Carrie McLlwain
Transformational Counselor
"I believe that the way out of pain is to go through. Through the past wounds, the old beliefs and stories, to a place within where healing can take root as a result of increased awareness, deeper compassion and new patterns for growth"
So often we can feel confused, lost, unhappy and anxious about our lives. Many times we notice that our relationships, families, health and careers may not be what we imagined them to be. We often question ourselves about why we may feel these ways. We search for answers and look outside of ourselves in healthy or unhealthy ways to find solutions. Despite this searching, we still feel like we are stuck, like there is a sliver in our soul. Often we feel overwhelmed and alone.
It doesn’t have to be this way. You no longer have to manage this alone, and there is a road leading out. I can help you find your way into a life you love.
MY STORY
I believe that everyone deserves to live a life of deep love with freedom from suffering. I also know that life does not always offer this to us on a silver platter. Many of us have had heartbreaking experiences, even at the earliest of ages. Helping those who suffer to feel whole, happy and at peace is my mission.
From the earliest age, I have been energetic, playful, open-hearted and sensitive. I have always had an interest in getting to know others on a deeper level, and to figure out life and love. Since I was so sensitive, I often felt people’s pain and I took it into my own heart. Even though I possessed an exuberant love, I often felt a sadness, like something was missing or that something was wrong with me. I had no major trauma in my life, so this felt very confusing and reinforced that something must be wrong with me. I made it my mission to figure out why I suffered this way, and why others seemed to suffer as well, and how it can be healed.
While doing this, I continued to find happiness, love, excitement and joy in my life. I would dabble in my personal therapy and self-development to try to relieve the slight heaviness in my heart and mind while carrying on with my life, a life that flowed fairly well. I was a therapist, I loved the work I did (working with children and families who experienced trauma), and I had three children and a husband who was also my best friend.
Shortly after my third child was born, a loved one who was in their own pain shattered my world. I crumbled. It felt like my life was over, like I would never truly enjoy life again. But I was determined to heal and to have a happy life. I worked tenaciously at healing. I used many different therapeutic approaches: retreats, workshops, spiritual deep dives, herbs and tinctures, and spent thousands of dollars along the way. The healing came slowly. Over the course of several years I could feel more of my old self returning, but there was still a deep sliver in my soul that I just could not get out.
Then I stumbled across Katherine Woodward Thomas and her “Calling in The One” and “Conscious Uncoupling” work, and it brought all of my healing strategies and therapeutic approaches together. Her work helped me to connect in a deeper way to what I knew as a therapist and what I learned on my healing journey. I was able to see the deep wounds in me that I created through my experiences, and how I continued to show up in those wounded patterns which only led to more wounded beliefs and patterns.
When I started to create new patterns, my life started to change. Don’t get me wrong, everything that was painful wasn’t magically erased, but I implemented an approach to healing that I can use when life gets hard and my old wounds get activated, which is inevitable. I was so deeply moved that I decided to become a certified coach in Katherine’s work so that I could incorporate her approach into my therapeutic toolkit. I use Katherine’s work together with the sensorimotor, trauma-informed/attachment-based therapeutic approaches and ontological tools that I have used with clients for many years with great success. This approach really does work and it continues to uplift, inspire me and shift my life and the lives of others everyday. The work helps to transform confusion into clarity and suffering and despair into hope. There is a way through, let me show you.
I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.
- Carl Jung
WORK WITH ME
I work holistically with the mind, body and spirit holding space for one to awaken into their amazing potential and move past old wounds, patterns, beliefs about themselves and into a life they truly desire.
I hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree from King’s College at Western University (1999) and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto (2002). I am registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, as well as the Ontario Association of Social Workers.
Over the course of my years of clinical practice I have obtained a number of additional certifications, including in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, trauma assessment and treatment, and Sensorimotor therapy (level 2). I am also a certified relationship coach through New York Times best-selling author Katherine Woodward Thomas’ programs Calling in "The One” and Conscious Uncoupling.
In my 20 years of clinical practice, I have worked with a broad range of clients including children, youth, parents, couples and families who have dealt with a variety of experiences in their lives including depression, anxiety, separation and divorce, domestic violence, sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
Often it’s the deepest pain which empowers you to grow into your highest self
- Karen Salmansohn
What I have found throughout my career is that no matter what your life experience has been, we all want to feel loved, connected and fulfilled in our lives and often we don't. Life can be challenging even if there was not a major trauma that we experienced. We feel the pressures/expectations of life and we deeply know the stress of family, careers and relationships. You're not alone and there is a way through.
Have a safe, warm space to share your experiences
Challenge and repattern old limiting beliefs
Awaken to the subtle ways you have been relating to your life experiences that have been creating hurtful patterns in your life
See how life happens through us and not just to us
Feel, believe and claim what is possible for your life
Evolve beyond the disappointing experiences in life
Align to your power to shift your patterns and create a happier, healthier life
Working with me you will:
The most dangerous stories we make up are the narratives that diminish our inherent worthiness. We must reclaim the truth about our lovability, divinity and creativity.
- Brené Brown
SERVICES
I offer sessions in person, online and over the phone.
Individual Therapy
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Together, we will explore what has been holding you back from living the life you want. We will heal parts of you where confusion, pain and a lack of love may exist, and implement healthy and empowering ways for you live a life of clarity, joy and love.
7 Step Program
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Tired of unhealthy relationships? Have you been single a lot longer than desired to be? Have you been finding relationships toxic or not working? This program can help you open your heart to creating love you’ve been looking for.
Calling in "The One"
Created by
Katherine Woodward Thomas
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Conscious Uncoupling
Created by
Katherine Woodward Thomas
Conscious Uncoupling
Created by
Katherine Woodward Thomas
5 Step Program
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Are you struggling from the ending of a relationship with a partner, family member, or friend, currently or in the past? Do you want the separation from your partner to be healthy for your children and everyone involved? Build a foundation to create a “happily even after” life, regardless of what the other person does.
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15 min FREE consultation
Let’s get to know each other! During this free consultation I will get to understand your story, what’s not working and what you are looking to shift and create. You will learn more about my approach and sense if the time is right for you to take the sliver out of your soul and step into the life you desire.
TESTIMONIALS
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I was introduced to Carrie, as part of my exploration into the source of and treatment for an autoimmune disease. I had never been to a therapist before, or had considered trauma therapy. I’m sure glad I did. Carrie has opened a new path of healing for me. I’m discovering through meditation and practice the importance of how your body reacts to not only your own stories, but other people’s. It can be difficult slogging through your lived experiences, but Carrie offers a safe place,filled with respect and trust. !I feel happier, and freer since working with Carrie, and have no doubt I will continue to grow as a result.
- K.G. | Toronto
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Carrie has an uncanny ability to see through to the underlying issues and helps you to move through!
- Janice | U.S.A.
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Carrie is an empathic therapist that brings years of experience and training in trauma, attachment and life coaching into service for her clients. Carrie empowers her clients to be the best version of themselves, and does not just simply act as a source of respite from life’s issues. I instantly connected with Carrie as she is open and straightforward. As someone that was never a believer of meditation/breathing techniques, Carrie was able to circumvent my skepticism and demonstrate how when practiced properly, it can be a highly effective tool. Carrie is authentic, respectful and I am truly grateful to have connected with her! Anyone would benefit from meeting and working with Carrie, and I would certainly recommend her to my friends and colleagues.
-Ashley | Toronto
