Gestalt Therapy with Luisa de Amaral
My Approach
I combine my experience as a medical doctor with
training in Gestalt psychology, sensory awareness
and expressive arts to provide Gestalt Therapy
with an eclectic approach.
Using arts-based and body-based interventions
and drawing upon metaphor, verbal statements,
body gestures and other expressive approaches,
I develop experiments tailored to the individual.
These experiments are developed to evoke
emotional responses which are addressed in the
moment. In this way, the person experiences and
explores aspects of self at his/her edge of growth
and gains awareness of personal responsibility
and choice.
About Me
I hold a Medical Degree from the Faculty of Medicine of Porto, recognized by the WHO (World Health Organization). My training and subsequent practice of medicine had a profound impact in my personal development. Bearing witness to raw human emotions in the struggle that takes place between life and death, hopelessness and courage, vulnerability and strength, dignity and fear in the face of the unknown has filled me with compassion, tenderness and respect for the human existence. In turn, my interest in the biological aspects of the human being has shifted towards the psychological, existential and spiritual realms. Having gained respect for the medical profession, I however realized that I wasn’t finding my place in it and sought a holistic, more person-centred approach to healing in Toronto.
I have since completed a four year psychotherapy training program at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto. I currently have a supervised individual, couples and group psychotherapy practice.
Over the years my understanding of our interconnectedness to each other and our environment has deepened, and with it so has my involvement in social justice and environmental issues. For this, I have been using art as a conduit for both personal exploration and to promote awareness of our impact and “response-ability” towards ourselves, each other and our environment. I have had additional training in Art Therapy, Couples Therapy and in Forum Theatre (otherwise known as Theatre of the Oppressed).
I am registered with the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists (OACCPP).
Luisa is a certified Gestalt psychotherapist and group facilitator who uses an holistic, intuitive, sensitive, person-centred and playful approach to self-exploration and emotional healing. Blending modalities, Luisa works flexibly with her clients using paradox, metaphor, art, gesture, enactment and sensory awareness to better engage with their present experience, accessing excitement and new found courage, and embracing emergent possibilities and authentic choice.
In her Toronto psychotherapy practice, Growing Edge Psychotherapy, founded in 2009, she works with adults of all ages, couples and groups addressing:
- anxiety
- depression
- co-dependency
- misdirected anger
- addictions
- low self-esteem
- bereavement
- longstanding issues of trauma or abuse
- domestic violence
- coping with a psychiatric diagnosis or health concerns
- LGBTIQ focus
In her workshops, Luisa has focused on:
- discovering deep-rooted beliefs, personal stories and uncovering disruptive patterns which lead to emotional eating
- building effective communication, commitment and creativity in relationships
- navigating challenging life transitions
Luisa holds an M.D. from the University of Porto, Portugal, is a graduate of the Gestalt Institute of Toronto and is registered with the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists (OACCPP). She has additional training in Art Therapy, Couples Therapy, Sensory Awareness (mindfulness-based) and in Forum Theatre (otherwise known as Theatre of the Oppressed).
In her practice of medicine, Luisa experienced the struggle that takes place between life and death, hopelessness and courage, vulnerability and strength, dignity and fear in the face of the unknown. Renewed with compassion, tenderness and respect for the human experience, her interest in the biological aspects has expanded to include psychological and spiritual aspects to facilitate clients' connection with their existential selves, to define who they are and to work with what is available to them.
An activist, community organizer, world traveller and wilderness explorer, Luisa has a broad understanding of diverse cultures and issues of importance to her clients. Luisa divides her time between her practice and promoting awareness for environmental and social justice issues.
Luisa offers therapy in English and Portuguese. Her services are covered by most extended insurance plans.
Office Locations:
179 Carlton Street, Toronto
82 Nassau St, 2nd floor (Kensington Market)
Contact Luisa directly at 647-688-2331 or luisa.de.amaral@gmail.com or visitwww.edgeofgrowth.com.
