeys day after day. Outside of my role as a therapist, I engage in many creative pursuits, such as writing, making art, and playing music. It is a safe space to play, express and make mistakes. I also hold a great fondness for animals and believe they are wonderful teachers in living life one day at a time.
My Approach
As a therapist, I hold a calm and friendly demeanour. I aim to create a stable, compassionate environment which serves as a bedrock for a deeper exploration of your emotions, beliefs, and behaviours. As you take the courageous step to face difficult truths and make changes to your life, I accompany you with a safety net and a second perspective. My blend of psychodynamic, trauma- and attachment-focused approaches helps clients understand how their past has shaped their view of themselves and others. I believe we have all learned to adapt to our surroundings to secure love and safety. However, as our environment changes, these adaptations may no longer serve us and can keep us from creating a more fulfilling life. Understanding the patterns that are active under the surface gives us the power to choose how we move forward. When trauma is present, I take a slow, controlled approach. With the belief that knowledge is power, I include psychoeducational elements and help you develop a personalized set of skills to soothe the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety.