Barbara Smith , BFA, MFA, GIT., MS. Psych

Gestalt Therapist , Gestalt Institute of Toronto

Clinical member , OACCPP

CRPO , College of Registered Psychotherapists

Clinical Psychology

EMDR , Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing

PACT , Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy

ImTT , Image Transformation Therapy

"When we are no longer able to change the situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."

Victor E. Frankl

I am a mature multifaceted psychotherapist coming from a diverse experiential background of fine arts, business, and agriculture.

I am a trained Kryia Yoga instructor, Satyananda Ashram, and a Reiki practitioner. I have trained in Satir Family therapy, Alexander Technique, Energy Psychology (EdxTM), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Sexual Addiction with Patrick Carnes, Rogerian client-centered therapy, Chi Kong, and Art Therapy.

I am a graduate of the Four Winds, Healing the Light Body School headed by Dr. Alberto Villoldo (author, Shaman, Healer Sage) and am a shamanic practitioner.

I have recently trained in Feeling-state Theory and it's application to addictive behaviour.

I have extensive training and experience in Mindfulness, the practice of being here now in the present moment without judgment on purpose. I am trained in MBSR mindfulness based stress reduction; DRAM, developing resilience through applied mindfulness; MC, mindful communication; and MSC, mindful self compassion. I am presently teaching Mindful Communication through McMaster University. I am also a Mindful Self Compassion Trained Teacher.

My focus is Relationship as we are relational beings who become who we are depending on who we are with. I have trained extensively with Dr. Stan Tatkin, Psychobiological Appraoch to Couples Therapy.

My life experiences include being an artist, a mother and grandmother, self-sustaining farmer, owner-operator-small business, creator and workshop leader, yoga instructor, Reiki practitioner, educator and supervisor, and mental health counsellor and mindfulness teacher with the Hamilton Family Health Team.In addition to teaching mindfulness, I am chair for the Events Committee for Mindfulness Hamilton.

I have extensive professional experience as a group leader in Toronto, Burlington and Hamilton and have created and led groups on anxiety, procrastination, art therapy, and personal growth at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto, North York Women's Centre, Eglinton Community Centre, New Directions, Family Services (Toronto), Working Skills for Women (YWCA), Karyl Pope (Burlington) Community Counselling Centre, and Catholic Family Services (Hamilton).

More recently I have led groups in self discovery, resilience, stress management and am part of the curriculum development of the Mindful Communication course through McMaster University.

I am a compassionate humanistic psychotherapist who believes individuals possess a mind, body and spirit. I create a safe environment for the process of change to take place. As a Gestalt therapist, I use a holistic approach, which addresses the whole person not just fragments or parts of an individual. I also look for opportunity to apply humour in the therapeutic setting.

I am available to see individuals, couples, some families, and groups in Toronto, Burlington, and Hamilton. My specialty is couple's work. If I feel I cannot be of assistance to you, I will attempt to refer you to someone who may be of a better fit.

The service I provide is:

Confidential Compassionate and Effective

Third party coverage is available through most insurance plans.