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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).

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.

Kathryn Knight has a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University and is a member of the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists (OACCPP) and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). She works with first Rachel Spekking, BA, BBA, RP (Qualifying) Rachel Spekking 905-635-7770 rachelspekking@gmail .com Rachel Spekking is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Criminology, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. She has over 10 years of experience working in policing in Ontario. Rachel provides client-centered therapeutic interventions to address the unique emotional and psychological challenges faced by clients. She believes effective treatment is dependent upon building a therapeutic relationship that can support clients to gain deeper self-understanding, self-growth, and to develop strong coping strategies through being actively engaged in the therapeutic process. She provides an integrative approach to treatment of adults 19 years of age and older who are experiencing challenging life transitions, critical incident stress/trauma, operational stress, or needing support regarding their emotional/psychological health. Models that she finds helpful include, but are not limited to, Person-Centered Therapy, Narrative Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Rachel is also Eagala certified for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

WSIB WSIB recognizes PTSD as a workplace injury. For more information regarding the WSIB policy, visit their website . If you wish to submit a WSIB claim, we can help you complete the Worker’s Report of Injury/Disease (Form 6) . Dr. Laidlaw can also complete the Form 8 on your behalf.

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.

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. Intrusive Memories Unwanted, repeated, and distressing memories of a traumatic event Repeated, disturbing dreams about the traumatic event Flashbacks; suddenly feeling as if you were re-experiencing the traumatic event. Feeling emotionally or physically distressed when something reminds you of a traumatic event Avoidance Avoiding feelings, thoughts, and memories of a traumatic event Avoiding places, people, activities, situations, and/or objects that remind you of a traumatic event Negative Changes in Thoughts and Moods Difficulty remembering significant parts of a traumatic event Strong negative beliefs about yourself or other people; negative changes to your worldview Blaming yourself or others for the traumatic event and its aftermath Experiencing negative emotions such as guilt, fear, horror, anger, and/or shame Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed Feeling detached from other people, including family, friends, and co-workers Difficulty experiencing positive emotions Arousal - Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions Irritable behaviour, angry outbursts, and/or acting aggressively Risky or self-destructive behaviour such as driving too fast, drinking too much, not wearing safety equipment properly Hypervigilant; always watchful or on guard Easily startled or frightened; feeling jumpy Difficulty concentrating or focusing Difficulty falling and/or staying asleep

PTSD Testing Diagnosis of PTSD is achieved through a series of written inventories, self-assessments, and clinical interviews. If you think you may be suffering from PTSD, you can download a self-assessment and discuss the results with your family doctor. Only a medical doctor or psychologist can provide a diagnosis.

Kathryn Knight has a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University and is a member of the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists (OACCPP) and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). She works with first Katrina Katrina 905-635-7770 Katrina volunteered with Dr. Laidlaw & Associates in the summer of 2025, supporting the teams’ research initiatives. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Sociology at Queen’s University.

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. Under the direction of the facilitator, group members explore and share their stories. 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. Under the direction of the facilitator, group members explore and share their stories, receive encouragement from others, and learn coping strategies. In a safe and supportive environment, group members work together to heal their emotional wounds and meet their therapeutic goals.

Here we have resources which all of our therapists utilize and offer to you. There are apps, videos, books, and mindfulness meditations for your information. Resources Apps Breathe2Relax OSI Connect Be Safe PTSD Coach Canada PTSD Family Coach MindshiftCBT Sanvello Happify iBreathe Videos "Beyond The Call" (short version 00:47) "Beyond The Call"Full-Length PTSD Training Documentary (17:06) First Responder PTSD (05:22) First Responders PTSD (03:20) PTSD: A Healing Story (09:52) What is PTSD? In the words of Canadian and American Veterans and First Responders (13:06) Books A Workbook For Uncertain Times - Dr. Laidlaw & Associates Clinician's Guide to PTSD: A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach – Steven Taylor Full Catastrophe Living – Jon Kabbat-Zinn Mindfulness Skills Workbook for Clinicians & Clients: 111 Tools, Techniques, Activities & Worksheets – Debra E. Burdick Overcoming Trauma and PTSD: A Workbook Integrating Skills from ACT, DBT, and CBT - Sheela Raja Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD – Edna B. Foa, Elizabeth A. Hembree, Barbara Olasov Rothbaum The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma - Bessel van der Kolk The PTSD Workbook: Simple, Effective Techniques for Overcoming Traumatic Stress Symptoms – Mary Beth Williams The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook - Glenn Schiraldi When Someone You Love Suffers from Posttraumatic Stress: What to Expect and What You Can Do - Claudia Zayfert, and Jason C. DeViva Mindfulness & Meditation 60 Minutes interview with Jon Kabbat-Zinn : http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mindfulness-anderson-cooper-60-minutes/ To Pause And Protect http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treatment/overview/mindful-PTSD.asp http://www.uofmhealth.org/news/archive/201604/brain-changes-seen-veterans-ptsd-after-mindfulness-training

Kathryn Knight has a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University and is a member of the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists (OACCPP) and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). She works with first Katie Chown, MACP, BSc, RP Katie Chown 905-635-7770 Katie Chown is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and a professional member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology with a Minor in Religious Studies from McMaster University, and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology Degree from Yorkville University. In addition, Katie is a Certified Trauma Professional (Levels I & II). Katie brings a breadth of experience from her work in academic and healthcare settings as an educator, counsellor, and clinical technician. These roles have informed her deep appreciation for the mind-body connection and the varied pathways through which people achieve healing and personal growth. Her clinical work focuses on adults in individual and couple’s settings. Katie is committed to providing an empathetic, non-judgmental environment that supports open dialogue and genuine connection. She takes a relational, psychodynamic, and holistic approach, integrating modalities such as Attachment-Based Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Polyvagal Therapy, and Internal Family Systems. Her advanced trauma training equips her to support clients through complex life experiences with care and skill. Collaboration is central to Katie’s practice. She partners with clients to enhance self-awareness, address challenges, and foster meaningful, sustainable change offering both clinical expertise and a respectful, supportive presence throughout the therapeutic process.