Irina Pavlova Psychotherapy
Couple, Individual & Family Therapy
I’m a psychotherapist and I work with individuals, couples and families.
I support clients by helping them understand, deconstruct and find solutions to the issues they may be struggling with.
In individual therapy we may work on relationship issues; difficulties associated with life cycle changes; stress; anxiety; depression; loss and grief; and issues related to general well-being.
In couple therapy depending on the goals of the couple we may address difficulties in communication; intimacy; parenting; affairs; build resilience and enjoyment that each partner derives from the relationship; work through ambivalence of staying or leaving the relationship. If the couple decide to separate we work through that process in a mindful and compassionate way.
Family therapy is useful in dealing with relationship problems within the family and may help reduce various individual symptoms. A well-functioning family is not a family that does not experience any stress or conflict but is a family that has enough resources to effectively be able to handle and resolve these issues.
Thich Nhat Hanh
“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.”
About me
Services offered in English, French, Russian, Spanish
I am an accredited and active member of the Social Work Order of Quebec and the Order of Psychologists of Quebec. I work in private practice and see clients in person and virtually.
I hold a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry, Bachelor, Master degrees in Social Work and in Couple and Family Therapy, all from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec.
I am comfortable working with a wide variety of communities and cultures.
The way I work
All of my interventions are personalized, collaborative, strength based, culturally sensitive and tailored to clients’ specific needs. I work by sharing my impressions with the clients through dialogue facilitating a positive exchange.
In sessions we examine behaviour, thought patterns and feelings and often revisit past experiences in order to understand the present.
My practice is guided by an integrative approach, which is informed by attachment theory, family systems, emotionally focused, solution focused, narrative therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and IFS (Internal Family Systems).
"More than offering her ear, or ideas, or counsel, Irina offered me a new framework for viewing and addressing my challenges in life and work. Right away with her I felt able to drop the story I was carrying around about myself – what a relief. Irina has a truly magical way of showing empathy and sincere solace and also gently challenging assumptions. When I'd say: Well, it's like this. She'd ask me: Why? So often my answer was: I don't know, or, because it always was, and then we'd get to a place where I could say: I guess it could be different. I often left our sessions feeling that there were pathways and possibilities I hadn't considered. (And she was right, there are.) Her gentleness and demeanour helped me receive the world with a more generous and empathetic spirit. In doing so, I've become better at giving myself the same grace, too."
S.
Some literature that you may find helpful
At Your Disposal
"The Gifts of Imperfection", Brené Brown
"Attached", Dr. Amir Levine and Rachel S.F. Heller, M.A.
"The Power of Now", a guide to spiritual enlightenment, Eckhart Tolle
" A new earth", Awakening to Your Life's purpose, Eckhart Tolle
"The Language of Emotions", What your feelings are trying to tell you, Karla McLaren
"Boundaries, Where you end and I begin", Anne Katherine, M.A.
"Mating in Captivity", Esther Perel
"The Body keeps the score", Brain, Mind, and Body in the healing of Trauma, Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
"The jealousy", Workbook, exercises and insights for managing open relationships, Kathy Labriola
The Self-Esteem Workbook: 2nd Edition, Glenn R. Schiraldi PhD
"After the Affair, Third Edition: Healing the Pain and Rebuilding Trust When a Partner Has Been Unfaithful", by Janis A. Spring
"Healing from Infidelity: The Divorce Busting Guide to Rebuilding Your Marriage After an Affair", Michele Weiner-Davis
"The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert", John Gottman PhD and Nan Silver
"Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love",
by Dr. Sue Johnson EdD
"Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy", by Steven C. Hayes PhD and Spencer Smith
"The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive"
by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer
"Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself",
by Kristin Neff, Xe Sands, et al.
"No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind",
by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
"The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind"
by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Articles
COVID related
Brain fog: how trauma, uncertainty and isolation have affected our minds and memory
COVID related
There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing
...
...
...
Couple Communication
This Is the Best Way To Fight With Your Partner, According to Psychologists
https://time.com/5402188/how-to-fight-healthy-partner/