Portage Therapy Group™

Therapy In Ottawa

We help you carry the load, build meaningful connections, and find your path to lasting happiness with therapy for adults in Ottawa. Online therapy across Ontario.

Find A Path To Feeling Better

We help you improve your emotional well-being & guide you toward lasting positive change.

Gain Greater Control

We empower you to take charge of your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours, bringing you balance & peace.

Build Stronger Relationships

We help you create healthier, deeper, & more meaningful connections with yourself & others.

How did I get so stuck?

You may feel lost in a cycle of frustration and self-doubt, wondering where things went off course. The weight of this question can leave you feeling hopeless, anxious, and overwhelmed—like you’re trapped in a situation with no clear way out.

At Portage Therapy Group™, we offer comprehensive therapy services in Ottawa to help you make sense of what's happened, break free from that feeling of being stuck, and find a path forward.

Do you have thoughts like...

At Portage Therapy Group™, we provide supportive spaces to make sense of your experiences, break free from limiting patterns, and discover paths toward healing and growth.

Psychotherapy in ottawa

Why Choose Therapy In Ottawa?

Life has a way of throwing challenges our way, sometimes leaving us feeling lost, stuck, or overwhelmed. When those feelings linger, it can be hard to know where to turn. Therapy in Ottawa offers a safe space to explore, heal, and grow.

At Portage Therapy Group™, we believe in the power of human connection, because you deserve a space that’s all about you. It’s about discovering the root causes of what’s holding you back and learning how to break free from those patterns. Whether you’re navigating a difficult transition, facing past trauma, or just looking to better understand yourself, therapy helps you get clear on your goals, your values, and your path forward. We’re deeply committed to creating a genuine, human-centred experience for everyone from diverse populations, including LGBTQIA2S+, Indigenous individuals, students, and retirees.

We’re not “white coat clinicians” behind a clipboard—we’re approachable, experienced professionals ready to help you make sense of your story.

Father and son enjoying a carefree autumn day in nature.

Therapy Can Help If You’re Struggling With:

therapy in ottawa

Approaches We Use In Therapy

At Portage Therapy Group™, we go beyond the clinical model to offer a human-centred experience. While our therapists in Ottawa are highly trained, we don’t rely solely on textbooks and techniques. Instead, we actively listen, build trust, and ensure that your voice guides the process. We embrace the balance between serious work and the lightness of laughter, knowing that healing comes from both effort and joy. We blend compassion with evidence-based methods, ensuring therapy is effective, impactful, and aligned with your personal journey.

IFS helps you explore the different “parts” of yourself in therapy sessions in Ottawa, bringing understanding and harmony to inner conflicts. By identifying and healing wounded parts, we guide you toward a balanced, more integrated sense of self.

EFT focuses on identifying and addressing the emotions driving your behaviours in therapy sessions, helping you form healthier, more secure connections with others. It’s especially effective in improving emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships.

TIST incorporates sensorimotor integration to help process trauma, focusing on how the body and mind interact. This approach in therapy in Ottawa supports emotional and physical healing, offering techniques that enable you to stabilize and manage overwhelming feelings.

Narrative Therapy helps you reframe and rewrite the stories you tell yourself, shifting from feelings of victimhood to empowerment. By exploring your personal narrative in therapy sessions, we can help you reclaim control and find new meaning in your experiences.

Drawing on psychodynamic principles, we explore the unconscious patterns influencing your current behaviours and emotions. By bringing these patterns to light in therapy in Ottawa, we enable you to gain insight, understand the root causes, and create lasting change in your life.

Art therapy helps you express emotions and process experiences through creative methods like drawing, painting, or sculpting. It can be especially helpful when words don’t feel like enough.
DBT teaches you practical skills to manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and increase distress tolerance. It is particularly useful if you struggle with emotional regulation, anxiety, or impulsivity.
CBT helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to distress. By shifting these patterns, you can develop healthier coping strategies and improve your emotional well-being.
This approach focuses on your strengths and what is already working in your life. Instead of spending time analyzing problems, therapy helps you create practical solutions and move toward positive change.
ACT helps you build psychological flexibility by accepting difficult emotions while committing to actions that align with your values. It is particularly useful for anxiety, depression, and major life transitions.
Mindfulness-based therapy teaches you to stay present and non-judgemental toward your thoughts and feelings. This approach can help reduce anxiety, improve focus, and enhance emotional regulation.
This approach focuses on how early relationships shape your emotional patterns and connection styles. By exploring your attachment history, you can build healthier relationships and strengthen emotional security.

The journey's better when we shoulder it together.

Get started with Portage Therapy Group™ in Ottawa today. Book directly online or contact us for more information.

Kate Higgison, M.A., R.P., CCTPII, Clinical Member of OSRP

Founder

ABOUT US

Why Work With Portage Therapy Group™

A burden is lighter when it’s carried together.

At Portage Therapy Group™ in Ottawa, we believe that life’s challenges are best faced together. Just like a portage—where you must navigate challenging terrain to get to the other side—we walk alongside you through life’s difficulties, helping you navigate transitions and find healing along the way.

