For over 40 years I’ve worked with individuals, couples and groups facing a full range of the many challenges that life presents such as: depression, anxiety, grief, addiction, couple conflicts, all manner of traumas etc. My clientele includes people from all walks of life, ages, sexual preferences, ethnic and religious backgrounds. In addition, I also provide consultation and counselling to those optimizing their talents and abilities.
I see clients as social, physical, intellectual and spiritual beings, thus all of these areas are potentially addressed in our work together.
I feel blessed to have spent twelve years in monasteries and temples in India, Japan, Burma and Nepal studying under some of the greatest wisdom teachers of our time. As a result of those years, a unique blend of the wisdom teachings and therapeutic modalities naturally evolved to help clients.
I studied, taught and counselled at a California State University campus, where I counselled foreign university students, and taught in the English and Linguistics Departments. I also, for some years, taught a variety of therapeutic modalities to health practitioners, co-created and ran a wellness centre and taught yoga. I conducted mindfulness workshops at a cancer resource centre, counselled in psychiatric and general hospitals, coached business people, trades people, government officials, athletes, musicians, actors etc.
As of 2016, I began to provide psychotherapy and counselling exclusively online and via telephone. As a result, I am now able to provide services for clientele in any part of the world.
A Holistic Psycho-Spiritual Approach
I utilize a holistic approach that, depending on the needs of the client, might include any of the following:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
- Loving Kindness Practices
- Meditation
- Couples Counselling
- Premarital Counselling
- Depression and Anxiety Intervention
- Stress Reduction
- Driving Anxiety Treatment
- Workplace Stress Reduction
- Grief Counselling
- Addiction Counselling (alcohol, drugs, nicotine, eating disorders, sex, pornography, gambling etc)
- Lifestyle Counselling which might include Nutritional Counselling and Exercise
- EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique
- Performance Enhancement Coaching (PEC)
- Spiritual Crisis Counselling
- Counselling for Voice Hearers
- Pain Management
- Yoga Therapy
- Breath Work
In 1998, in order to provide guidance in meditation practices, such as training in mindfulness (Vipassana), and loving kindness (Metta), I established the registered charity Spring Rain Sangha. Over the years, thousands attended weekly meditation classes held every Tuesday night. As well, one day non-residential retreats and three to ten day residential retreats were held in Ontario, British Columbia and Upstate New York. Siince 2010 I have retired from Spring Rain Sangha, turning over teaching responsibilities to two highly qualified colleagues/friends.
I am available exclusively for telephone and video counselling and warmly welcome your questions about any aspect of my work.
Referrals to appropriate complementary practitioners and medical doctors may be made upon request.
To make an appointment or for more information:
Phone: (416) 710-3505
Email: philip.starkman@hushmail.com