Caryn Pushka is a Registered Psychotherapist who uses evidence-based third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy and positive psychology, incorporating humanistic and mindfulness-based techniques in her work with clients. Originally trained in Applied Behaviour Analysis, she worked within the Traumatic Brain Injury and Complex Trauma Rehabilitation fields before returning to complete her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology after fulfilling executive roles in healthcare, law, and business management, and raising four children. Caryn’s practice is trauma-informed and incorporates a strength-based approach. Together with her clients, she examines what is not serving them and builds their inner strength to achieve their goals. She is passionate about helping individuals and couples navigate challenges and strengthen their mindset for lasting change.

Services

• Individual psychotherapy (adults)
• Couple therapy (Gottman Method strategies)
• Trauma-focused therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
• Pain management therapy
• Grief counseling
• Mindset strengthening

Therapy Modalities

• Third-Wave Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – Trained Therapist
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) – Certified
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) – Certified
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) – Certified
• Positive Psychology
• Humanistic Therapy
• Mindfulness-Based Techniques
• Gottman Method (for couples)
• Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy – Certified
• Applied Behaviour Analysis
• Strength-Based Approach

Area of Focus

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Complex trauma
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) rehabilitation
• Anxiety and depression
• Relationship issues and couples counselling
• Pain management
• Grief and loss
• Adjustment issues
• Mindset strengthening
• Life transitions

Credentials

• Registered Psychotherapist (RP #12435) – Independent Practice – College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
• Associate Member (#11243885) – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
• Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counselling Psychology – Yorkville University, New Brunswick (2023)
• Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Brock University, St. Catharines, ON (1987-1991) 
  • Thesis on human performance and task interference won the most valuable contribution at the Ergonomics conference in Russia
  • Teacher’s assistant and research assistant
  • Varsity rower
• Behavioural Analysis Training – McMaster Hospital, Hamilton, ON (1991-1995) 
  • Practicum at McMaster Brain Injury Recovery Program
  • Selected to participate in teaching sabbatical in Israel
  • Research and publications conducted

Training and Certifications:

• EMDR Trained Therapist – NSTC (November 2024)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Certificate of Training (October 2024)
• Understanding Ketamine Therapy Certificate of Training (May 2023)
• Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Certificate of Training (November 2022)
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD Certificate of Training (July 2022)

Research Interests & Pending Training:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
• Gottman Couples Certification
• EMDR Certification (currently have trained status)