Lee Kraemer BA, MTC, DCTP, Clinical Member OSP, Member CAPT

Born in South Africa, I lived and studied in England and Europe, raised two children (and a husband). Psychotherapy is a second career, begun shortly after I moved to Canada 22 years ago.

I have a B.A. in English Literature and Sociology, an MA in Therapeutic Counseling and a Diploma from the Centre for Training in Psychotherapy*. I'm a member of the Canadian Association for Psychodynamic Therapy and a Clinical Member of the Ontario Society for Psychotherapists.

People describe me as warm, supportive, insightful and understanding. A sense of humour has always helped me, and I find it delightful in others. I believe in providing my clients with a safe, non-critical and non-judgmental environment in which to explore issues, emotions, thoughts and dreams. For me, psychotherapy is about creating new understandings of self, about seeing patterns, behaviours, emotions and thoughts from a different angle. ‘Two heads are better than one’. The idea is that through talking, you can come to a deeper understanding of who you are. It can also help you move towards a sense of resolution about particular issues, and it can provide you with tools to help you live a more balanced and satisfying life.

My experience shows that having someone listen to you, really listen, hear you and understand you, as well as having the opportunity to articulate and express your thoughts out loud, changes how you feel about yourself. It gives you a different perspective and this can empower you to live the life you want.

*In 1986 the CTP was established as a school dedicated to teaching the art and practice of psychotherapy. The programme is a minimum of six years and the students undergo a rigorous training and clinical supervision. The training is rooted in the traditions of classical psychoanalysis which includes the theoretical perspectives of Ego Psychology, Object Relations, Daseinsanalysis, Self Psychology and the Inter- Subjective approach. In addition to the high academic standards, the CTP requires intensive personal psychotherapy before and during the training.