Strengths-Based Therapy in London & Burlington, Ontario
When self-doubt takes up a lot of space, it can be hard to notice what helps you cope. Strengths-based therapy explores your abilities, values and supports alongside the difficulties you want help with.
We offer in-person counselling in London and Burlington, online therapy across Ontario, and phone appointments.
Free, obligation-free 10-minute consultation. You do not need to know where to start.
What is strengths-based therapy?
Strengths-based therapy is a collaborative approach that draws on your skills, relationships, values and past coping experiences to address current concerns. Strengths might include asking for help, noticing your needs, creativity or persistence through a difficult period.
It is a broad way of working that can be used within different therapies. It overlaps with positive psychology, but it also considers the practical support and resources around you.
There is room for the difficult parts, too.
You can feel sad, angry, exhausted or unsure. A strengths-based conversation should make room for those experiences, your circumstances and the support you need.
When might a strengths-based approach be useful?
You might be interested in this perspective if you want to understand what is helping you cope and how to build on it. It can be part of a wider therapy plan for concerns such as:
Anxiety and stress
Notice coping strategies and sources of support you can return to when worry or pressure builds. Explore anxiety counselling.
Low mood and self-doubt
Explore manageable activities, meaningful connections and moments that challenge a harsh view of yourself. Read about depression counselling.
Change, grief and burnout
Consider what matters to you, what has helped through previous changes, and where rest or practical support is needed.
Relationships and boundaries
Recognize helpful communication and identify what you would like to practise in your relationships. Learn about couples therapy.
After trauma, strengths-focused work may be one part of care. Safety, current needs and the effects of what happened also deserve attention. Learn about trauma-focused therapy.
How strengths-based therapy can work
The work can include conversations, reflection and small experiments in everyday life. The examples below describe possible ways of using a strengths-based perspective; sessions are shaped around your needs.
01
Notice what is already helping
A therapist might ask about a recent moment that felt a little more manageable. Together, you can explore what you did, who helped and what made a difference.
02
Connect strengths with your goals
A useful goal could be asking for support earlier, making a decision with less self-criticism, or setting a boundary. Your values and circumstances help shape what feels realistic.
03
Try a small step and reflect
You might try one manageable change between sessions, then discuss what helped and what got in the way. A strategy can be adjusted if it feels unhelpful or adds pressure.
What does a strength look like in everyday life?
A hypothetical example: Imagine you are preparing for a difficult conversation at work. You remember a time when writing down your main point and speaking with someone you trust helped you feel more prepared.
A strengths-based discussion could explore your thoughtfulness, willingness to ask for support and ability to plan. One next step might be preparing a short boundary statement and deciding who you can check in with afterwards.
The aim is a step that fits your situation. Having strengths does not mean you should have to manage everything alone.
Meet Hannah and Hailey
You do not need to choose a therapy model before getting in touch. During a free consultation, you can ask how a strengths-based perspective might fit with your concerns and the therapist’s way of working.
Hannah Steyaert
M.A., Registered Psychotherapist | London
Hannah’s primary approach is psychodynamic therapy. Her interests include helping young adults with anxiety, stress and recurring relationship patterns. You can ask Hannah how exploring these patterns could also help you recognize the coping strategies and support you already draw on.
Hailey Steyaert
M.A., Registered Psychotherapist | Burlington
Hailey’s work emphasizes individual counselling, trauma and anxiety. She has specialized training in ACT and trauma-focused therapy, and uses DBT-informed tools. You can ask Hailey how your strengths and support network could be included alongside work on anxiety or the effects of difficult experiences.
Both clinicians offer online and phone appointments. We also provide individual, couples and family counselling.
Individual therapy: $165 CAD for 50 minutes. View current fees and insurance information.
The free 10-minute consultation gives us time for questions before you decide whether to book a paid therapy session.
Choose how to meet
Prefer to meet remotely? Online therapy is available across Ontario, and phone appointments are also offered.
Strengths-based therapy FAQs
We can find a starting point together
You can bring the concerns you have now, even if you are unsure how to describe them. A free, obligation-free 10-minute consultation gives us time to get acquainted, answer questions and discuss whether working together feels like a good fit.
In Jane, choose London or Burlington to view the appointment options. You can decide whether to book a paid session after the consultation.
Have a question before booking?
Use the form below if you would like help choosing a therapist or have a question about the approach. You do not need to include a detailed personal or clinical history. Sending an inquiry does not reserve an appointment.
Still exploring? Compare our therapeutic approaches or read about positive psychology.