About Me
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Anna Smit, MDiv, RP
I love helping people connect the dots in their lives – “why do I do what I do…and what can I do to change that?” Those “a-ha!” moments can be fun! It’s also a pleasure to watch someone who feels beaten up emotionally come to feel good about themselves and start having better relationships with others. And nothing is more of an honour than to walk with someone as they work through past trauma and find healing and hope.
I am really good at connecting with people so that people feel accepted, heard and understood. I fully believe that the most important thing in therapy is the connection you have with your therapist – and if it isn’t a good fit, you won’t get as much out of the process as you could. So, while I hope that you and I will be a good fit, if it isn’t me, then I will do what I can to help you find the right counsellor for you.
I try to match my therapy approach to each person I see and have even been known to move the therapy room outside when it’s nice! Some of my areas of interest include attachment, trauma, emotion regulation, change, conflict/communication management, parts work or inner child work, self-esteem and identity. I have been in private practice in Peterborough since 2014 seeing individuals and couples from all walks of life, dealing with a wide spectrum of issues. Up until August 2021, I also worked for a local community agency and still maintain strong ties to that organization.
An almost-empty-nester, I remarried in June 2022 – so I understand major life transitions! For the first year, my husband and I divided our time between our homes in Peterborough and St. Catharines, and at the end of June 2023, we were able to settle in Peterborough full time. Between us we have 4 young adult children. While my daughter is attending school on the east coast, we get to pet-sit her very large lap dog – a cane corso/mastiff cross who loves to cuddle!! We also have two playful young cats - because our lives were not full enough! While they live on the premises, the animals do not attend sessions…although the dog has been known to make a special appearance upon request!
Now for the boring stuff….
Training and Approach to Therapy
I hold a Master of Divinity, Clinical Counselling degree from Tyndale University, College and Seminary in Toronto. My primary training has been in the area of marriage and family therapy, with the focus on both the theological and psychological understandings of the human person in their relationships. The unique combination of psychology and theology in my background allows me to be able to help people integrate their spirituality and faith in the counselling process, should it be desired. Additionally, I have also studied areas such as sexuality, cross-cultural considerations, addictions, violence in relationships, and trauma. Continuing education and professional development is vitally important and I regularly attend to my ongoing development through a variety of means. I am involved in regular peer consultations as well in order to ensure I am giving my clients the best care possible. Some of my areas of interest include attachment, trauma, emotion regulation, change, conflict/communication management, parts work or inner child work, self-esteem and identity.
I use a variety of techniques and try to match my approach to each person and the concerns they are bringing. Within a client-centred, trauma-informed framework, commonly used theory and methods include Family Systems Theory, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psycho-dynamic/talk therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Relational Life Therapy, Dr. John Gottman's method, and parts or inner child work. I integrate relaxation techniques such as mindfulness when applicable and am comfortable exploring issues of faith and spirituality and how this relates to our everyday lives if this is helpful. If a referral to another helping professional is necessary, I am more than happy to assist you in making that transition.
Professional Registration and Accountability
Accountability is very important to me to ensure my clients receive the best care possible. I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and adhere to the professional practice standards and code of ethics the CRPO sets out. Please see www.crpo.ca for further information.
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Services Offered
Nik Shuliahin 
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Good to Know
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"Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
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