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Compassion Focused Therapy

Compassion focused therapy (CFT) is a therapeutic approach that supports individuals in developing self-compassion and experiencing compassion for others. If you want to talk with someone, CARESPACE can help.

Call (519) 208-2273 or book online today.

CFT for Kitchener Waterloo

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What is Compassion Focused Therapy?

Compassion focused therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on self-acceptance, self-care, and using compassionate understanding to align with inner feelings and experiences. This type of therapy seeks to understand how past experiences have impacted the client’s personal world, challenging unhelpful beliefs and combatting negative self-talk in order to promote positive change. While compassion focused therapy acknowledges that difficult thoughts and emotions can present themselves, it also encourages exploring why they’re being experienced in the first place.

CARESPACE offers more than just Compassion Focused Therapy

We all know that health and wellness is important, but with so many competing priorities, it’s hard to stay on top of it. CARESPACE Health+Wellness offers more than just psychotherapy in Kitchener-Waterloo. With functional integrative therapies we help promote a healthier life by using an evidence-based, result-oriented, natural approach to rehabilitation and wellness allowing you to get better quickly and stay well longer. Start living your healthier life today!

Applicable conditions include: Anxiety and stress, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, relationship conflicts and more.

Get your very own health team

You can achieve your health goals at CARESPACE with your own personal well-trained and dedicated team of multidisciplinary professionals that includes Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Massage Therapists, Naturopathic Doctors, Kinesiologists, Dietitians, Psychotherapists, Fitness Trainers and more. They will work together to create your personalized comprehensive collaborative health plan to get you fast results.

Your choice of in-clinic or online

It’s your choice if you want to be treated online with TeleCARE or in-person at one of our clinics in Kitchener or Waterloo. With TeleCARE you can attend your appointment from the convenience of your computer, tablet or phone. It’s easy, effective and your first appointment is FREE.

Please call (519) 208-2273 or book online today.

We’re here for you day, evenings and weekends

CARESPACE makes achieving your health goals easy and accessible by offering extended clinic hours with day, evening, and weekend appointments. All are available both online and in-person at our clinics in Kitchener and Waterloo which are open:

  • 8AM–8PM Monday – Friday
  • 8AM–6PM Saturday – Sunday

Your first online appointment is FREE.

Please call (519) 208-2273 or book online today.

Compassion focused therapy (CFT) is a type psychotherapy that focuses on aiding the individual in understanding and accepting their emotions. It helps people to challenge distorted thoughts and learn new skills for managing responses to distress or difficult situations. Through this, clients learn to be attentive to both their internal experiences and those of others, allowing them to have more meaningful relationships with the world around them. CFT has been found to be especially helpful in treating depression, anxiety, trauma and challenging behaviour. It uses an approach that emphasizes self-kindness by connecting with positive emotions such as joy and calmness. By developing compassion for oneself, people are better able to cope with stressors and create meaningful relationships that can help support one’s mental well-being.

Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) has been gaining traction in recent years as an approach to psychological therapy that is designed to provide a safe, supportive space for individuals to develop self-compassion, understanding and healing. This approach focuses on cultivating compassion for oneself and others. It encourages mindful, non-judgmental acceptance of one’s thoughts, emotions, and experiences; accepting vulnerability as a part of life; challenging self-stigma by facing pain and fear with courage; building connections with others through learning empathy; and developing the capacity to heal from emotional wounds. CFT appears to be effective in treating a wide variety of disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders and even addictions. On top of this myriad of benefits for mental health care, CFT has great potential for individuals who are seeking overall emotional stability and wellbeing.

As with any psychotherapy, the outcomes of CFT depend largely on the individual seeking help and their current life circumstances. Some changes may be observed over a relatively short period of time while others may take longer or even be permanent. The shift in focus from self-criticism to self-compassion can help someone view their challenges in a more positive light, potentially reducing their need for long-term therapeutic support. Thus, research suggests that with continued practice and regular maintenance of the approaches learned through CFT interventions, it is possible to expect lasting change.

Compassion focused therapy (CFT) can offer benefit to many people who experience difficulties with emotion regulation, shame, guilt and low self-worth. CFT gives individuals the chance to explore their emotional life from a compassionate and understanding perspective, allowing them to gain insight into the obstacles preventing them from leadiing a happier and more fulfilled life. At its core, CFT assists in building an inner compassion directed towards oneself and others which is known to result in more satisfying personal relationships and an improved sense of inner strength. Patients suffering from depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder have found success with CFT when prescribed under the direction of a qualified mental health professional.

