top of page
Image (7).jpeg
Green minimalism_edited.jpg

HEADS UP Psychotherapy

Now Offering

 

Prolonged Exposure Therapy for

Post-traumatic Stress

 

Disorder (PTSD)

RSVP

  • Instagram

Welcome and thank you for stopping by!

 

If you have landed here, chances are you may be struggling psychologically, emotionally, physically or socially, or you may know someone who is. As you scroll through, please know that life can be tough and you are not alone. Chances are you are reacting in a very normal way to an abnormal situation or experience. Your struggles do not define who you are as a person. The fact that you are here taking this first step to wellness shows your courage and resiliency

Currently Accepting New Clients

Lauren Maltby
BA, MACP, Brainspotting Therapist
Certified in Acute Stress Stabilization (ASSYST) and Prolonged Exposure for PTSD
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
My Approach

My goal in opening a new Psychotherapy practice (May of 2023) was to bring something new to the profession. A more effective and efficient way in which clients could begin accessing and processing their traumas in a healthy and more positive way, without long-term suffering. 

 

I am one of the few service providers in Northern Ontario to offer Brainspotting as a psychotherapeutic modality. Not only is Brainspotting helpful in accessing and processing years (or sole incidences) of trauma, it is also helpful in addressing performance blocks and anxieties in sport. By implementing a combination approach, it offers a more complete way of helping combat several mental health disorders including ADD/ADHD, OCD, phobias, unhealthy habits, drug or alcohol use, anxiety and depression to name a few...

 

Throughout my own journey to mental wellness I responded well to therapists that were willing to simply listen and support me with where I was at mentally and emotionally. As a result, my non-directive approach to counselling is much the same, with my main goal being to provide a safe, non-judgemental and supportive environment for my client's to discuss their traumas, stressors and mental health concerns. My client's are my number one priority.

 

In using a person-centred, collaborative approach, treatment plans are developed in a way that best suits the client(s) needs and goals for therapy and for life moving forward. 

 

 Most importantly, you (as the client) are the experts of your own stories and my goal is to support and guide you towards a healthier, more meaningful and purposeful life.

 

I look forward to supporting you in your journey!

​

Life is precious, do not suffer in silence. You are never alone.

Closeup of Succulent Plants
My Own Journey

With 10 years of experience on the frontline as a police officer, I experienced many on the job exposures to trauma, tragedy and disregard for human life. I am personally aware of the toll this can take on a first responders mental health as well as their families and loved ones.

 

When I was first impacted by my own professional and personal trauma experiences, I soon realized that my way of 'dealing with things' was to push them to the side, compartmentalize and become desensitized to the normal reactions I was having to abnormal situations. This served me well short-term, however, it hurt me in the long run.

 

Not long after, I was diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and was suffering from severe anxiety and depression. My goal moving forward was to learn why this was happening to me and why I was not able to COPE anymore.

​

In becoming aware of the reasons why my body and mind's attempt to processing these traumatic experiences was not helping, it made me want to help others (even more than I already did) and be there to guide them so that they do not have to experience the shame, disappointment, loneliness, confusion and frustration associated with having a mental health issue or diagnosis.

1.

Individual
Psychotherapy

One-on-one therapy providing the client a safe, non-judgemental, respectful and positive environment to express their struggles and concerns. In using a person-centered and collaborative approach to therapy, an individualized treatment plan is created that best suits the clients needs.

 

Keeping in mind that no two people are the same, nor have they experienced the exact same situations in their lives, it is important to create a tailored approach to treatment for each individual that comes through the door.

​

Evidence-based and trauma-informed modalities offered:

​

  • CBT

  • CPT

  • ACT

  • Mindfulness 

  • Strengths-based Resiliency

​

For adults (18+) individual therapy can be used in conjunction with Brainspotting (case dependent).

 

Welcoming clients ages 12+

​

Session Fee(s):

$165 (50 min) tax incl.

​

2.

Family
Therapy

In using Family Systems Theory (Bowenian Therapy) it is important to discover the unique communication styles of each person in the family dynamic. Do you feel as though your family members would benefit from making attempts to:

 

  • Understand one another with less misunderstandings and miscommunications and make decisions that best suit the family, NOT just the individual

  • Increase problem solving skills with less hostility and volatility

  • Create a safe space to express thoughts, feelings and emotions in a productive manner

  • Increase communication techniques and strategies

  • Respect one another's perspectives

  • Positively support one another while working through difficult situations as a team

​

Session Fee(s):

 $180 (50 min) tax incl.

 

​

​

3.

