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About Pothos

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Founder

Welcome!

My name is Krystina (she/her), a Registered Social Worker and founder of Pothos Counselling and Consultation Services. I specialize in evidence-based therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and provide support both in person in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough and virtually across the province of Ontarí:io/Ontario. I'm glad you're here.

Over the last 17+ years, I have worked in a variety of both community and clinical settings, supporting people navigating a wide range of mental health challenges. My work has always been grounded in evidence-based practice, and over time I developed a deep passion for working with individuals experiencing OCD — a condition that is both widely misunderstood and undertreated.

Specialized OCD Treatment

OCD affects 2-3% of the world's population, yet finding effective, specialized care can feel like an overwhelming task. It takes courage to advocate for yourself, and I want you to know, there is no shame in struggling with OCD or intrusive thoughts, and recovery is possible.

OCD requires targeted, specialized treatment. I have extensive training and years of experience supporting people through Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard, evidence-based approach for OCD. This is the primary framework I use with Clients seeking support specifically for OCD, and I am committed to delivering therapy that reflects current best practices in the field.

Additional Areas of Support

In addition to OCD, I also provide specialized support to people struggling with:

  • • Social anxiety
  • • Generalized anxiety, stress and worry
  • • Health anxiety
  • • Panic disorder and agoraphobia
  • • Specific phobias such as emetophobia

If you are navigating one or more of these concerns, know that you are equally welcome at Pothos.

A Note on Who I Work With

I work with adults 18 and older, and I am committed to providing thoughtful, compassionate services to people who feel overwhelmed, alone, or uncertain about where to turn. Whatever brings you here, I am glad you found your way to this page. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to know more.

My Approach

At Pothos, all care is rooted in trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and decolonizing frameworks. This means working collaboratively with you, honouring your lived experience, and co-creating a space where you feel genuinely respected and heard. My aim is to support your abilities and values in the face of both personal and systemic challenges, while helping you quiet the inner critic and build a life that feels more like your own.

I draw from a range of evidence-based modalities, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Narrative Therapy — always tailoring my approach to what fits you and your needs best.

Qualifications & Selected Certifications

  • Bachelor of Social Work (2008) and Master of Social Work (2009)
  • Registered Social Worker (#819128)
  • Certified Advanced Practice Clinician for CBT (U of T, 2022)
  • Certified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CACBT, 2024)
  • Social Work Supervision Certificate (University of Calgary, 2025)


Selected Trainings

  • 4 Day Intensive Exposure and Response Prevention - Centre for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (CTSA), University of Pennsylvania
  • CBT for OCD - McMaster University
  • 4 Day IOCDF Advanced Training Forum - International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
  • Specific Phobias Training - CTSA University of Pennsylvania
  • I-CBT Basic Training - OCD Training School
  • Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours - Sheppard Pratt
  • Figuring It Out: Understanding and Managing Rumination as a Compulsion in OCD - Centre for OCD and Anxiety, University of Pittsburgh
  • Justice Based ERP - OCD Training School
  • Autism and ERP/OCD - Sheppard Pratt
  • Bull City Anxiety and OCD Treatment Centre Lunch and Learns:
    • Diagnosis and Assessment
    • OCD Subtypes
    • ERP 101
    • Family Accommodation
    • Writing Exposure Scripts
    • Treating Mental Compulsions
    • Perinatal OCD
    • Ethical Considerations
    • Moral and Religious Scrupulosity
    • Treating Emetophobia
  • Understanding and Treating OCPD - Centre for Emotional Health
  • Thoughts, Images, Urges and Mental Compulsions: Case Presentations - The Knowledge Tree
  • The YBOCS - The Knowledge Tree
  • 1st Annual Mid Atlantic Conference - Sheppard Pratt
  • Functional Analysis for Targeted OCD Treatment - The Knowledge Tree
  • OCD Subtleties - Sheppard Pratt
  • Body-Based Obsessions - Sheppard Pratt
  • Relationship Based OCD - CTSA, University of Pennsylvania
  • Exposure Practice Beyond the Therapy Room - The Knowledge Tree
  • IOCDF Consultation Groups (ongoing)
  • San'yas: Indigenous Cultural Safety Training in Ontario - Provincial Health Services Authority of British Columbia
  • Trauma-Informed Care with Indigenous Populations - Aboriginal Engagement and Outreach, Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH)
  • Collaborating with Indigenous Partners: Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program - CAMH
  • The Art and Science of Ethical Practice in Native Communities: A Native Psychologist's Perspective - William H. Shunkamolah, Ph.D.
  • Indigenous Health Conference: Building Our Future - Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
  • Foundations of Indigenous Cultural Safety - Indigenous Primary Health Care Council
  • Métis Mental Health - Weaving Wellness Centre
  • Inuit Cultural Sensitivity Training - Tungasuvvingat Inuit Ontario
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Fundamental Skills Training - Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto (U of T)
  • Fundamentals of CBT - Temerty Faculty of Medicine, U of T
  • CBT for Depression - Temerty Faculty of Medicine, U of T
  • Introduction to CBT for Anxiety and Related Disorders - Temerty Faculty of Medicine, U of T
  • Anxiety 1 (GAD, Panic) - Temerty Faculty of Medicine, U of T
  • Anxiety 2 (Soc Anx, Phobias, HA) - Temerty Faculty of Medicine, U of T
  • Anxiety 3 (OCD, PTSD) - Temerty Faculty of Medicine, U of T
  • Sacred Circle CBT, 12 week program - Wilfrid Laurier University
  • ACT Essentials, 3 Day Intensive - Association for Psychological Therapies

OCD-focused CBT and I-CBT trainings are listed under OCD / related, ERP & I-CBT above.

  • Traumatology: Clinical Traumatology Supervision - Toronto Institute of Traumatology
  • Leading Edge Leadership Training - Ontario Shores
  • Clinical Supervision: Providing Effective Supervision, Navigating Ethical Issues and Managing Risk, 2 Day Intensive - PESI, Dr. George Haarman, PsyD, LMFT
  • Social Work Supervision Certificate - University of Calgary
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Let's Connect

We know that finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming. If you're struggling with navigating various difficulties and stressors in your life and want support finding a different path, please reach out to us so we can book a brief call.

During this informal conversation, we can discuss your needs and practical considerations (such as fees, timing of sessions etc.) and determine together whether Pothos is the right fit for you moving forward.

Based on our discussion, if we discover that the fit isn't right, we can provide suggestions for alternative options and considerations.

info@pothoscounselling.com
(249) 505-0588

Please ensure that when you send emails to Pothos Counselling and Consultation Services, that you check your junk folder for our response, sometimes correspondence gets interrupted or held up as a result

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