Work With Us
We are a select group of mental health practitioners helping our clients to grow, build resilience, live the life they envision, and have fulfilling relationships. We help individuals, couples and families navigate life challenges and also work with more specific psychiatric needs. We offer assessment and treatment services for a diverse population. We offer video and in-person therapy. Contact us here to get started.
Perhaps you need help dealing with the emotional fallout from a particular life event or you have problems dealing with emotions? Experiencing relationship issues or difficulties at work? Struggling with self-confidence, anxiety, depression or a personality pattern? We can help! Maybe you don’t know what you need, but you feel that something has to shift in your life. You’ve come to the right place, here’s what we do:
What we do
Treatment: actively addressing the problems or issues that are bothering you. We treat adults, seniors and youth for individual, couple or family therapy. We treat: Mood disorders (anxiety, depression, Bipolar, Personality disorders, Relationship problems, Anger and emotional struggles, Trauma & PTSD, Self-esteem and and self-confidence, Sexual dysfunction, Substance use/abuse and more..
Assessment: Psychological assessments are done by a Psychologist, we offer psychodiagnosis, personality and workplace assessments.
Our Team
Adults, Couples, Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQ+
(video & in-person therapy)
Frances Fitzgibbon, M.A. Registered Psychotherapist,
Frances provides psychotherapy to individuals and couples in English. She helps clients to overcome diverse problems through compassion, empowerment (building resilience and understanding), and building new skills. In addition to general mental health, she works with clients struggling with life path issues, depression, anxiety, emotional regulation (how you experience emotion), and confusion related to identity. Frances has also built a strong following in the areas of stress management, interpersonal relationship challenges, trauma, and life transitions.
Operating a practice that provides a therapeutic experience; free of shame and judgment, Frances helps clients to achieve emotional, psychological, and relationship well-being. She creates a respectful and safe space for clients of divere cultures, sexual orientations and identities. She is a registered provider of the NIHB program for Indigenous Canadians and works extensively with the LGBTQ+ community.
Working from an integrated therapeutic approach, she tailors her sessions to your unique needs and works from an evidence-based framework. Some of the models she works with are: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic/Attachment-Based, and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MCBT). She is one of the few therapists in Canada certified in Reconsolidation Therapy, a ground-breaking new therapy for the relief of PTSD and trauma symptoms.
Children, Youth & Adult
(video & in-person therapy)
Alycia Hunte, M.A. Registered Psychotherapist
Alycia offers services in English and French and treats children and youth as well as adult individuals. She offers both in-person and virtual therapy.
Alycia’s therapy style is ‘walking beside’ you rather than a hierarchical relationship between therapist and client. You are the expert on you, and she will support you in your therapy journey: exploring emotions, thought processes and life experiences. Creating a non-judgmental space for all her clients, she strives to offer a nurturing environment for personal growth. A space where you can explore yourself and relax into the process of discovery. Alycia understands how taking the first step for help can be daunting and she endeavours to make that journey as welcoming as possible.
Alycia treats general mental health and is interested in helping those who struggle with: anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, inner conflicts, trauma, parenting issues, emotional regulation, and other interpersonal/relationship challenges. She is particularly understanding and effective when working with those who have children and familial responsibilities or conflicts.
With over a decade of work experience in early childhood education, Alycia effectively navigates complex family and interpersonal relationships. She has always been drawn to opportunities to collaborate with families and children, and draws from her formal education and her work experience to help families and individuals.
Adults, Youth & Couples
(in-person & video sessions)
Autumn Legue, M.A. Registered Psychotherapist, (Qualifying)
Autumn provides couples and individual counselling to youth and adults (12+) in English to assist them in their wellness journey. She recognizes it can be difficult to reach out for support and assistance when struggling with mental health and interpersonal challenges. Providing a non-judgmental, compassionate, and collaborative environment, she ensures a safe space for all.
Autumn believes psychotherapy can assist in reaching life goals, build strength to overcome struggles, increase self-awareness and develop more effective coping strategies. Her practice focuses on supporting those struggling with substance use, concurrent disorders, emotional regulation, stress, anxiety, depression, low-self esteem, and interpersonal challenges. She takes an integrated approach to treatment that takes a client-centered approach and trauma-informed care practice. She draws on strength-based therapies such as: cognitive-behavioural therapies (CBT) and solution-focused brief therapies (SFT). At this time Autumn is providing treatment online.
Adults, Couples, Youth
(video only)
Alice Lurie, M.A., Registered Psychotherapist
Alice provides psychotherapy in English. She works with couples and individuals to hone their own strengths to overcome personal struggles, while forming additional skills and self-reliance so they are confident in handling future challenges. Alice provides a safe space to examine your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. She works with anxiety and depression, the aftereffects of distressing and traumatic experiences, and helps clients to improve the quality of their relationships. Her specific interests include anxiety, stress, depression and grief, anger, emotional regulation, and career and workplace difficulties. Alice has complete Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and uses the Gottman Method Couples Therapy in her work. Alice has also completed training in treating Stepfamilies.
Alice provides an evidence-based treatment plan, tailored to your unique experiences and difficulties. Some of the treatments she uses are the Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Cognitive Based Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
Adults, Youth
(In-person & video)
Lianne Saxon, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Lianne (she/her) works with individuals (teens 15+ and adults) and offers a safe and respectful space to foster a therapeutic relationship. She works integratively to help clients grow and build resilience.
She treats general mental health and has a keen focus on helping those struggling with the effects of ADHD, anxiety, phobias, depression and self-esteem issues. She can help navigate through life transitions, heal from trauma and work through grief and loss.
