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Resiliency Resilience is the ability to cope with ongoing disruptive change and maintain good health and energy even when under constant pressure. It involves the capacity to bounce back easily from setbacks, overcome adversities, and adapt to a new way of working and living when an old way is no longer possible. Resilience goes beyond simply enduring difficult circumstances. It also involves the ability to navigate challenges without resorting to harmful behaviors. Building coping strategies through therapy can help build resilience, giving you the strength and strategies to face your job as a first responder as well as manage mental disorders such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Although there is not a guarantee of improvement for every situation, your therapist uses models and techniques that have been researched and proven to be beneficial for most people. Short-term therapy is generally focused on change or stabilization in one or two areas that you define as your goal(s Our Services Although there is not a guarantee of improvement for every situation, your therapist uses models and techniques that have been researched and proven to be beneficial for most people. Short-term therapy is generally focused on change or stabilization in one or two areas that you define as your goal(s). Longer-term therapy is for people who usually have long-standing or more complicated or severe problems, often stemming from trauma or long-standing difficulties, and who want more extensive therapy to reach their goals of improved mental health. Occasionally, therapy can elicit difficult or distressing emotions. At all times, you have the right not to discuss a topic, or to terminate the session or therapy. Individual Therapy Individual therapy is a process where clients work one-on-one with a therapist to meet their therapeutic goals. READ MORE Psychological Assessment Dr. Laidlaw provides consultation services and specialized psychological assessments for specialty teams/work assignments, internal promotions, pre- and post-deployment needs/services, and for WSIB claims/issues. READ MORE Group Therapy Group therapy is a process where a small group of people (generally six to ten individuals) meets on a regular basis with a therapist/facilitator to discuss an issue common to all participants. READ MORE Pre-Employment Assessment Pre-employment personnel selection instruments are used to screen applicants and include the assessment of a wide range of skills and abilities. READ MORE Neck-Up Check-Up The Neck-Up Check-Up program is designed to provide clients from the corrections/first-responder/military community with an opportunity to maintain an awareness of their psychological well-being. READ MORE Debriefing for Emergency Services We provide defusing/debriefings to various organizations following critical incidents. We are generally available on short notice and have various resources/referrals at our disposal in order to provide follow-up assistance/guidance. READ MORE

Individual therapy (sometimes called “psychotherapy” or “counselling”) is a process where clients work one-on-one with a therapist to meet their therapeutic goals. We are here to create a safe, supportive, and confidential space in which you can explore your emotions and behaviours. Individual Therapy Individual therapy (sometimes called “psychotherapy” or “counseling”) is a process where clients work one-on-one with a therapist to meet their therapeutic goals. We are here to create a safe, supportive, and confidential space in which you can explor e your emotions and behaviors. As well as, work through life challenges you may face, and help you better understand yourself. A therapeutic relationship may last for just a few sessions or as long as several years, depending on your needs and personal goals.

Trauma Counselling We offer Individual and Group Counselling... Trauma can be defined as a psychological, emotional, and physiological response to an event or an experience that is deeply distressing or disturbing. Loosely applying this definition, trauma can refer to an upsetting life event such as divorce, being diagnosed with an illness, or losing a loved one. It also encompasses more extreme events such as sexual assault, living through a natural disaster, or surviving a hostage situation. Complex trauma may occur when a person is repeatedly exposed to a series of events which cumulate over a period of time. Examples of complex trauma include child and domestic abuse, military deployments in unsafe locales, and first responders facing disturbing and dangerous situations on a daily basis. Trauma counselling can consist of individual and/or group counselling and uses a variety of therapies including cognitive behavioural therapy, cognitive processing therapy, exposure therapy, and EMDR. See More for our Individual Counselling and Group Therapy.

eer support teams are an important contributor to recovery. Peer support is a supportive relationship between people who have a lived-experience in common. We can provide emotional and social support to others who share a common experience. Peer Support Teams Peer support teams are important contributors to recovery. Peer support is a supportive relationship between people who have a lived experience in common. We can provide emotional and social support to others who share a common experience. Our services include but are not limited to the following: Candidate assessment and screening with recommendations Team training and development Ongoing consultation

CPT Therapy - Cognitive Processing Therapy I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font. Feel free to drag and drop me anywhere you like on your page. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you. This is a great space to write long text about your company and your services. You can use this space to go into a little more detail about your company. Talk about your team and what services you provide. Tell your visitors the story of how you came up with the idea for your business and what makes you different from your competitors. Make your company stand out and show your visitors who you are.

