Gestalt Therapy
in Oakville,
Ontario
Qualified Gestalt therapists in Oakville, ON — present-centred, relational, body-aware psychotherapy. In-person at 345 Lakeshore Rd. E and online across Halton Region and the GTA.
Gestalt therapists in Oakville
Present-centred · relational · body-aware
Olga is a Gestalt-trained therapist with a somatic and relational focus, seeing clients in-person at her Oakville practice and online across Ontario. Trained at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto with additional certification in Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy, she works with anxiety, trauma, depression, and relationship difficulties — helping clients understand emotional patterns and reconnect with their authentic sense of self.
Oksana works with adults through a developmental and relational lens — understanding how early experiences shape patterns that drive anxiety, self-criticism, and difficulty in relationships. Her present-focused psychotherapy supports clients in identifying their true needs, building self-compassion, and living more authentically. She holds an MA in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.
Other therapy approaches in Oakville
CBT, DBT, trauma-informed, integrative & person-centred
Alisa practises in-person in Burlington and online across Ontario. Her integrative, client-centred approach draws from CBT, DBT, EFT, and trauma-informed therapy within a warm, relational style. She works with anxiety, complex trauma, depression, perfectionism, and the stress of multicultural and immigrant experiences — creating a respectful space where clients can explore identity, relationships, and life transitions while reconnecting with their strengths.
Justine offers counselling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families, and children. Her integrative approach combines CBT, DBT, Attachment-Based Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. She has particular experience in crisis intervention, trauma, and Indigenous mental health — working with clients from diverse backgrounds within a safe, non-judgmental environment.
Gina offers psychotherapy and counselling online across Ontario, with a person-centred and holistic approach drawing from CBT, ACT, DBT, Existential Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Therapy. Her work is particularly suited to anxiety, burnout, worrying and rumination, codependency, and self-esteem difficulties. She holds an MA in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.
Lydia specialises in therapy for children, adolescents, and families. Her holistic and integrative approach combines CBT, Trauma-Informed Therapy, EFT, Attachment Theory, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Her background as a Registered Early Childhood Educator and Child Development Specialist gives her particular depth in anxiety, neurodivergence, developmental challenges, and parental mental health.
Donna brings over 18 years of experience in mental health and addiction services. Her trauma-informed approach draws from CBT, DBT, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Person-Centred Therapy. She works with adults, adolescents, and families navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, and major life transitions — providing a compassionate and structured therapeutic space.
Gestalt therapy in Oakville
Gestalt therapy is a relational, present-centred approach to psychotherapy — attending to what is happening in the body, in the therapeutic relationship, and in the immediate field of experience, rather than working primarily through retrospective analysis or structured protocols. For Oakville residents, in-person Gestalt therapy is available at 345 Lakeshore Rd. E, with online sessions accessible across Halton Region and the GTA.
Gestalt therapy is particularly well suited to people navigating anxiety, relational difficulty, trauma, identity questions, and life transitions — especially those who want to understand their patterns rather than simply manage symptoms. The approach is exploratory and collaborative, shaped by what arises in the room rather than a fixed curriculum.
All practitioners hold current registration with a recognised Ontario professional body — CRPO, OCSWSSW, or equivalent. The page also lists other therapeutic approaches available online for Oakville residents seeking CBT, trauma-informed, or integrative work.
What to expect from Gestalt therapy
A Gestalt-informed therapist attends closely to what is present in the session — thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, relational patterns — rather than working from a fixed agenda. Sessions are exploratory and present-focused, often involving close attention to how anxiety, avoidance, or relational patterns show up in the therapeutic relationship itself.
Gestalt therapy does not typically involve homework or structured exercises. Progress is measured through increasing self-awareness, greater capacity for authentic contact with others, and a more grounded sense of self. Many people find it more personally meaningful than protocol-driven approaches, particularly when they have tried CBT and found it addressed symptoms without the underlying experience.
For a fuller overview of the approach see What is Gestalt therapy? and the article on embodied awareness. If you are weighing Gestalt against CBT, the comparison article may help clarify the distinction.
