top of page
Minimalist Botanical Cream Banner.png

YOUR STORY IS WELCOME HERE.

Andrea

Cottee

MACP

REGISTERED PSYCHOTHERAPIST & EMDR

Registered Psychotherapist offering virtual EMDR and couples therapy and First Responders

It's through relationships that we learn best and grow best.

FRED ROGERS

Adults

Youth (14+)

Couples

Families

First Responders

Virtual

A NOTE FROM ANDREA

Hi! I'm Andrea.

Visiting here is a choice you have made for yourself, and a meaningful one. Choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and it is important to find someone you feel comfortable with. Here's a little about myself and my approach to help you decide if we might be a good fit.

​

Perhaps you're reading this because life has been feeling heavier than it used to:

  • Something you went through still shows up in your body, your sleep, your reactions, long after it ended.

 

​

  • The job asks you to stay steady through things most people never see, and the weight of it follows you home.

 

  • Worry runs in the background of everything, and it is exhausting.

 

  • Getting through the day takes more than it used to, and the things that used to matter feel far away.

 

  • Life has shifted - work, family, health - and you haven't found your footing in the new version yet.

Or maybe everything looks fine from the outside, and you are tired of carrying the difference alone.​

 

My work is integrative and evidence-based, drawing on CBT, DBT, IFS, and Polyvagal approaches, as well as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, for the treatment of a variety of mental health challenges, complex trauma, and PTSD.

​

The individuals I work with are navigating a wide range of challenges, including trauma (PTSD and Complex PTSD), abuse recovery, addictions, anger, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem concerns. A particular focus of mine is supporting first responders and their family members, as well as those facing major life transitions or work-related stress and burnout. Couples are part of my practice as well, using a Gottman Level 1 approach, helping partners enhance communication, manage conflict effectively, and rebuild emotional connection.

​

My approach is client-centred and trauma-informed, grounded in compassion, curiosity, and kindness. I strive to create a supportive space for clients to explore their experiences, reconnect with their inner sense of self, and work toward greater emotional well-being, resilience, and transformation. 

​

However you found your way here, I'm glad you did. Your story is welcome here. 

Andrea

Minimalist Eucalyptus on Ivory.png

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

What I can help with.

Life brings its challenges to all of us. Here are some of the primary reasons people reach out to me for support. Please feel free to click on any of the areas below to learn more about my approach to each one.

icon-cindy-circle-1.png
icon-anger-circle.png
icon-chronic-illness-circle.png
icon-cindy-circle-5.png
icon-stress-zap-circle.png

C-PTSD

Depression icon — rain cloud in gold circle.png
Perfectionism icon — target.png
icon-cindy-circle-6.png
Stress icon — pressure gauge.png
icon-cindy-circle-7.png
icon-stress-zap-circle.png
icon-cindy-circle-8.png
icon-relational-trauma-bandage-circle.png
icon-cindy-circle-16.png
icon-cindy-circle-6.png
Unhealthy Relationships icon — heart with X.png
icon-cindy-circle-9.png
Family Estrangement icon — diverging paths.png
icon-cindy-circle-4.png
icon-cindy-circle-2.png

Neurodivergence

icon-self-esteem-circle.png

CLIENT-CENTRED

EVIDENCE-BASED

COLLABORATIVE

Shaping your therapy: My approaches.

No two people need the exact same thing from therapy. That is why we will work together to find the approach that best fits your unique story and current needs. The modalities listed below are the evidence-based approaches I most often integrate into sessions and introduce skills and tools from. The value of the therapeutic relationship is that it provides a supportive space to explore these tools, find or reclaim your voice, and carry that strength into your everyday life.

credentials-photo-armchair-350x640.jpg

TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Qualified to support you.

My training and experience inform the care I offer. I bring together professional registration, specialized training, and ongoing learning to support adults, youth, couples, and families.

EDUCATION & REGISTRATIONS

  • Registered Psychotherist with College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

  • Master of Arts Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University 

  • Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto

  • Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience from Brock University.Member, 

Certifications and Training icon, bigger in cream circle.png

CERTIFICATIONS & SPECIALIZED TRAININGS

  • Certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy EMDRIA approved basic training

  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 1 The Gottman Institute

  • Hypnotherapy by PESI Institute

  • DBT Training by PESI Institute

BEGINNING THERAPY

A Simple Guide To Our First Session.

01

Simple Preparation

After booking, you will receive an email with a brief intake form to complete before our appointment. This covers essential consent details, practice policies, and some helpful background. For couples, both partners fill one out; for children, a parent takes care of it. Once submitted, you will receive all the practical details for our meeting—including parking directions or your secure video link.

02

A Space To Be Heard

Our first meeting is about getting to know you, rather than trying to solve everything at once. We will have a down-to-earth conversation about what has been going on in your life, explore the challenges you are facing, and discuss what you hope will be different. By the end of this first conversation, we will have a shared sense of how we can best work together and a direction for moving forward.

03

A Collaborative Rhythm

We will work together to find a pace that keeps you feeling secure while still helping you grow. You don't have to share everything on day one. As we build trust, I will support you, but I will also gently challenge you and offer new perspectives to help you move forward.

NEXT STEPS TO BOOK WITH ANDREA

Your Story Is Welcome Here.

I FEEL READY.

"It's through relationships that we learn best and grow best."

                                    — Fred Rogers

Our work together starts with building that relationship. If my approach feels like a good fit for you, you can book your first session directly through the online portal.

Andrea Cottee - Registered Psychotherapist offering virtual EMDR and couples therapy and F

I HAVE QUESTIONS.

If you have a few questions first or prefer to coordinate a time together, feel free to send a quick note below. I will get back to you within 24–48 of my business hours.

Your move from hurt to hope
can begin today.

A real human on the other end, holding compassionate, non-judgmental space for whatever you bring. In person in St. Catharines or virtually across Ontario.

bottom of page