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Tracy B Richards RIHR
Personal Growth, Spirituality, Relationships & Families
Compassionate, Experienced Guidance to Individuals and Families living through Separation & Divorce
If you prefer to conduct your sessions by phone, please click the link below to arrange a time to speak:
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE MY AVAILABILITY SCHEDULE:
Or call me directly at:
647-723-5274
ext 235
Free Consultation Available
I CAN RELATE...
“I’m so afraid. Please, god help me. I fear I’ve made some terrible mistakes and that I am somehow heading for a disaster of huge proportions.”
Believe it or not, these are the first few lines of a journal entry of mine. When I wrote this, I had been in the process of a very difficult divorce for over 3 years and I was battling an episode of fear that was so crippling, I could not go 5 minutes without feeling intense panic and a sense of doom. This may come as a surprise to some because, not only do I make my living helping others with their life’s challenges, I also have a reputation for strength, optimism and resiliency. Those who know me would find it hard to believe that I could be capable of going to such a dark place and, thankfully, I can recall only a few times that I have felt like that in my life. Nevertheless, under the tremendous strain of my divorce and the subsequent upheaval in my life, I found myself in the grip of a fear so unbearable, it made me question my worth, my choices and everything I believe in.
I think its important to share this with you to illustrate that none of us are exempt from having periods where we feel overwhelmed, sad, confused, fearful, panicky or generally unable to cope but we often don’t know what to do to help ourselves, no matter how much experience we have in helping others. It is in these moments that we need unbiased support and the encouragement to keep going and work through our challenges but we often find that friends and family lack the skills and objectivity to deal with our needs effectively. This is where the help of a therapist becomes extremely valuable. I did not have to face my challenges alone, and neither do you.
Experience & Areas of Focus
In addition to my professional training as a Psychotherapist at Transformational Arts College in Toronto, Canada, I have had several decades of personal and practical experience in Personal Growth, Spirituality, Relationships, and Families. My background includes Sexual, Verbal, Physical and Financial Abuse and Power Imbalances; Addiction; Infidelity; Anger; Childhood Abandonment ; Spirituality; Energy Work; Meditation; Homeopathy; Alternative Therapies; Group Therapy; Intensive Therapy; Wellness Workshops and more.
I am raising four children and have lived through a very difficult divorce and, as such, I feel that I have valuable insights about relationships and family dynamics that can only be gained through first hand experience. In addition, I have acquired considerable knowledge and understanding of the Separation and Divorce process in Ontario from the perspective of one who has been through the system and this area has emerged as one which I feel very strongly about. I feel that there is a great need for a therapeutic program that addresses the thoughts, questions and issues that are unique to couples and individuals who are considering or who have decided to end a relationship, particularly when children are involved. I have seen how dramatically different the effects of separation can be when approached with awareness, inner strength and compassion but this is not easy to achieve without constant support and proper skill development and practice.
My Philosophy
I have a philosophy that every person, of any age or background, has the power to live an inspired life and I believe that one’s attitude and perspective have a lot to do with how we respond to whatever challenges we face. We cannot always control what happens to us, but we do have the power to choose how we respond. Working with me, either individually, as a couple or with a group offers you the benefit of developing awareness skills that will lead you to a greater understanding of what makes you tick. I will share with you my relevant personal experiences, my principles and my philosophy while giving you the freedom to address your immediate needs as well as to appreciate your infinite potential as it reveals itself throughout the process. The Joy you were born to live with is just waiting for you. All you have to do is line up with it.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
First, I can help by listening. We sometimes forget how important it is just to have someone to talk to. And that's how we will begin. You'll talk, I'll listen.
As I hear your story, I will get to know you a little better and will develop a sense of what you are looking for. We will talk more about your experiences, challenges, patterns and influences and identify your "buttons" . All this will help us to understand how you evolved into the person you are now. For the purposes of our work together, it is very necessary that you develop an honest awareness about who you are, warts and all. Remember, NOBODY is flawless and EVERYBODY makes mistakes and true growth only happens when we are able to step into the light, recognize our flaws and learn to accept ourselves as we TRULY are, and not the adapted version that we have convinced ourselves we are.
When we get to know each other better ( I often share anecdotes from my own experiences as a way to offer perspective and insight into the areas we are dealing with), we will be in a position to explore the beliefs which have influenced your thought patterns and your choices until now (and vice versa), so that you may make more conscious, healthy choices as you move forward into the future.
Throughout the process, I will help you to gain clarity about what inspires you and what brings meaning and a sense of purpose to your life. I will introduce you to the greatest tool you will ever have - Your Emotional Guidance System - and teach you the skills you will need to practice in order to transform your thought patterns and begin to make increasingly empowering decisions.
My goal is to help you to understand that, by always giving your attention to the way you feel and learning how to trust your Emotional Guidance System, you can ensure that you will always be moving in the direction of happiness, fun and fulfillment.
More about Me
I am a professional member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
I am an enthusiastic entrepreneur and the Visionary & Founder of the following enterprises:
Soul Spa Urban Retreat
Club Sangha Gatherings to Inspire Soulful Connections;
Aura Boutique for Inspired Living;
The Flowerchild Festival
I am a faculty member of
Transformational Arts College, Toronto
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