Harmony ProfileS: New River Therapy

Therapists Tap Self Awareness to Heal Emotional Wounds

By Lorraine Campbell

Julie Devaney and Rob Whiteman of NEW RIVER THERAPY are new residents at Harmony Centre. They offer in-person or virtual counselling following the Gestalt method, a style of psychotherapy that focusses on self-awareness and responsibility, and the present moment. The method views the client as a whole person: emotions as well as body.

Gestalt therapy is beneficial for a range of issues, including: anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, trauma, substance abuse and other issues.

Following five years of training at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto and a further two years securing their registration with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, they set up their practice in Gestalt Therapy in Toronto in 2018. During the pandemic they made the shift to virtual sessions, and their client base expanded exponentially as their catchment area became unlimited. With the realization that their business could thrive regardless of their location, they recently moved to Owen Sound without disrupting services to their clients.

Expression is Key

New River Therapy offers individual, couple, and group sessions (to a maximum of 10) for clients 12 years of age and up. Their clients come to them either through referral, word of mouth, or accessing online databases. The magazine Psychology Today – yes, the one that you may have seen at your doctor’s office – is a great resource for sourcing many kinds of professional help and they advertise there, too. Sessions take place in Studio 6 at Harmony Centre, a quiet room filled with sunlight and comfortable chairs and a box of art supplies for those who are more comfortable drawing their troubles rather than talking about them.  The room feels inviting and safe.

For Julie and Rob success is recognized as the client who continues to show up, begins to speak up and out and express themselves, and learns to accept and feel comfortable exactly as they are.

And what does the future hold for New River Therapy? They hope to increase the number of group sessions, and in the spring Rob would like to introduce outdoor sessions especially with younger people.

If you or anyone you know are interested in finding out more about Gestalt Therapy and New River Therapy, please contact Julie or Rob at https://www.newrivertherapy.ca.

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Profiles is a series of articles by Harmony Centre board member Lorraine Campbell. Each month Lorraine writes about the people and the community groups that make this remarkable facility what it is today.