With a warm, supportive and collaborative approach, she provides Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), self-compassion, EFT Tapping, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT), EMDR, and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).
Lianne believes that a safe therapeutic environment leads to her client’s growth, transformation and well-being. She works to introduce new strategies and perspectives to one’s life and help them feel more understood.
Adults, LGBTQ+
(video and in-person)
Dr. Amélie Zonato, Clinical Psychologist, PsyD, C. Psych
Dr. Zonato is a bilingual Clinical Psychologist who treats adult individuals. She provides diagnostic assessments in various areas (mental health disorders, personality, Veterans Affairs, etc.) and also provides treatment with psychotherapy. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her work with patients in a psychiatric capacity, and with serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Dr. Zonato strives to offer a therapeutic environment in which trust and safety take center stage. She understands that her clients have often struggled with very painful histories and difficulties for decades before seeking help, and she honors that courage by listening without judgment to whatever they want to share with her. She aims to create a calm, welcoming, and soothing place for her clients to unburden themselves and gain new tools to make their life more fulfilling. She tailors her approach to her clients’ needs, content both to follow them where they lead her if they seek that sense of freedom, or to step in with guiding questions if they feel comforted by more structure.
Dr. Zonato holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (BA) from McGill University and a doctoral degree (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology from Université du Québec en Outaouais. She is a member in good standing of the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO #6073) and of Ordre des Psychologues du Québec (OPQ #12382-14). She is also a registered provider with Blue Cross and available to offer services to serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces as well as Veterans.
Youth and Adults, LGBTQ+
(video and in-person)
Yolande Deschenes, Counsellor
Yolande provides psychotherapy and counselling to youth and adults in English. She offers both in-person and virtual sessions. She creates a safe and accepting space for all her clients. She is an experienced yoga and meditation instructor who takes an integrative approach to psychotherapy with techniques rooted in Humanistic theory, mindfulness-based cognitive behaviour therapy, DBT and attachment. Her life experience involves having traveled extensively, honing a strong understanding of cultural backgrounds and values.
Working collaboratively with clients to develop and implement strategies for growth and healing, Yolande treats general mental health, stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotional regulation. She brings a mind-body approach to her sessions with a bio-psycho-social lens.
FAQ
Psychotherapy is a talk-based therapy intended to help people improve and maintain their mental health and well-being. Registered Psychotherapists and Social Workers work with individuals, couples and families in individual and group settings.
Psychotherapy occurs when the therapist and client enter into a psychotherapeutic relationship where both work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feeling, behaviour and social functioning. Individuals usually seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours that are adversely affecting their day-to-day lives, relationships and the ability to enjoy life. Psychotherapy treats a wide range of issues and mental disorders.
Psychotherapy is considered a treatment and is regulated in 5 provinces in Canada. Psychotherapy can only be performed by those deemed regulated to do so. Evolve Psychotherapy has Registered Psychotherapists who are registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and Registered Social Workers who are registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
You can book an appointment by registering an account by clicking here. You can also fill out our contact form to be matched with a practitioner.
Some of the areas we work in are: Mood disorders (anxiety, depression, Bipolar Disorder), ADHD, Addiction, Anger Management, Personality Disorders, Behavioural Issues, Career Guidance, Chronic Pain, Codependency, Coping Skills, Domestic Abuse and Violence, Eating Disorders, Emotional Disturbance, Family Conflict, First Nation’s Issues, Grief, Infidelity, Identity, Life Transitions, LGBTQ+, Marital and Premarital, Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD), Parenting, Racial Identity, Relationship Issues, Self Esteem, Self-Harming,Sex Therapy, Sexual Abuse, Sleep or Insomnia, Sports Performance, Suicidal Ideation, Transgender, Trauma and PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Each practitioner charges their own rates in line with their professional college’s guidelines.
Each person’s insurance plan is unique, so you should check with your policy provider to see what you are covered for. Some plans cover psychologists and psychotherapists, others are very specific to whom you can see. Psychological service fees are tax deductible.
No, you do not need a referral to see one of our practitioners. However, some insurance plans require that you do get a referral, it is best to check with your provider regarding your coverage and details around obtaining services.
Yes, all of our practitioners do video and audio sessions as a normal part of their practice. You can enjoy your session in the comfort of your home or away place if you prefer.
It’s normal to be anxious or a little overwhelmed about beginning therapy if you’ve never experienced it before. Just like other experiences in life, the first time can seem scary. A first session with us looks a little something like this: You will be greeted warmly by your practitioner and they will spend time making sure you are comfortable and create a safe and secure therapeutic space conducive to you being able to relax. A first session generally includes some basic questions from your practitioner about you, your life, your experiences and your worldview. We make every effort to begin the process of understanding you and your unique self right off the start. We may ask you to fill out some assessments, as we work from a scientifically-sound approach, this helps us to incorporate solid and real data about you into your treatment. Your relationship with your therapist is important and the most predictive factor in your wellness in psychotherapy. ‘Fit’ is everything, as it allows you to feel heard, understood and comfortable. This is necessary for the work of psychotherapy, and it is a process. There is no ‘one size fits all’ fix to any problem or person. We at Evolve take individuality and tailoring our approaches very seriously, afterall, people are not templates.
Our Location
LOCATION
190 O’Connor Street,
Suite 204,
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 2R3
Evolve Psychotherapy is located in the heart of downtown Ottawa near the intersection of O’Connor and Nepean Sts. We are a few blocks from Parliament Hill and close to the 417 exit (Metcalfe). Nearby is public transit and plenty of parking on O’Connor and surrounding streets.