Kaitlin Baldwin
M.A., Registered Psychotherapist
Education
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
— Yorkville University
Graduate Certificate in Concurrent Disorders
— Mohawk College
Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Neuroscience, & Behaviour
— McMaster University
Pronouns: she/her
Therapy Style: I like to explore, encourage, and challenge. The goal for me is to develop a foundation of self-awareness and self-care strategies that will allow you to work through any problems you may face in the future. There's no immediate pressure to "fix" anything, especially because most people (myself included) walk in the door with the weight of all their high (and often, unrealistic) expectations of themselves. I believe that underneath each problem or concern, there are usually common themes of fear, shame, failure, loss, and uncertainty—and that it can be less intimidating to explore these themes with the non-judgmental support of a therapist. Once we have a strong relationship, however, I will start to challenge you—especially when you try to tear yourself down—and encourage you to lean into the difficult and uncomfortable conversations. That's what makes therapy (with me) different than conversations you would have with friends or family. I also believe that you have the skills and self-knowledge to overcome your difficulties; what may be missing is a supportive and empathetic environment that you can feel safe in.
Models & Therapeutic Approaches: I use a few different models of therapy and cater my use of them to your unique individual needs. Ultimately, I use whatever is needed to be honest, challenging, and empowering. My primary approach focuses on balancing two things: fully accepting who we are now and changing for the better. Rather than looking at each type of problem or mental health disorder separately, my interventions focus on the underlying processes that are underneath all kinds of challenges (anxiety, substance use, depression, anger, etc.). The models I pull from include Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Structured Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).
Trainings:
Telehealth 101— The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, 2020
Telepsychology 101— American Psychological Association, 2020
From Bystander to Ally— San'Yas Indigenous Cultural Safety, 2019
CBT for Frontline Workers— Ian Robertson Therapy and Counseling Services, 2019
Motivational Interview Training— Ian Robertson Therapy and Counseling Services, 2019
Core Training— San'Yas Indigenous Cultural Safety, 2018
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy 4-Day Workshop— By Clinical Design, 2018
Interests & Hobbies: Rain is my favourite thing in the world, dancing is my truest love in life, hiking keeps me refreshed, skateboarding is scary and awesome, and ukelele is a new passion!
