Hi there, and welcome!
My name is Andi (they/them), and I am a Registered Psychotherapist in Barrie, Ontario. Welcome to Roots of Resilience!
I am a creative soul and love writing, art, music, and nature – in fact, poems are one of my favourite ways of processing my emotions. In my spare time you can find me hiking in nature, spending time with good friends, or cuddled up with some tea, my cat Nala (pictured above), and reading a book. Yoga and meditation are my preferred means of grounding and coming back to myself, and I value authenticity both in myself and my loved ones.
I am a highly sensitive person, also known as an empath, and I work at ensuring that both my therapy practice and personal life are spaces that celebrate kindness, openness, empathy, and vulnerability.
I came to therapy first as a client, and there I discovered the transformation that happens when individuals have a safe space to truly become themselves. Through my own personal healing journey, my passion grew and I knew I wanted to spend my career supporting others to find balance, self-compassion, and the courage to be their own best selves. I have done my own deep work (and continue to do so) so that I can fully support clients in doing theirs.
Over the years I have received my Bachelor of Arts from the University of Guelph, my child/youth worker diploma from Georgian College, and my Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University. I have also received training in body-mind-spirit wellness, trauma-informed therapy, trauma-informed art therapy, and trauma-informed cognitive behavioural therapy.
Social justice and equity are an important part of my value system, and I work part-time as a consultant supporting businesses in understanding power/privilege and creating spaces that are welcoming and supportive for all individuals.
Through my work as a therapist, I have learned to recognize the roots of resilience that are in all of us. We all come into the world as whole, complex, wonderful humans. Somewhere along the way, through experiences, stress/trauma, relationships, and pain, we often lose that connection to the part of us that is whole, resilient and beautiful still.
Part of my work is to support clients in rediscovering that side of themselves. I believe that there is wisdom inside all of us – the answers are there. However, sometimes we just need some help to uncover our truth from beneath all the negative messages we’ve picked up along the way.
I come from an empowering and client-centred focus, meaning that I support you in deciding what you want and what you feel is best for you. I provide a supportive environment in which to do just that and we work together while you develop the skills in listening to your body, understanding your own values and needs, and making the changes you wish in your life to reflect your own authentic self.
The human body is a fascinating and too often underused resource in our own healing and wisdom. As I have learned to trust and listen to my body and nervous system, I have taken training courses to support clients in learning to access this wisdom as well. The work I do with clients goes past simply reducing symptoms for you in the present moment – we work at identifying the wounds leading to these symptoms, healing them from the inside out, and designing and living the life you truly want to be living. It is deep and meaningful work.
Being you in your truest sense of the word and feeling valued for being that person is your birthright. I can support you through this process and help you build the skills and awareness needed along the way.
If anything on my site has resonated with you, I invite you to contact me to set up a free phone consultation, to see if I’m the right therapist for you.
I look forward to connecting with you soon!
Andi Conley
Andi (Miranda) Conley (they/them), Registration #007603
