The Trauma and Narcissistic Abuse Therapist FAQs

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The Trauma and Narcissistic Abuse Therapist works mainly with adult clients who are experiencing the following:

• Anxiety
• Big Life Transitions
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Narcissistic Abuse
• Negative Life Events
• PTSD
• Stress
• Trauma

People seeking our therapy services do not need a diagnosis or referral from their medical doctor to book an appointment.

Our psychotherapy services are not covered by OHIP or ODSP. We do not offer pro bono or sliding scale fees at this time. If you have insurance coverage for a registered psychotherapist, you can submit your receipt for reimbursement. Check with your insurance plan before booking your appointment if coverage is important to you. 

• Psychotherapy fees for individuals are $180.00 per session. 
• Group psychotherapy fees are $60.00 per session. The group fees are prepaid and non refundable two weeks prior to the group starting. 
• Additional fees may arise for services such meetings with client's doctor or writing letters etc. These fees are discussed when additional requests are made. 

Cancellation Policy

Individual Psychotherapy Session:

If an individual's psychotherapy session is not cancelled within 48 hour of the appointment time, full fees are charged.

Group Psychotherapy Sessions

If a person pre-paid for a psychotherapy group, their full fee will be refunded if they request to cancel their participation two weeks prior to the group start date. 

If a person misses one of their group sessions, there is not a make up session nor a refund given. 

In person groups may be cancelled and rescheduled if there is inclement weather, where public buses are cancelled. 

Privacy Policy

Personal information and therapy sessions with the psychotherapist Heather Caruso are kept private and confidential. However, there are specific circumstances where confidentiality may be breached:

When Confidentiality Does Not Apply

• Risk of Harm: If a client expresses intent to harm themselves or others, confidentiality will be overridden to ensure safety.
• Child Abuse: Any disclosure or suspicion of abuse involving a minor requires reporting to the appropriate authorities.
• Harassment: If an individual contacts the therapist or staff with the intent to harm or harass, privacy laws may not apply in such cases.

Confidentiality for Teens and Children

For younger clients, parents receive updates on their child’s progress. However, the therapist discusses with the client what specific information they consent to share with their parents. The focus remains on sharing information that benefits the client’s therapeutic process.

Heather Caruso is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment, while adhering to legal and ethical standards regarding confidentiality and keeping the client and the therapist safe. 

Heather Caruso is a registered psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and an art therapist registered with the Canadian Art Therapy Association  (CATA) and Ontario Art Therapy Association (OATA). Not all art therapists are registered psychotherapists. To become an RP in Ontario, one must demonstrate high standards and follow the CRPO’s guidelines to ensure the public’s best interest, demonstrate competency, integrity, learning and ethical practices. 

She collaborates with her clients to offer them a variety of therapy modalities tailored to the client’s unique needs such as:

• art therapy
• brainspotting therapy
• CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy
• DBT, dialectical behavioral therapy
• internal family systems therapy
• mindfulness based stress relief
• talk therapy
• trauma counseling

Heather also specializes in trauma counseling, narcissistic abuse. She works online and in person supporting clients experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, big transitions, negative life events, stress, trauma and PTSD. She works online and in person with clients rom Guelph Ontario. 

Our is a registered psychotherapist specializing in trauma, narcissistic abuse and adult children of narcissistic or dysfunctional or emotionally immature parents. 

They have trained extensively to support trauma clients. For example, they has completed training in: 

• Certified Clinical Trauma Professional level I and II for Complex Trauma (CCTP-II)
• Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC)
• Certified ACNP, Adult Children of Narcissistic Parents Therapist
• Certificate in Trauma Counselling for Mental Health Professionals
• Internal Family Systems for Complex Trauma
• Brainspotting Phase 1 and 2

Our Therapist has received training from renowned experts in the field of narcissistic abuse, including Dr. Ramani Durvasula, Dr. Karyl McBride, and Lindsay Gibson. This list of training is incomplete, however our therapist continues to seek excellence in her practice in order to support clients who have experienced trauma and narcissistic abuse. 

Our therapist has expertise in supporting individuals who have experienced trauma, narcissistic abuse, and those who are adult children of narcissistic, dysfunctional, or emotionally immature parents. This practice is dedicated to working with clients who are navigating the effects of dysfunctional patterns or abusive relationships. While they are deeply committed to providing compassionate care, our therapeutic approach and training are not focused on treating individuals who have been diagnosed with personality disorders or who have the characteristics of one. If you are seeking support as someone affected by these challenges, our therapist is here to help guide you on your healing journey.

The therapist will collaborate with the client on what therapy focus they feel comfortable with and what therapy would give the client the best results for their goals. The therapist will give the client full disclosure on what the therapy entails, what to expect  in order for the client to decide what is best for them. The therapist respects the client's voice. 

An initial therapy session is 80 minutes long and a follow up therapy session is 50 minutes long. Group therapy sessions tend to be 180 minutes. A get acquainted chat with the therapy is typically 20 to 30 minutes. 

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that combines therapy with creative expression. Unlike talk therapy, it uses artmaking as a tool for the healthy expression of emotions, feelings and lived experiences. It helps when words fail and is more experiential than verbal.

Art therapy can help with expressing and processing negative experiences, feelings and emotions. Talking about your creation provides a great opportunity to learn more about yourself, develop coping strategies and gain personal insight. During sessions, my clients say they experience positive self-growth and emotional release. Their creativity is often sparked.

Art therapy has deep roots in modern psychotherapy. Although it was formally considered a therapy in the ’50s, it has been around for hundreds of years. Many famous psychologists have stated that artmaking is an amazing way to express oneself and that it’s good for mental health and our soul. Carl Jung, Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers all promoted art-making in their writings but the clever psychotherapist, Margaret Naumberg was the grandmother of art therapy. Way to rock Grandma Naumberg!
Despite some people using the term “art therapy” it is not simply art class or art making. Those things do feel therapeutic, but art therapy only happens between a trained art therapist and a client.

People do not have to be skilled at art to participate in art therapy. They just have to have a desire to use creative expression in therapy. People who dislike artmaking tend to also dislike art therapy. 

Art therapy is not a requirement of working with the trauma and narcissistic abuse therapist. People can choose what they want to do and focus on. 

People who do video conferencing art therapy sessions require a tablet, phone or computer with a camera and speakers. We use a PIPEDA-compliant zoom app. They also need an internet connection with our suggested app, a private, quiet area with a workspace and their art supplies handy.

Art supplies should be pencils, pencil crayons, markers, acrylic or watercolour paints and brushes, air dry clay and or play dough, magazines, glue and scissors (for collage) and pastels. An art journal, 9 x 12 inches with thick paper is useful, however paper can be larger up to 22 x 28 inches.