Dana Corrigan
Registered Provisional Psychologist
MACP, BA (Psychology)
How would you describe your approach to therapy?
Many people come to therapy because they are tired of struggling with the same problems over and over and they know they are related to past experiences. People who have been trapped by negative experiences such as childhood trauma may feel like a failure and beat themselves up when they don’t measure up to their own expectations. Frustration with a lack of progress leads to feelings of helplessness, but things can be different.
I work with my clients to explore past experiences, so they can understand how those experiences might cause problems for them today. With compassion, a new understanding of past experiences allows my clients to build self-awareness and learn how to move past their negative experiences. They no longer feel weighed down by their past and find hope in a life they can be content with.
Experience
Dana began his journey as a therapist 15 years ago when he graduated with a BA in psychology. Over the next 10 years he worked in a community mental health group home, where he gained experience working with complex and acute mental health needs. He then attained his MA in counselling psychology, where he was able to continue developing these skills in a therapeutic setting. From this, Dana has used his experience and knowledge to develop and sustain helping relationships that have greatly improved others’ quality of life. He continues to use them in his work as a therapist, especially with couples, men, people who have experienced trauma, or people who feel lost in life.
Client Focus
Couples, Individual Adult, Older Adult (50+), Adolescents (12+), Family
Types of Therapy
Psychodynamic, Narrative, Gottman Couples Therapy, Existential, Mindfulness, Psychoanalytic, Strength-based, and Humanistic
Issues
Couples, Men’s Issues, Trauma, Grief, Anxiety, Depression, Personality Disorders, Sexuality, Family Problems, and Relationship Issues
I have a very creative mind that I express through making music and writing poetry, and also by enjoying literature, movies, and visual arts. This helps in my work as a therapist because it allows me to read deeper into people’s problems and offer novel insights or solutions.
More than just my work:
In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is someone who seeks awakening but chooses to put off entering paradise to enlighten others. Their compassion motivates them to ease the suffering of others, and their wisdom gives them the knowledge to do so. Yoga and meditation are practices I have been dedicated to for 20 years and they allow me to bring a spiritual connection to my experiences. Like a bodhisattva, I have a strong desire to use the compassion and wisdom I gained in my practice as a therapist to ease the suffering of others.