Comparing therapy approaches
Different therapeutic modalities suit different people and presentations. This table provides a practical comparison of the main approaches offered by therapists in this directory to help you identify the best fit before booking.
| Approach | Gestalt Therapy | CBT | DBT | Trauma-Informed | Integrative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Present moment, body, relationship | Thoughts & behaviour patterns | Emotional regulation & distress tolerance | Safety, stabilisation, past impact | Tailored to the individual |
| Structure | Exploratory, client-led | Structured, protocol-driven | Highly structured, skill-based | Flexible, phase-based | Varies by therapist |
| Best for | Self-awareness, relational issues, trauma, identity | Anxiety, depression, phobias | Emotional dysregulation, BPD, self-harm | PTSD, complex trauma, dissociation | Mixed or unclear presentations |
| Body-aware | Yes — central | Minimal | Minimal | Often included | Depends on therapist |
| Evidence base | Growing — strong for relational outcomes | Very strong — most researched | Strong for BPD & emotion regulation | Strong — widely adopted | Varies by combination |
| Homework / exercises | Rarely | Yes — integral to approach | Yes — skills worksheets | Sometimes | Depends on therapist |
| Children & families | Yes, with training | Yes — adapted for youth | Yes — adolescents especially | Yes | Yes |
| Typical session length | 50 min | 50 min | 50–60 min + group option | 50–90 min | 50 min |
Gestalt therapy across Halton Region
In-person Gestalt therapy is available in Oakville. Online sessions are available province-wide. The pages below cover nearby cities and the broader Ontario directory.
Common questions
Where is Gestalt therapy available in-person in Oakville?
Olga Klimenkova sees clients in-person at 345 Lakeshore Rd. E, Oakville, ON L6J. Alisa Ziad Al Haj practises in-person nearby at 3425 Harvester Rd, Unit 213, Burlington, ON L7N 3N1 — a short drive along the QEW. All other practitioners listed here offer online sessions only.
Is Gestalt therapy effective for anxiety and trauma?
Gestalt therapy has a growing evidence base for anxiety, relational difficulties, and trauma — particularly developmental and complex trauma. It tends to suit people who want to understand the roots of their difficulties rather than manage symptoms from the outside. For structured symptom-reduction, CBT remains more extensively researched; many Gestalt-informed therapists are integrative and draw from both.
How is Gestalt different from CBT?
CBT works primarily with patterns of thought and behaviour through structured techniques and homework. Gestalt is less structured, attending to what is present in the body and in the therapeutic relationship as it unfolds. Both are evidence-supported. Many people find Gestalt more personally meaningful while CBT provides more concrete tools — integrative therapists can draw from both depending on what a client needs.
Is Gestalt therapy covered by insurance in Ontario?
Coverage depends on your plan and the therapist's registration. Services by Registered Psychologists (CPO) are most widely covered. Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) and Registered Social Workers (OCSWSSW) are covered by a growing number of extended health plans. Always confirm with your provider before booking.
Which therapist is best for children and families?
Lydia Kellar specialises in therapy for children, adolescents, and families, with backgrounds in Early Childhood Education and Child Development. Justine Maurice also works with children, youth, couples, and families, including crisis intervention. Both offer online sessions accessible to Oakville residents.
What does Gestalt therapy cost in Oakville?
Session fees on this page range from $110 to $190. Olga Klimenkova charges $160–$190 per session for in-person and online Gestalt therapy in Oakville. Online-only practitioners are available from $110. A free initial consultation is available with all therapists listed before committing to sessions.
Understanding Gestalt therapy before you begin
If you are new to Gestalt therapy or evaluating it against other approaches, GestaltReview's editorial library provides substantive context on what Gestalt-informed work actually involves — the concepts practitioners use, the theory behind the approach, and how it compares to CBT and mindfulness-based work.
Understanding what a therapist means by present-moment awareness, somatic contact, or the therapeutic relationship may help you decide whether Gestalt therapy suits what you are looking for before booking a consultation.