Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), EMDR Therapist

Hello, I’m Debby!

I am a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), at Christina Janiga Psychotherapy Clinic. I provide individual psychotherapy  for trauma, career challenges, LGBTQIA+, and grief. Throughout my experiences, I work with young adults trying to navigate their career and life paths, provide support for the LGBTQIA+ community, and support those grieving the loss of a loved one.

What to Expect in Our Psychotherapy Sessions

Perhaps you’ve never tried therapy, or you’ve taken a break and now feels like the right time to get support. I use a number of different types of therapy modalities to provide care, but fundamentally I work from a client-centred and EMDR Therapy perspective. This means who you are influences how our therapy sessions go and which approaches I may use to support your healing and growth. You can expect us to have conversations about your current life, what your hopes for the future are, and how we can work to make positive, realistic changes. I’ll be there for you as you explore and grow toward a more peaceful, sustainable, and satisfying day-to-day life.

Working With Students has Guided My Journey to Becoming a Therapist

Before beginning my studies to become a therapist, I worked one-on-one with students of all ages as a private tutor and mentor. Aside from sharing my educational knowledge, I also helped my clients as they made the important decisions regarding which subject(s) to study, and which university or college to attend. Many students talked about their struggles with important tests, big life decisions, and family-related issues. Witnessing the deep anxiety that these students experience and helping them through these challenges pushed me to learn more about mental health. This was a driving force for why I started my journey to becoming a therapist.

My Lived Experiences Can Inform How I Support You

I’ve had many experiences that may help me better relate to you. I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and have been in a loving, long-term relationship with my female partner for a number of years. As a queer woman, I’ve experienced discrimination and alienation from both strangers and loved ones. I’ve also confronted deep grief from the loss of a parent, and I understand how bereavement can colour a person’s world. Therapy has been an invaluable tool in helping me navigate difficult experiences, manage complex relationships, and process emotions.

My Mental Health Approach is Eclectic and Includes:

• Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Humanistic Therapeutic Approach
• Motivational Interviewing
• Ego state/parts work (informed)

Will Your Therapy Journey Start Here?

You might be on the fence about seeing a psychotherapist. Part of you may want to try something new, but another part may worry that therapy will require a lot of time and energy. Therapy at its core is a new path to self-discovery. It can bring up different emotions (including joy and laughter) and it can be described as self-work. I provide virtual psychotherapy sessions, I am accepting new clients, and I look forward to working with you.