ABOUT

Joel Brooks

Registered Psychologist

Joel understands the overwhelming feelings that can arise when facing life's challenges. He sees therapy as a collaborative relationship between the client and the clinician, involving guidance and active listening. At times, clients may need direction, while at other moments, they may require someone to support their own insights.

Together, you and Joel will adjust the approach to ensure it works for you. Ultimately, Joel's goal is for you to leave each session with a clearer sense of direction, a feeling of relief, and practical skills that you can apply in your daily life.

About Joel’s Approach:

Joel’s approach is grounded in well-established therapeutic approaches:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, goal-oriented approach that helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to unwanted behaviors. Together, we will explore how your thoughts influence your emotions and actions, and develop strategies to cultivate adaptive ways of thinking and coping. This method is effective in managing anxiety, depression, and stress.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. It encourages individuals to think in shades of gray and to accept conflicting emotions. This therapeutic approach is beneficial for those dealing with intense emotions, relationship difficulties, and self-harming behaviours. DBT focuses on developing skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can ultimately assist anyone in navigating life's challenges more effectively.

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach aimed at helping individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences and distressing memories. This method involves guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, such as tapping or vibrations. Additionally, Joel can adapt EMDR to include play-based techniques. This therapy helps individuals process their emotions, reduce emotional distress, gain new perspectives on past events, and enhance their mental resilience.

  • Psycho-educational assessments are thorough evaluations of an individual's cognitive, academic, and social-emotional functioning. They aim to identify both strengths and challenges. Joel's assessments utilize standardized tests to clarify mental health diagnoses and provide insights into intellectual abilities and academic performance. The results of these assessments assist in guiding educational planning, therapeutic interventions, and tailored support.