Andrea Ramsay Speers, Psychotherapist in Oakville, L6H6N2

Andrea Ramsay Speers, M.A.

Profession(s):
Psychotherapy, Coaching, Social Work
License Status:
I'm a certified professional.
Primary License:
N/a - N/a

My Approach to Helping

Worn out from never-ending conflict at home? At your wit?s end over your kids? behaviour? Struggling to communicate with the people you love the most? Feeling guilty about your knee-jerk reactions to these problems?

I can help. I teach individuals, couples, and parents of children between the ages of 6 ? 18 the tools and strategies that work with today?s families to
? communicate effectively and easily,
? equip you for any discipline challenge,
? lower stress by getting your family working as a team ? as well as
? overcome guilt, anxiety and depression. You CAN create family harmony!

More Info About My Practice

I can help you to rediscover your own ability to ...
* Eliminate nagging and fighting with your kids
* Reconnect and end tension at home
* Improve sibling relationships
* Boost your children's self confidence
* Increase respect and consideration for one another (and yourselves)
* Talk so your kids can really hear you
* Reduce anxiety that makes it hard to enjoy being a parent
* Improve your moods and put an end to feeling so down
* Improve communication with your spouse
* Be prepared for any parenting challenge
* Be consistent in discipline and learn to follow through
* Reduce and overcome stress
* Enjoy work/home balance
* Feel confident and relaxed

Parents I have worked with have often told me that they felt a great sense of relief after seeking help for their family challenges. They appreciate the customized, respectful approach and the sense of empowerment that comes from having effective tools in their back pockets.

And sometimes being an effective parent means taking care of yourself. If you're feeling frustrated, anxiety, depressed and worn out, I can help. We'll work together to get you feeling confident, calm, and capable...the best possible version of yourself.

What makes working with me different is my training and expertise in therapy, coaching and parenting theory, which allows me to help you develop effective tools for overcoming parenting challenges. These are tools that you'll feel both confident and positive using in your home. And through the use of a specific, proven system for gaining client feedback about the direction and progress of our work together, you will remain "in charge" of the sessions and able to direct our focus on the issues that matter most to you.

Have access to extended health care coverage or benefits? You can use your insurance to have our sessions covered. Please see the FAQ page of my web site for information on how to register to use it BEFORE our first meeting.

To take the first step in regaining control at home, contact me for more information, or to book an appointment for a time that's good for you - day or evening. Today is the day to try something different and get back to enjoying being home.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

People don't always think about meeting with a psychotherapist for help with parenting issues, but there's no shame in admitting to feeling overwhelmed by the hardest job you'll ever do. My education uniquely prepared me for helping parents through their tough moments because it was grounded in a solid parenting theory that is respectful, positive, and effective. When dealing with parenting issues, it’s very important that the therapist provide strategies that are based in solid, proven parenting theory, not simply the therapist’s personal opinion, and that the therapist understand and respect your own values and goals as a parent. Not every strategy works with every child, and I like to share with my clients a number of different approaches so that they can tailor their parenting and discipline style to not only their unique family, but to each individual child in that family. I help parents feel more confident and effective, and can help you become the parent you always thought you’d be (even though your kids don’t always act the way you thought they would!).

Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist

When it comes to choosing a therapist, personality fit is the most important factor. It goes without saying that the therapist needs to be competent and skilled in the area of discussion, but genuinely liking your therapist (and genuinely liking your client) is vital. Without it, the client won’t feel safe enough to be vulnerable or honest in the way that effective therapy requires. There’s no more motivating factor than hearing someone whose opinion you trust say, “I believe in you, I know you can do this.” But if you don’t care about the person speaking those words, or you don’t feel that the person really cares about you, those words of support are meaningless. Without caring and trust in each other, therapy goes nowhere. Clients need to feel comfortable having an opinion about the direction of therapy; they need to not just receive therapy, but to participate in it and have their voice be heard. So while being skilled in working with the situation at hand is absolutely necessary, we accomplish more together by being in a mutually caring relationship. The fit between client and therapist is crucial.