For Individuals


Your Journey to Wholeness: Healing from Loss and Rediscovering Joy

Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) for midlife and older adults navigating relationship loss, life transitions, and personal growth.

It’s never too late to rewrite your story.

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Life after 50 can bring profound changes—some expected, some sudden, and all deeply personal. Whether you’re navigating the emotional fallout of a grey divorce, adjusting to the quiet of an empty nest, or processing the impact of a chronic illness, these transitions can leave you feeling lost, overwhelmed, or even disconnected from yourself. But these challenges also offer an opportunity to heal, grow, and rediscover the strength and resilience within you.

Individual therapy using Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) is designed to help you:

  • Heal from relationship losses (e.g., divorce, retirement, chronic illness)
  • Process non-death losses that shape your emotional well-being
  • Navigate life transitions with greater clarity and confidence
  • Rebuild a sense of self that feels authentic and fulfilling

What Is Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)?

A Proven Approach for Healing and Growth

EFIT is an adaptation of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) designed to help individuals understand and heal the emotional wounds that arise from relationship losses and life transitions. Developed by Dr. Sue Johnson, EFIT is grounded in attachment theory—the idea that humans are wired to seek emotional connection and security in their relationships. It helps you recognize how non-death losses (e.g., retirement, divorce, chronic illness) can disrupt your emotional well-being and provides tools to restore resilience and inner peace.

Why EFIT Works for Midlife and Older Adults:

  • Focuses on emotions, not just thoughts or behaviors.
  • Helps you identify and process the grief, disconnection, or uncertainty that come with life’s transitions.
  • Encourages self-compassion and vulnerability, fostering a deeper connection with yourself.
  • Is evidence-based, with over 30 years of research showing its effectiveness in improving emotional well-being and relationship satisfaction.

Benefits of EFIT for Individuals

1. Heal from Relationship Losses

  • Grey Divorce or Separation: Process the emotional fallout of ending a long-term relationship and rebuild your sense of self.
  • Retirement: Adjust to the loss of a shared purpose or identity and redefine your next chapter.
  • Chronic Illness: Navigate the emotional impact of a diagnosis and find ways to cope with the changes it brings to your life.
  • Empty Nest Syndrome: Address the grief and loneliness that can come with children leaving home and rediscover your identity.
  • Financial Changes: Process the emotional impact of downsizing, loss of income, or other financial shifts.

2. Process Non-Death Losses

Non-death losses are just as real and impactful as the loss of a loved one. EFIT helps you:

  • Acknowledge the grief that comes with losing a dream, identity, or way of life.
  • Understand how these losses shape your emotions, behaviors, and relationships.
  • Find meaning and purpose in the midst of change.

3. Navigate Life Transitions

  • Retirement: Redefine your purpose and create a fulfilling post-work life.
  • Blending Families: Navigate the complexities of step-family dynamics and new relationships.
  • Relocation: Adjust to a new home, community, or lifestyle with confidence.
  • Career Changes: Explore new passions, second careers, or part-time work with clarity.

4. Rebuild Emotional Resilience

  • Develop coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, or depression.
  • Cultivate self-compassion and a deeper understanding of your emotional needs.
  • Strengthen your inner resources to face life’s challenges with confidence.

5. Strengthen Your Relationships

  • Gain insights into your attachment style and how it influences your relationships.
  • Learn to communicate your needs more effectively with loved ones.
  • Build healthier boundaries and deeper connections.
a mature woman sitting on sofa using a laptop

Rules in the Therapy Room

  1. Confidentiality: Everything discussed in sessions is private and confidential, unless there is a risk of harm to yourself or others.
  2. Respect: You are encouraged to share openly and honestly, without fear of judgment.
  3. No Blame: The focus is on understanding your emotions and patterns, not on assigning fault.
  4. Commitment to the Process: Therapy works best when you are willing to engage and do the work between sessions.
  5. Honesty: Being open and honest about your feelings, needs, and concerns is essential for progress.

My Role as Your Therapist

  • I act as a process consultant, helping you explore your underlying emotions and experiences.
  • I provide tools and insights to help you understand your patterns and make meaningful changes.
  • I create a safe, supportive space where you can process your feelings without judgment.

Session Details

Session Length and Fees

  • Session Length: 55-80 minutes (extended sessions allow for deeper exploration and progress).
  • Fee: $150/hour (for an 80-minute session, the fee is $225).
  • Payment: Credit card or credit/debit card required on file during intake (for seamless payment upon completion of session).

Why 80-Minute Sessions?

Extended sessions offer several benefits for individuals:

  • More Time to Dive Deep: Allows for a thorough exploration of emotions, patterns, and concerns without feeling rushed.
  • Space to Process: Ensures you have enough time to express yourself fully and work through complex feelings.
  • Greater Progress: Longer sessions often lead to more meaningful breakthroughs and insights.
  • Flexibility: Allows time to practice new coping strategies or emotional regulation techniques during the session itself.

Who Is Individual Therapy Right For?

Individual Therapy May Be a Good Fit If…

✅ You’re navigating a major life transition (e.g., retirement, grey divorce, empty nest, chronic illness).
✅ You’re processing relationship losses or non-death losses (e.g., loss of identity, purpose, or a dream).
✅ You want to reconnect with yourself and rediscover your passions or purpose.
✅ You’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from your emotions or relationships.
✅ You want to build emotional resilience and cope with stress, anxiety, or depression.
✅ You’re seeking support in healing from past wounds (e.g., trauma, grief, or unresolved conflicts).


Individual Therapy May Not Be the Best Fit If…

❌ You’re in acute crisis (e.g., active suicidal ideation with urges to act). In these cases, crisis services or more intensive support may be needed.
❌ You’re looking for couples therapy to address relationship issues with your partner (individual therapy can still support you, but couples therapy may be more appropriate for shared concerns).


FAQs

Is it too late for me to change or heal?

It’s never too late to grow, heal, and rediscover yourself. Many people find that midlife and beyond is a time of deep personal transformation.

I’ve been through so much—can therapy really help?

Yes. Therapy provides a safe space to process your experiences, no matter how complex or painful. EFIT is particularly effective for those navigating non-death losses and life transitions.

What if I don’t know where to start?

That’s okay. Therapy is a collaborative process, and your therapist will guide you in exploring what feels most important to you.

Will I have to talk about things I’ve avoided for years?

That’s the ultimate goal —but at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you (we’ll talk about talking about it). Therapy provides a structured, supportive space to address difficult topics with care.

What if I feel worse before I feel better?

It’s normal to feel temporary discomfort as you begin to process emotions or memories. Your therapist will support you in navigating these feelings and help you build coping strategies.

How to Get the Most Out of Individual Therapy

man in black suit jacket smiling

1. Be Open and Honest
Share your true feelings, fears, and needs—even if they’re difficult to express.
2. Commit to the Process
Therapy works best when you are willing to engage and do the work between sessions.

3. Practice Between Sessions
Apply the tools and insights from therapy to your daily life.

4. Be Patient with Yourself
Change takes time. Celebrate small victories and progress along the way.

5. Communicate Openly with Your Therapist
If something isn’t working, let your therapist know so they can adjust the approach to better suit your needs.

Your Journey to Healing Starts Here

Whether you’re navigating a life transition, processing a loss, or simply seeking to reconnect with yourself, individual therapy can help you find clarity, resilience, and joy. You’ve already taken the first step by considering therapy—imagine what’s possible when you commit to your own growth and healing.

Changes Counselling and Psychotherapy

Love, Loss, and New Beginnings

Golden Lake, ON Canada

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