Angela Holmes is a Registered Psychotherapist with over five years of experience working with clients. Angela holds a Master of Arts degree in Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care from Wilfrid Laurier University, and she is registered in good standing with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
Over the years, Angela has developed a passion for working with individuals to manage symptoms of trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSD/PTSS). In addition to the general population, Angela has experience working with First Responders as well as with individuals involved in the criminal justice system. In her work with survivors of trauma, Angela draws from a trauma informed approach whereby symptoms are not to be considered as something “wrong” with the person. Instead, Angela views symptoms as a reflection of the events and experiences that have taken place in a person’s life, or what has happened to them. Angela possesses in depth knowledge and training in the neurobiology of trauma (the relationship between the body and the mind) and incorporates this awareness into the therapeutic process with the goal of helping clients to gain a sense of control over their healing.
Angela also has specialized training and experience in supporting individuals in their addiction and recovery. Angela has worked closely with not only the individual coping with their addiction, but also their partners and loved ones. Through Angela’s research and work in the field of addictions, she is increasingly aware of the conflicts that addiction stirs up within oneself, as well as in the context of relationships. Specifically, Angela has focused her work on substance and porn addiction.
Through supporting individuals with a history of trauma and addiction, Angela has particular interest in supporting her clients to develop meaningful and healthy coping strategies for symptoms of mental health. Angela recognizes that addiction is often relied on as a solution to managing overwhelming and all-consuming symptoms of mental health. She enjoys supporting her clients to not only develop awareness of their symptoms, but also to manage them in a way that supports functioning in their everyday life. Angela has experience working with individuals who have symptoms of: Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation.
Angela approaches her work from a sex and kink positive framework and she has a passion for empowering her clients to reclaim their sexuality and desires. Angela has experience supporting couples with rebuilding desire, improving communication and trust surrounding sex, desire discordance, orgasms for women’s health, and performance anxiety.
Angela believes that many couples and folks in plural relationships would benefit from taking the time to reflect on their relationship(s), their needs, and ways of coping with conflict. Angela has an interest in supporting folks in relationships to better manage in times of stress, build safer and more intimate relationship(s) with one another, and to thrive in experiences of well being. Angela supports those in relationships to set goals related to improving communication about emotions, building safety and trust, overcoming resentments, and developing different tools for coping with conflict. Angela helps her clients to become more aware of their behaviours, especially during times of distress, and provides strategies on how each person in the relationship can take responsibility for their behaviours and develop the necessary skills to respond differently to one another.
Many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and extended health care plans will cover services rendered by a Registered Psychotherapist.
*Now offering therapist supervision.