Brainspotting
for Trauma (Including Athletes)

Uses a client's visual field to access the subcortical part of the brain where trauma is stored. 

​

  • Relevant Eye Positioning

  • Somatic Awareness

  • Mindfulness

  • Using the body and mind's innate ability to heal

  • Integrates well with other modalities

  • Used with less talking than conventional talk therapy

  • Use of bilateral sound to activate the left and right brain that is responsible for calming (optional)

​

...FOR ATHLETES

​

Have you lost the motivation to engage or compete in a sport that you loved? Did you experience or witness a traumatic injury to yourself or someone else?​ Brainspotting assists by:

​

  • Performance limited by:

    • Blocks​

    • Anxiety

    • Repetitive mistakes

    • The 'slumps'

    • Yips

​

As an athlete, you already possess the skill, determination and physical means to be the best you can. Let's create that mind-body connection and locate the brainspot where your block is being held so that you can reach your fullest potential. 

 

Welcoming clients 16+

 

Session Fee(s): 

$190 (50 min) tax incl.

$230 (90 min) tax incl.

​

​

Member of Brainspotting Canada Association (BCA)

​

​

4.

Acute Stress Syndrome Stabilization (ASSYST)

In partnership with

Miranda Arellano

EMDR Certified Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist 

Healing Connections

North Bay, ON​

​

Offered via:

  • In-person and virtual

    • Individual ​

    • Group

    • To those who are experiencing signs of Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)​

  • Fieldwork involving humanitarian placement and critical incident response

​

AIP-informed, Low-Intensity-Interventions (LII) through psychophysiological symptom-reduction approach to assist with:

  • Nervous system regulation

  • Expanding the window of tolerance

  • Lowering the impact of recurrent memories of adverse experience(s) that include one or more of the following components

​

  1. Sensory 

  2. Emotional 

  3. Physiological

​

Can be administered within:

  1. First few hours            (Critical Incident)

  2. Days (Rapid Response)

  3. First three months        (Early Intervention)

​

Costs dependent on:

  • Number of persons involved

  • Level of care required

​

Being proactive prior to symptoms of PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) surfacing is an important factor to consider when reaching out! 

 

Please, don't wait!

​

​

​

​

​

​

Therapy Sessions

What is Brainspotting?

  • A neuroscientific-informed treatment developed by David Grand (2003)

  • Uses the brain's natural healing processes through a client's visual field In

  • Using relevant eye position and focused mindfulness

  •  Provides deeper access to previously unprocessed traumas

​

As the therapist, I stay in tune with my client's reflexive bodily responses in relation to relevant eye position. The focus remains on specific areas in the client's visual field that signifies a heightened level of discomfort or avoidance.

"Where you look affects how you feel..." 
                    David Grand

Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy for
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

(T-CBT)

 

Teaches you to gradually approach your trauma-related memories, feelings and feared situations. Most people affected by PTSD do everything they can to AVOID anything that reminds them of their traumatic experiences. However, by doing this, their fear becomes reinforced, making it more and more difficult to break away.

​

The goal here is to allow clients to use strategies and techniques used through imaginal and in vivo (real life) exposure to re-learn that the stimuli, triggers and situations previously seen as a threat (or perceived threat) are no longer a danger to them, which ultimately releases the client from the hold these memories and emotions have had on them.

(Foa & Rothbaum, 1998)

​

  • Time-limited, Structured, Reintegrative Reprocessing Therapy

  • Perfect for: First Responders, Veterans, Military, anyone diagnosed with PTSD, clients who experience specific symptomatic criteria for sub-threshold PTSD     (those who may not specifically be diagnosed with PTSD)

 

Session Fee(s):

$200 For 90 minutes

(Minimum session time- up to 90 minutes)

​

Now Offering!

What Issues and Concerns Do I Specialize In?

1.

Anxiety and Depression

2.

Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence and Empowerment

3.

Anger, Stress and 

Avoidance Behaviours

4.

Performance Blocks, Anxieties and Slumps in Sport

5.

Trauma and Survivors of Trauma

-Cancellation Policy-

  • Minimum 24 hours notice required to cancel your scheduled appointment

  • Cancellation within 6 hours of your scheduled appointment will be considered a LATE CANCEL of $100

  • A 'NO SHOW' will require a payment of full session fee

PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE AND MINDFUL OF THIS POLICY. YOUR COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING IS MUCH APPRECIATED, THANK YOU.

Contact
My scars tell a story but, they do not define me. They are however, a reminder of what tried to break me, but failed.
 
Steve Mariboli
bottom of page