Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a constructive and proactive approach to dealing with life changes and challenges through conversation, reflection, and psychological methods. A trained psychotherapy provider in Toronto can support patients with emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, dysphoria, or grief; help clients deal with conflict and transitions in their personal or professional life; or address negative moods, emotions, or behaviours in order to refocus attention on habits and actions that positively impact their self-confidence, personal identity, and interpersonal relationships.

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Psychotherapy is whole-person healthcare

In Toronto, Psychotherapy is considered a healthcare treatment which can only be performed by certain regulated health professionals: registered psychotherapists (RP), registered social workers (RSW), psychologists, and psychiatrists. At Anatomica, Psychotherapy sessions are provided by a registered social worker.

Why choose a Registered Social Worker for Psychotherapy?

Social workers understand the connection between personal struggles and larger social issues,  offering a unique and comprehensive approach that considers the broader context of a client's life, including how their family, community, socioeconomic factors, and their environment influence well-being, in addition to psychological factors.

Social work education often includes anti-oppressive and anti-racist frameworks, meaning social workers are skilled at understanding how systemic forces and identity influence mental health. They are also uniquely qualified to help their patients navigate the healthcare and social service systems and connect them with community resources and help patients advocate for themselves in these settings. 

Karen Kugelmass

MSW, RSW

Psychotherapy

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 Top Reasons to See a Psychotherapist in Toronto

  • Identify causes of stress and coping strategies
  • Accept and adapt to life changes and losses
  • Develop self-confidence and self-awareness
  • Improve sense of life fullfillment and happiness
  • Navigate health challenges, disability or injury
  • Make positive changes and new healthy habits
  • Improve relationships with family or colleagues
  • Set and reach personal and professional goals
  • Heal from trauma, grief, and emotional distress
  • Help manage anxiety, depression, and mood
  • Address unhelpful trigger/response patterns

Is psychotherapy for people with mental health problems?

We all have mental health. Some days it's better than others, and for some people, it's worse more often. Psychotherapy can help anyone and everyone -- regardless of their mental health status -- as it focuses on bringing reflection and self-awareness to the individual's personal circumstances and the factors which are within our control.

For patients who regularly experience good mental health, these controllable factors may look different than for those who are struggling with mental health conditions. Psychotherapy provides support, advocacy, and guidance to create positive change in your life, no matter where you are starting from.

Financial Stress Sex and Relationships Health Challenges Gender and Sexuality Self Discovery Grief and Loss Professional Goals Goal Setting Parenting

  • Financial Stress

    Financial stress is a source of anxiety that impacts almost everyone at some point. Concerns about job loss, providing for a growing family, or retirement planning are common, and stress arising from debt, insolvency, gambling, financial infidelity in relationships, and inheritance can have a deep impact on mental health. Feelings of guilt, shame, and fear are nearly universal with financial stress, but Psychotherapy can help reframe negative thoughts into actionable steps no matter where you're starting from. 

  • Sex and Relationships

    Dating, sex, and romantic relationships can offer unique challenges and opportunities for personal growth and discovery. Psychotherapy can help individuals improve communication and healthy boundaries, and provide skills to help resolve issues surrounding values differences, sex and sexual health, compatibility, and the unique relationship challenges for polyamorous and monogamous people. 

  • Health Challenges

    Coming to terms with a new diagnosis, chronic condition, traumatic injury, or upcoming surgery is something most people will go through at some point in our lives. Most people will also support a loved one through similar challenges. Psychotherapy can help people cope with changes and stresses that accompany sickness, disability, and caregiving.

  • Gender and Sexuality

    Talking with a Psychotherapist can help people learn to love and express themselves, unlearn negative internalized beliefs, and foster skills to communicate with the important people in their lives about their gender identity, sexuality, non-conforming self-expression or relationships, and boundaries. Psychotherapy can also support the loved ones of gender-diverse and LBGT2SQ+ people who want to improve their understanding and allyship. 

  • Self Discovery

    Self discovery, along with understanding and embracing your personal identity is a life-long process that can present challenging emotions, difficult decisions, and impact work, family, relationships, and all areas of life. Inclusive psychotherapy is a safe place for exploration, processing emotions and daily stressors, and building a greater sense of self-confidence and purpose. Psychotherapy can help people focus their attention and energy on positive thoughts and actions that can improve their lives and sense of satisfaction with themselves. 