Choose Your Therapist

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Josh Zettel

Certified Counsellor

Victoria North

If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, burnout, career stress, grief, having difficulties with self-regulation, self-esteem, life transitions, and relationships; Josh is here for you.
Hossein Kaji

Hossein Kaji BSc, MA, MA, RP (Qualifying), PhD

Psychotherapist

Weber North

Have you suffered from such things as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, addiction, loneliness, or anger? As a psychotherapist interested in existential themes, Hossein has worked with clients who have experienced these issues.
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Salih Ada, MA, RP (Qualifying)

Psychotherapist

Victoria North

Salih offers a safe and non-judgmental environment where clients can feel relaxed enough to share their vulnerable moments and work through their issues.
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Sarah Jackson, BBA, MACP, RP (Qualifying)

Psychotherapist

Weber North

Sarah is a natural empathetic listener who focuses on the critical components of the therapeutic relationship by providing an unbiased and safe environment to explore your issues.
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Joe White, MA, MACP, RP

Psychotherapist

Weber North

Joe will help you develop and implement strategies to manage your anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, trauma and much more.
Courtney Johnston, BA, OCGC, MACP, RP (Qualifying)

Courtney Johnston, BA, OCGC, MACP, RP (Qualifying)

Student Therapist

Victoria North

Are you experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, grief or loss, stress, burnout, a life transition, sexuality, or relationship issues? If so, Courtney can help.
Cortney Van Allen 1

Cortney Van Allen, BA, MA, RP, CCC

Psychotherapist

Weber North

Cortney offers a safe and welcoming environment to feel heard without judgement and navigate mental health concerns of anxiety, depression, or other life stressors.

You're only 15-minutes away from better mental health!

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Live-answer Reception

Please call us at (519) 208-2273 to talk with our live-answer Reception Team who will be happy to book, reschedule appointments or answer any of your questions, or book online now.

Please call us at (519) 208-2273 or book online today.

  • 8AM–8PM Monday – Friday
  • 8AM–6PM Saturday – Sunday

CARESPACE Health+Wellness – Victoria North

1373 Victoria Street North, Unit 4A
Kitchener, Ontario N2B 3R6 →

CARESPACE Health+Wellness – Weber North

564 Weber Street North, Unit 12  
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 5C6 →

How TeleCARE online works

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Who should use TeleCARE?

It’s your choice. Most CARESPACE services are available both in-person at our clinic or online with TeleCARE (with the exception of acupuncture and massage). TeleCARE is convenient, easy and and highly effective.

We recommend that all new clients have a FREE no-obligation TeleCARE visit before coming to the clinic to discuss your health goals and objectives.

Meet your Practitioners

Get started today

  1. Your first appointment is FREE
  2. Meet your practitioner via Phone/Tablet/Computer
  3. Get your diagnosis and treatment
  4. Book online or call (519) 208-2273

Please call or use our easy online booking system to book your Free first appointment today!

Meet your Practitioners

Google Reviews

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4.9

5/5

172 Google reviews

Fouzia Shafiq
Fouzia Shafiq
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I was suffering from neck pain And numbness Dr. Shannon Webster, BA, DC Chiropractor, is helping me. Acupuncture helps me with pain, enhances my mood. She's fantastic, Dr.
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I cannot recommend Dr. Shannon Webster and Dr. Michael Torreiter enough. Both are super friendly and understanding and it has been an absolute pleasure to have met them and been treated by them.

I have been receiving treatment from Dr. Webster for a few months and I've been feeling much better. I had sever knee, shoulder and back pain. I couldn't squat or do push ups without my joints screaming at me. But now I'm not able to only do all those but also feel stronger. The most important piece is that she listened and took my history of many injuries into consideration. And as a dancer, I couldn't have asked for a better chiropractor who not only helped me feel better but also understood my needs.

I also brought my grandmother to Dr. Torreiter for her back pain for acupuncture. He was extremely kind, understanding, compassionate and everything that I could ask for. He made her feel comfortable and explained every step during each treatment. He made sure that she was well taken care of and also made other important referrals that lead to her recovery.

So far I have referred my whole family to these two wonderful individuals and everyone's experience has been equally great. Thanks to them we all are doing much better!
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