Welcome!
I have been affiliated with the Leaside Therapy Centre and the community it serves since 2006.

My background as an occupational therapist, psychotherapist has served me well in my previous position as a senior clinician in the Adult Outpatient Mental Health Department of North York General Hospital for 28 years.  I am a specialist in stress management and wellness therapy, facilitating clients in behaviour-altering techniques and offering insight-oriented therapy to help them find new/different ways of coping with often unavoidable and  debilitating situations. Many of my clients are also in recovery from illnesses such as clinical depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and eating disorders.  These illnesses present their own unique stressors, often in the form of feeling stigmatized, a loss of self-confidence and self-esteem and most importantly  difficulty returning to meaningful and fulfilling ‘occupation’.

 

My style of therapy is client-centred – that is working with you – the client, focusing on your issues, how you would like to see them changed, and facilitating your learning of healthy and proactive strategies that maximize your sense of personal control over your life.

Although I see many clients in my office at Leaside Therapy Centre, my therapy also may extend out into the community and neighbourhood where you live and/or work on an as-needed basis; this is because dealing with specific stressors and  situations cannot always be well replicated in an office setting.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Graduate Occupational Therapist from University of Toronto
• Member  of Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists
• Registered member Ontario College of Occupational Therapists

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT

NORTH YORK GENERAL HOSPITAL
Occupational Therapist, specializing in adults and teens
Oupatient  Mental Health Department and Psychiatric Day Hospital
Individual and Group Therapist 1978 –2006

In 1991/92 I was actively involved in the inception of the North York General Hospital Teen Clinic (now Adolescent Health Service) and trained to work with teens presenting with a variety of psychosocial and psychiatric disorders.  An offshoot of this was the development of the Eating Disorder outpatient program of which I was a team clinician for over 10 years both as an individual and group therapist.

COTAHEALTH
Community mental health therapist since 2006  providing in-home and community based support to clients with significant psychiatric and psychosocial disorders.

LEASIDE THERAPY CENTRE
In 2006 I joined the Leaside Therapy Centre and continue to work with clients dealing with issues of recovery from anxiety and related disorders such as phobias, OCD, panic and social anxiety; mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorders; situational and adjustment disorders; eating disorders. Many of my clients are experiencing  difficulty reintegrating back into a meaningful and functional life;  often this includes  rebuilding or healing stressed relationships with family, friends and work colleagues.

CONSULTATION AND FEES
I utilize a behavioural, insight-oriented and supportive approach that recognizes the importance of maximizing and focusing on your individual strengths and abilities using realistic coping strategies.

I welcome the opportunity to provide further information either by telephone or for a no-charge 30 minute consultation.
I offer affordable hourly fees of $85.  A sliding scale is available .

Please feel free to contact me at 416-481-2600 ext.26 
or by email at susan.dane@hotmail.com