Jennifer Lysay, PGCert.

Expect a lot of warmth, compassion and understanding in our work together

Hello, I’m Jen, one of the associate therapists here at Counselling & Co. working with individuals, couples and families. I am a Registered Psychotherapist and have been working in community mental health and addictions for the past 20 years.

I am a parent of a kiddo living with ADHD. As the years go by, I have learned that parenting is as important as any other part of a child’s ADHD treatment plan. Every child is different and learning how ADHD specifically affects your child is so important. Often times parents need a safe space to express feeling frustrated, alone, misunderstood and judged. Sometimes it can be helpful to have a place to strategize ways of helping them navigate school challenges, peer relationships, and other symptoms of ADHD. Other times you may just be plain exhausted, low on patience and end up loosing your cool which leads to feelings of guilt, failure and regret. Whatever it is that you are facing know that I am available to be of support to you and your family, while you navigate the journey of parenting your child with ADHD, every step of the way.

I thoroughly enjoy working with both teens and adults with a focused on substance use. People use substances for a variety of reasons, often as a way to manage an underlying issue or pain point. Life can be challenging and it is very easy for any of us to get stuck in an emotional vortex, grasping for anything to help “deal” with or numb out. Together we will bring awareness to your cycle of use, process your painful experiences and create distance from your dependence on a substance for comfort or relief.

I also work specifically with family members who are trying to navigate the world of addiction due to their loved ones substance use. I understand how isolating and painful it can be to witness someone you care deeply for harming themselves and others through their substance use. Together we can create strategies for self-care, establish and help you uphold your boundaries and build out your circle of support.

I focus on building a therapeutic relationship and formulating a treatment plan based on your chosen goals, respecting either harm reduction or abstinence based values. I hope to increase your internal motivation to shift unwanted behaviours and thoughts, in turn increasing your self-esteem and confidence in your ability to create sustainable and long-term change.

Why Work With Me

Expect a lot of warmth, compassion and understanding. After a 20-year long career, please know that I have likely heard a similar story or experience and I will hold space for you to share yours without any judgment or criticism. My work is trauma-informed and recovery-oriented. I feel it is important to work with you from a culturally and religiously sensitive lens to assist in developing healthy goals in collaboration with your values and beliefs. Together we can:

• Reconnect with or redefine yourself and your relationship in more fulfilling ways

• Find more effective ways to cope with and manage your triggers

• Explore parenting a neurodiverse child

• Define what recovery means to you

• Identify and interpret your cycle of addiction

• Re-align so what you value and believe is exactly how you live your life daily

• Find freedom from enabling desires and behaviours

• Examining your thoughts, behaviours, and feelings with compassion

• Set boundaries with support

• Understand and find empathy for yourself and/or your loved one

• Revive hope

Professional Background

I am a Registered Psychotherapist in good standing with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. I have a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and a Post Graduate Diploma in Addictions and Mental Health from Durham College.

I work primarily from an Emotionally Focused approach however I draw on various therapeutic models such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Brief/Solution Focused Therapy to fit your needs. Working from an eclectic approach has been such an integral part of my work, as it allows me the flexibility to meet you where you are.

More About Jennifer

• I work in a Drug Treatment and Mental Health Court program with client’s in the criminal justice system who are substance involved

• Prior to this work, I had a job at Yuk Yuk’s comedy club

• I am biracial

• Pre kids (I have two), I would bake and sell decorated cakes

• I am artistic and love to create designs with my beloved Cricut