MEET THE TEAM
David Leung, MACP, RP
REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST | OWNER
Research demonstrates again and again that the therapeutic relationship is the most reliable indicator for client success and satisfaction. That’s why I provide a free 30-minute meet-and-greet session to see if there is a good fit.
About my Approach
Look inside. There is a gift for you there
Why do I do that? Wouldn’t it be helpful to know? What are the automatic thoughts, underlying feelings, or unconscious habits that keep life moving in a particular way? Why are some relationship patterns so hard to break? Why do we find ourselves stuck in the same spot over and over again? Could our past be showing up in our present? Why do we sometimes betray our values? Why do we feel anxious and react? Why do we feel depressed and shutdown? Why do we hesitate to even ask questions like these?
I work with clients to cultivate a deeper self-awareness and to chart out new paths for growth and change. This patient process is about getting in touch with underlying discomfort that we would rather fight off (anxiety) or avoid (depression). It can be difficult work but the outcome can be the difference between living or merely surviving.
Not sure if this is for you? Give it a try starting with a free 30-minute consultation. I didn’t realize how helpful it would be for my own growth until I took a chance on my own psychotherapy. I continue to work with my psychotherapist because I find it helpful for personal growth and relationships. Perhaps you will find it helpful too.
Start with a free consultation by filling out the contact form below.
Clients who choose to work with me tend to enjoy creativity and are often creative themselves. They have an affinity for nature and are more spiritual than religious. They long for peace and connection. They want to be as healthy as possible for themselves and for others. Their values are important to them and they aspire to integrity and authenticity. They are not looking for a quick fix but are committed to working through what is difficult and are willing to offer patience to the process of emotional healing. They seek wholeness in relationships with everyone and everything, especially including themselves.
Let me help you to see what is inside. This is sometimes called “inner work”. It is getting to know yourself at a much deeper level. It is seeing what is difficult and sometimes uncomfortable to see. The benefit however, is that increased self-awareness leaves you with new choices and options. And when you are able to connect more deeply and authentically with yourself, this connection also becomes available in your relationship with others. Inner work is about dealing with inner pain (ie. anxiety, depression, guilt, hurt, trauma, grief...), listening carefully to it, and hearing what it needs so that it will let go.
In my work, clients become more acquainted with their inner-self and especially difficult thoughts and emotions which tend to be hidden. Discomfort and emotional pain may be avoided but when left unmanaged will make choices for a person all day and every day. If left unchecked, pain will shape your life. And when pain decides, more pain is the result.
Find out what is behind what has always been difficult to change. Resolve what has been interfering with personal growth. Find resolution to emotional pain. You are a different person without that pain. Free up that person again.
Find your way back to you.
About David
Outside of work, I am…
trying to get one of my boys (they are 16 to 23 years old now) to go dirt biking with me. It is heartbreaking to think that we might be in the twilight of playtime. They are grown up but there’s still time.
wandering outside with our lovely dog Josie. She has taught me that I need to get out for my walks too.
driving around with my wife (we have been married 27 years), looking for good carrot cake, and dreaming about moving out to the country. We might never find what we’re looking for but it has been good for us to dream together.
learning to play something new on the guitar. It’s possible no one will ever hear it, but that’s ok. I’m enjoying it. Maybe it’s just for me.
studying philosophy. I used to know everything. Philosophy has helped me to be so much less sure of this. And this has opened me up to a whole lot more.
trying something new. I enjoy a good challenge. I’ve tried different things over the years. Right now, I am wondering if I can learn to wheelie a dirt bike! I’m not sure if I’ll get there, but with every ride, it gets closer.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Providing psychotherapy for healing and growth to individuals and couples.
Individual Therapy:
$180/HR
Couples Therapy:
$200/HR
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Psychodynamic Approach -about increasing awareness & incorporating past relationships and experience
Emotion Focused Therapy -about discovering emotional undercurrent, shifting emotion through experience of emotion, and regulation of emotion
Use of Psychoanalytic and Existential Insights -about exploring “lack”, “death drive”, finitude, subjectivity (ie. identify), and relationships (with others, nature, and reality)
Spirituality -about understanding our connection and relationship to everyone and everything and finding peace and harmony amidst conflict and trouble
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Undergraduate degrees in Chemistry (B.Sc) and Education (B.Ed)
Post-graduate degrees in Spirituality (M.Div) and Counselling Psychology (MACP)
Various trainings and certifications (Narrative Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy)
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Life is complex. I am on my third career and still feel that I need to find my way. I have been married for 27 years, with four wonderful boys (16-23 years old) and a dog. Each of these relationships challenges and teaches me. Everyday I am learning to be me. My own psychotherapy has been an integral part of a life-long process of figuring out this thing we call life. I am learning to experience life with more peace, understanding, and self-compassion. I look forward to sharing these with you too.
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Favourite Movies: In & Of Itself, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Favourite Music: Folk music: James Taylor, Martin Sexton, Rogue Valley
Favourite Season: Summer
Favourite Burger: Hades Olympus Burger (Port Hope, ON)
Favourite Pizza: Primo (Sault Ste. Marie, ON)
Favourite Podcast: Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
Least Favourite Foods: Squash, Turnip
Favourite Views: Lake Ontario at Bond Head, Ganaraska Forest
Unusual Ability: Riding a Unicycle
First Job: Zellers Cashier
Former Careers: Highschool Teacher, Minister, Direct Support Worker
Hobbies: Playing guitar, journal writing, riding motorcycle
Preferred Love Language: Words of Affirmation
Introvert or Extravert: Introvert
Most Used Phone App: Kijiji