The name “Portage” comes from our belief that connection, teamwork, and shared effort make all the difference. In therapy, this means working together to help you move from one phase of life to the next—whether you’re dealing with life’s rough patches, emotional struggles, or personal growth challenges.

Led by a team of therapists in Ottawa who are committed to human-centred care, we combine evidence-based approaches with a genuine desire to understand you as a person, not just a set of symptoms. We let your voice guide the process. As humans, we need balance—the moments of laughter and the tears, the ups and downs. We embrace it all. We’re not just therapists; we’re partners in your journey toward healing.

Portage Therapy Group™ will help you move forward with clarity, strength, and resilience.

Compassion

Compassion is central to our practice—honouring your story and creating a space where you can be yourself, free from judgement.

Connection

Healing begins with connection. It’s through a connection that transformation happens and courage is found.

Evidence-Based Care

Compassionate connection combined with research-informed, evidence-based approaches ensures our methods are both empathetic and effective.

Our Team

Meet Our Therapists In Ottawa

Find the right psychotherapist for you. Visit a therapist near you in Centretown Ottawa. Our Ottawa therapists also provide online therapy across Ontario.

Beautiful diverse woman in a green eco dutch cafe

Our Approach

How Our Therapy Works

Understand Your Journey

We begin by exploring where you are today and the experiences that have shaped you. This helps us understand your story and identify what you hope to achieve in therapy.

Chart Your Course

Together, we'll create a clear, personalized plan that aligns with your goals. This plan will guide our work and ensure that each step we take is tailored to your unique needs.

Navigate The Path

With continuous support and evidence-based approaches, we’ll work together to help you overcome challenges, build resilience, and move forward with confidence toward the changes you desire.

Therapy in ottawa

Questions About Therapy

Therapy offers a safe, collaborative space where you and your therapist build a trusting relationship to explore life’s challenges. Whether you’re seeking adult therapy, therapy for students, or therapy for elders/retirees, we work together to understand your experiences, gain deeper self-awareness, and develop practical tools for managing emotions and overcoming obstacles. At Portage Therapy Group™, we provide a personalized approach that blends compassion with evidence-based methods, so you feel supported as you navigate your unique journey toward healing and growth.
It’s normal to feel apprehensive about sharing personal thoughts and feelings in therapy. At Portage Therapy Group™, we create a safe, non-judgemental environment where your therapist in Ottawa will work at your pace. Whether you need time to build trust or you find it difficult to articulate your emotions, therapy can provide a space where you can gradually explore what’s on your mind. Your therapist is there to support you, ensuring that sharing is a process, not a requirement, and helping you feel heard and valued each step of the way.
A formal diagnosis is not necessary to begin therapy. Therapy can help you navigate challenges without the need for a specific diagnosis. Instead, we focus on understanding your unique experiences and emotions. Through a personalized approach, we develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, offering you the tools to move forward and achieve your goals, regardless of whether a diagnosis is involved.
It’s completely fine if you don’t know exactly what to work on at the start of therapy. At Portage Therapy Group™, our therapists will help you explore what’s most important to you. We work together to identify areas that might benefit from attention, helping you clarify your goals as you move through the process. Therapy is a journey, and we’re here to guide you through it at your own pace, uncovering the areas that matter most to you.

Yes, therapy is confidential. Whether you’re seeking therapy for elders/retirees, therapy for students, or therapy in Ottawa, we prioritize your privacy and ensure that your personal information is protected. There are certain legal exceptions, such as if there’s a risk of harm to yourself or others, but these will be clearly explained to you at the start of therapy. Rest assured, we are committed to providing a safe and private space for you to express yourself freely.

The length of therapy varies based on your individual needs, goals, and progress. Some individuals may notice improvements within a few weeks or months, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy, especially when addressing complex or ongoing issues. Therapy is a personalized journey that adapts to you. We’ll work together to move at a pace that feels right, with the ultimate goal of empowering you to navigate life’s challenges more effectively.

therapy in ottawa

Positive Changes That Follow Therapy

Life after therapy can bring a sense of clarity and confidence, helping you handle challenges with greater ease. With time and dedication, you’ll develop more self-awareness, healthier ways to cope, and deeper connections with others.
A Hispanic Female Business Professional Smiling at Work in a Open Workspace at the Office

As you continue to grow, you may experience:

Portage Therapy Group™ in ottawa

How To Get Started

Our team at Portage Therapy Group™ in Ottawa is here to support you on your journey to healing.

To get started, please fill out the form or give us a call. You can also book your appointment or Telehealth consultation directly online by clicking the Book Online button. We’re ready to discuss your needs and guide you toward the right therapeutic path.

866-527-7535

190 Lisgar St., Ottawa, ON K2P 0C4
Online therapy available across Ontario

Contact Us!

Therapy in Ottawa | Online in Ontario

Portage Therapy Group™

We help you carry the weight on your path to growth, healing and renewal.