Susan joined Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in January 2018 as Administrative Assistant and Receptionist. Susan’s first career was as a High School Physical Education Teacher in Scotland after obtaining a Diploma of Education (Dip.Ed). Following a motor vehicle accident Susan had to explore alternate care Olivia Olivia 905-635-7770 Olivia joined Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in May of 2025 as a Research Student. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Criminology from Western University and is in the process of continuing her education through graduate studies in counselling psychology. In her role, Olivia supports the practice by conducting literature reviews, analyzing current research, and developing training material for peer support initiatives with first responders. She contributes to the team’s work by translating research into practical resources that enhance mental health awareness and resilience.

First Responders What Is PTSD? Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event. A traumatic event is something horrible and scary that you see or that happens to you. During this type of event, you think that your life or others’ lives are in danger. You may feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening. Signs of PTSD PTSD symptoms are grouped into four clusters. You may not exhibit all the symptoms, but you do need to have some symptoms in all categories to be diagnosed with PTSD. READ MORE PTSD Testing & Treatment Dr. Laidlaw offers personality, intellectual, developmental and vocational assessments. READ MORE PTSD for First Responders Because our therapists have experience working with first responders, we understand how your needs differ from the general population. READ MORE WSIB WSIB recognizes PTSD as a workplace injury. For more information regarding the WSIB policy, visit their website . READ MORE Perceived Injustice The term “perceived injustice” was coined by a researcher who demonstrated that when a person feels they have been treated poorly, it can prolong the symptoms of PTSD, and make it harder it to return to work. READ MORE Resiliency READ MORE Resilience is the ability to cope with ongoing disruptive change and maintain good health and energy even when under constant pressure. It involves the capacity to bounce back easily from setbacks... Defining First Responders First responders are trained professionals who are the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency or crisis. They include... READ MORE

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy The best care I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font. Feel free to drag and drop me anywhere you like on your page. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you. This is a great space to write long text about your company and your services. You can use this space to go into a little more detail about your company. Talk about your team and what services you provide. Tell your visitors the story of how you came up with the idea for your business and what makes you different from your competitors. Make your company stand out and show your visitors who you are.

CBT Therapy - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font. Feel free to drag and drop me anywhere you like on your page. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you. This is a great space to write long text about your company and your services. You can use this space to go into a little more detail about your company. Talk about your team and what services you provide. Tell your visitors the story of how you came up with the idea for your business and what makes you different from your competitors. Make your company stand out and show your visitors who you are.

Therapies We Offer CBT Therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. Let your users get to know you. > Read More CPT Therapy (Cognitive Processing Therapy) I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. Let your users get to know you. > Read More Exposure Therapy I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. Let your users get to know you. > Read More EMDR Therapy I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. Let your users get to know you. > Read More Psychotherapy I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. Let your users get to know you. > Read More Solution Focused Therapy I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. Let your users get to know you. > Read More Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. Let your users get to know you. > Read More

Susan joined Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in January 2018 as Administrative Assistant and Receptionist. Susan’s first career was as a High School Physical Education Teacher in Scotland after obtaining a Diploma of Education (Dip.Ed). Following a motor vehicle accident Susan had to explore alternate care Julia McAdam, BSc, BHSc(OT) Julia McAdam, BSc, BHSc(OT) 905-635-7770 Julia McAdam is a Registered Occupational Therapist, Psychotherapist with over 25 years of clinical experience supporting individuals through recovery, growth, and resilience building. Her experience includes supporting first responders, as well as individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma and chronic pain. Julia’s clinical practice is grounded in trauma-informed care, with a focus on addressing post-traumatic stress, moral injury, and workplace-related psychological injuries. Julia draws upon evidence-based therapeutic models, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and exposure-based approaches, adapting these frameworks to meet the needs of each client. She provides a safe and collaborative space where individuals can explore their experiences, process difficult emotions, and build meaningful strategies for moving forward.