  • Grief and Loss

    Grief and loss bring naturally heavy emotions that can impact everyday life. Losing someone can also raise buried feelings, memories, and trauma, which can challenge core beliefs, identity and coping skills. Prolonged or intense feelings of sadness may also contribute to depression, especially when unhealthy rumination, thought patterns or coping behaviours are present. Psychotherapy can hold space for individuals to process these intense emotions, while offering support and positive strategies.

  • Professional Skills

    Psychotherapy can help people build confidence and improve communication in the workplace. Learn to set and achieve goals, foster healthy boundaries and work-life balance, and improve rapport with your colleagues, employers, or team members under your supervision. Psychotherapists help people to envision and manifest success through evidence-based, practical, and uniquely personal introspection and behaviour modification strategies. 

  • Personal Growth

    Learn skills for personal growth, emotional regulation, goal setting and habit formation or cessation. Psychotherapy can help identify and break negative thought cycles, generational trauma patterns, and triggers for unhealthy behaviours. Psychotherapy is a supportive place to learn how to change what isn't working in your life, and focus on actionable steps you can take to boost self-confidence and be the person you want to be. 

  • Parenting Challenges

    Parenting presents unique challenges, from navigating co-parenting relationships, schedules, and household responsibilities, to maintaining boundaries with extended family, and helping your child or teen develop healthy independence. Psychotherapy helps parents lead by example and identify their own triggers and change behavioural patterns that they don't want their kids to repeat. A psychotherapist can help parents address their child's behavioural concerns in a productive way, and offer support and valuable self-care advice during the most challenging moments.

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Psychotherapy Modalities

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Narrative Therapy

Relational Psychotherapy

Mindfulness Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Learn More about Psychotherapy

Is Psychotherapy Covered by Insurance?

Psychotherapy, when provided by a Registered Social Worker, is covered by most insurance plans and eligible for direct billing with many providers. Psychotherapy may also be an allowable expense under some Healthcare Spending Accounts. Please consult your plan for coverage details.

Benefits Plans that offer Psychotherapy (RSW)

Greenshield, Medavie BlueCross, Sunlife, Manulife and Canada Life and many others commonly offer coverage for psychotherapy performed by a registered social worker, but benefits plan vary from policy to policy. Please consult your individual policy provider for coverage rules and details.

Virtual Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy From the Comfort of Your Home

With telehealth services, you can meet with your psychotherapist from the comfort of your own home so that you feel safe and free to express your emotions fully. Connect with your provider directly through your patient portal on Anatomica's secure booking site, without needing to download any software or apps.

Seamlessly Integrated Billing and Payment

Anatomica offers direct billing for psychotherapy on most major insurance plans. Your credit card and insurance information are stored securely in your patient portal, allowing our admin team to process your billing and payment once your session begins.

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Social Work and Psychotherapy at Anatomica

Meet Karen Kugelmass, MSW, RSW

Karen Kugelmass is a Registered Social Worker and affirming psychotherapy provider for individuals seeking support with emotional and mood concerns, relationship challenges, life transitions, and other issues affecting their mental health and overall well-being.

With a warm, inclusive, and collaborative approach, Karen helps clients explore how early experiences and systemic barriers shape their relationships and self-perception. She uses a blend of psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and narrative therapy to identify what’s working, and what isn't — and to create meaningful strategies for change. 

Karen Kugelmass

Ph.D.(Ed), M.SW, RSW

Social Worker, Psychotherapist

 

More about Karen
Book with Karen

Areas of Practice and Experience

Psychotherapy may be helpful for those managing the emotional impact of injury, illness, or disability; recovering from burnout; coping with anxiety or depression; or navigating experiences of marginalization or identity exploration.

While their practice is open to all, Karen is especially experienced in working with queer and trans clients, and her approach is feircly queer-friendly, gender- and neurodiversity-affirming, sex-positive, and anti-racist. They also are qualified to provide Second Assessments for Gender-Affirming Surgery, and offer support for families and loved ones of transgender clients.

All services are by telehealth (virtual)