Our Mission
The Institute of Family Living (IFL) is the umbrella under which a multi-disiciplinary, cross-cultural team of professional associates and consultants work collegially in individual private practice. Guided by Christian and Jewish faith traditions, we offer psychotherapy, assessment, and consultation to individuals, couples, families, and human service agencies.
Since 1971, IFL has provided therapeutic, educational, and consulting services to a wide variety of people and organizations. Our associates are members of the College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO), members of the Ontario and American Associations for Marriage and Family Therapy (OAMFT/AAMFT), Ontario Medical Association (OMA), Ontario Psychological Association (OPA), Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or other accredited professional associations, and we maintain a growing network of professional Consultants
Our Institute offers rich and diverse possibilities for therapeutic help, as each Associate brings his or her unique gifts and expertise to the IFL team.
Learn more about our Advanced Counselling Training Program, details
Counselling Services:
Personal counselling and therapy to help individuals deal with challenges in physical health, emotional, interpersonal, and spiritual areas of life including self-esteem, assertiveness, anger management, panic attacks, depression, anxiety, stress management, life transitions, loss, grief and bereavement, family of origin issues. Our therapists use a broad variety of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioural, AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), family systems, psychodynamic, and brief therapy.
Pre-marital, couple, marriage and family counselling to help establish and maintain open communication, resolve conflicts, explore family of origin and inter-generational issues, and foster personal growth in relationships.
Trauma and abuse therapy to help the treatment and recovery from the effects of domestic violence, childhood traumas, emotional, sexual and physical abuse, traumatic accidents, etc. Our therapists use a variety of techniques, including focusing, relaxation, body work and EMDR.
Addiction counselling to help individuals, couples and families heal from the effects of drug and alcohol abuse, gambling, eating disorders, and sexual and work addictions. We also work collaboratively with addiction specialists and recovery programs.
Child and adolescent counselling, including psycho-educational assessments, to help children deal with learning disabilities, ADD and ADHD, trauma and abuse. This includes play therapy, strategies and techniques to assist parents in understanding and dealing with specific behavioural problems.
Mediation services to help couples through separation and divorce, the development of parenting plans and resolution of family assets and debts, and equalization. Our comprehensive mediation consultant includes access to family law and financial advisors.
Vocational counselling to help with career transitions and changes. This includes personal counselling and may involve personality testing.
Education, Training, and Consultation Services:
For individuals in the helping professions, IFL provides professional development programs. Our AAMFT Approved Supervisors provide individual and group supervision.
For the general public, IFL provides workshops on request in assertiveness training, parenting, communication, sexuality, and other areas of current interest. Our Associates are frequent speakers at faith and community groups.
For organizations, IFL provides consultation on personnel issues to a variety of community agencies and faith communities. We also assist in developing policies, organizational structures, and training programs. We are associated with, and receive referrals from, a variety of Employee Assistance Plans.
Groups and Training Courses a the IFL:
Learn more about our Advanced Counselling Training Program and Support Groups, details