About Ian

Ian Raeburn-Gibson, Registered Psychotherapist

Ian’s Journey to Counselling

Clients often ask me:

“Did you always want to be a therapist?

Truthfully, as a younger adult I had NO idea what I wanted to do. What I did know was that I was going to work with people in some way, and I trusted my ability to connect and resonate with others. I recognized that I could quickly put people at ease, even strangers, and I began to notice people opening up to me. As I reflect on my career and life now, I’m struck by how all things came together to guide me into my career as a mental health counsellor.

Passion for Helping Others

I genuinely value people and the diverse experiences they bring. In every stage of my career I have worked with people helping them in some way or another. My career began in my early twenties working in the talent acquisition space. During that time, I worked with hundreds of job seekers to guide them in their life goals and career transitions. Fast forward to now, and not much has changed. People seek out therapy for a multitude of reasons, but at the core I’m still in the business of helping people. I couldn’t imagine a better calling.
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Therapeutic Foundation

As a Psychotherapist, I work from a strengths-based lens where I empower my clients to access the power within themselves to change. At the same time, I acknowledge that there is real pain and suffering in the world, and I see it as my mission to walk with my clients through that. It is my belief that the relationship between therapist and client is the largest indicator of success in therapy. I am all about relationships. I want you to feel like you know me, and I want you to WANT to come to therapy. When you can feel safe, valued, and heard, healing can begin and Hope shines.

I am trained as a trauma-informed therapist, and I approach therapy from a Somatic perspective. When we say Somatic, what we’re really saying is that trauma lives just as much in our body as it does in our mind. When working with trauma, anxiety, PTSD, depression etc. we need to understand this important mind-body connection.

Clients describe my style of therapy as gentle, compassionate, thoughtful, and modern. I am committed to cultivating a safe and inclusive atmosphere at my practice. No matter who you are, or what your background, you will feel valued and respected. I often bring an element of Spirituality into sessions, recognizing that this looks different for everyone. What’s most important is that we’re able to explore what you believe about the nature of existence, and what gives you purpose and meaning in life.

I have additional experience in counselling youth and teens through the Collingwood Youth Centre, and enjoy working with young adults. But, I work with clients of ALL ages, and from all walks of life, and with anyone who desires to live a bigger, more fulfilling life.

Overview

Ian’s Psychotherapy Approach

Holistic Approach

My overall approach to therapy is holistic. Simply put, being holistic is the belief that each person is unique, and no one technique or therapeutic modality will work the same for everyone. Holistic therapy is the understanding that many factors in our lives contribute to our mental health, and as such, we must be open to exploring different paths in therapy.

Client-Centred Counselling

I approach every client like a distinct puzzle, and part of my job is to help you put the pieces together. Think of a counsellor as a navigator; you’re in the driver’s seat, and I’m here to guide and accompany you. Occasionally, we may miss an exit, and that’s okay because I’ll be there to gently remind you to turn around and slow down. In our fast-paced lives, we often lose sight of our direction and where we’re headed.

Creating a Safe Environment

When it comes to therapy itself, I strive to create a warm and safe environment for you. I adopt an informal approach, and I want you to feel good about coming to therapy. Therapy often involves discussing challenging topics, but I want to make it as comfortable as possible. I am grounded in a person-centred approach, and I lead with empathy and kindness.

Techniques and Modalities

Depending on your needs and goals, I utilise a range of evidence-based techniques and counselling modalities including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Psychoanalytical to name a few.

Collaborative Therapy

Therapy is always a collaborative effort, requiring your active participation. After all, this is your life and your well-being. Ultimately, research shows that therapy is most effective when the counsellor and client have a healthy and safe relationship, with open communication. I invest a significant amount of time cultivating that relationship with you.

Commitment to Growth

Taking the step to seek help is a courageous act, and I commend you for embarking on this path. You’re demonstrating that you are committed to feeling better, growing, and being the best version of you possible. I hope our work together can push you further down that path.

Credentials & Associations

(Licensing, Degrees, Additional Training and Professional Associations)
Registered Psychotherapist
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
MA Hons in Counselling Psychology, Yorkville University, 2023
BA Hons in English Literature, University of Guelph, 2012
Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist - Individual, Arizona Trauma Institute, 2023
Member in Good Standing with Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists (OSRP)
crpo
york-u
uniguelph
trauma-institute-cert
CCTS-I+August+2024
osrp
ABOUT IAN

Personal Interests

As a side note, I spent time as a young adult working as a singer-songwriter, and I always enjoy connecting with clients on music, poetry, and literature. A favourite lyric of mine, courtesy of Canadian artist Bruce Cockburn: “Got to kick at the darkness ’til it bleeds daylight”. I just love this line. In a way, it perfectly encapsulates how I see both my work, and my clients. As a therapist, I endeavour to be a small light in the world, and my clients work hard every day to ‘kick’ at their own darkness. In therapy, I often connect themes back to songs, poetry, symbolism, archetypes, and more. They help explain our shared human connection, and art really brings people together.

While that’s just a little about me, it’s important that you know who I am on a personal level. Because the relationship in therapy is so key to success, I want you to understand who I am, where I come from, and how I might be able to help you.

“
My goal is to create a warm, comfortable, and safe space for all. I approach every client with empathy, kindness, and curiosity, walking alongside them through life’s challenges
IAN RAEBURN-GIBSON​

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