Matthias Barter
*Virtual appointments only
I experienced anxiety long before I knew it by name. I knew the symptoms intimately – tension in my chest, a looming sense of panic, and fear of social situations – but I could never articulate what it was that caused me to flake out on friends or kept me awake at night. It wasn’t until my mid 20’s that I learned I wasn’t just “awkward,” but that something was holding me back. Having the opportunity to attend therapy myself for the first time was eye-opening, a bit painful, but ultimately led to more emotional freedom than I thought I would ever experience. Gaining knowledge of my needs, skills in identifying when those needs weren’t met, and tools to ground myself when I experience anxiety.
I use a primarily integrative approach in therapy, attempting to match each client with the modality best suited to their present situation. I do a lot of work with Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, working on the premise that our thoughts and behaviours influences how we feel, and that changing how we think and behave can have a positive impact on those feelings. I also draw on elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy. I value collaboration in treatment, inviting clients – the true experts of their own lives – to voice the things that are effective or that need to change in our work together.
I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The King’s University in Edmonton, AB, followed by graduating with my Master of Arts in Counselling and Spirituality from Saint Paul University in Ottawa, ON. I’m currently a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, as well as a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. I’ve worked with clients from ages 8 to 80, and from all manner of backgrounds. I consistently work with Anxiety, Depression, Anger, and Avoidance, as well as Grief, Relationship Difficulties, and Significant Life Changes.