Thomas McAvity,L.Psych

My Approach to Helping

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

Anxiety and related issues involving stress. I have had extensive training and am licensed to provide clinical interventions using a technique called HeartMath which is supported by research as having efficacy in ameliorating the effects of stress.

My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy

To help clients become more effective at dealing with emotional suffering.

What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist

I get a great deal of personal satisfaction and feelings of self-worth from helping clients, and learn a lot about myself in the process. I worked for over twenty years on a psychosocial rehabilitation team, and had the good fortune to work with clients who proved to be some of the most courageous and successful people I have ever met.

My Role as a Therapist

To help clients identify their goals for therapy and move towards them.

My Guiding Ethical Principles

To do no harm, treat clients fairly with compassion, empathy and genuine lovingkindness following the ethical standards set by the Canadian and American Psychological Associations.

On the Fence About Going to Therapy?

I generally try and assure them about the confidentiality of our sessions, that I will check often to see if they are satisfied with results and, from my theoretical perspective, that it is not so much about fixing them as it is about helping them to live their lives more effectively.

How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist

Definitely yes. From coming to terms with my own suffering I have, I believe, been given a gift that helps me to better identify, understand and relate to the suffering experienced by my clients.

Theoretical Influences that Guide My Work

Mindfulness is at the forefront of my practice these days (I have been meditating for over 40 years and teaching it for over 20). I also do a lot of work with Acceptance and Committment Therapy and radical acceptance theory. My basic approach has always been humanistic and client centered, and I will incorporate cognitive behavioral and mindfulness based cognitive behavioral techniques where approporiate and potentialy efficacious. I also have influences coming from psychodynamics and narrative therapy that I draw on from time to time.