About Brampton Therapist Michael Gowland

MSW, RSW, Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist

If you need a healing space to work out issues in your relationship, in your family, or for yourself personally, we can meet for in-person counselling here in Brampton.  With 16 years of experience, I use a strengths-based, compassionate approach to therapy, and can help you (or a loved one) cope with and overcome challenges that may include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Stress
• Grief and bereavement
• Low self-esteem
• Borderline personality disorder
• Aftermath of motor vehicle accidents
• Psychosis
• Relationship issues – in an individual-counselling or couples-counselling setting

You may benefit from any of a variety of modalities, including acceptance and commitment therapy, solution-focused counselling, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, and crisis planning.

You can contact me today to schedule a (free) 20-minute conversation, in-person here in Brampton.  I look forward to meeting you, getting to know you and your struggles, and helping you to free up mental energy for more of the things you love.

My Story – Why I Became a Therapist

Often it’s important to have the option to talk with a “fellow traveler,” one who understands how the proverbial road can be a confusing and risky place. It’s full of twists and turns, obstacles, hills, paths not taken, and others weaving onto and off of the same path.

I grew up without a father in my life: My father left my family when I was two years old, and I did not hear from him again. That affected my upbringing and for many years made it harder to feel like I “fit in.” Compounding the challenges was a long family history of substance abuse, gambling, bipolar disorder, and borderline-personality disorder.

Fortunately, along the way I had a few people to talk with, confide in, and learn from, who offered some perspective when I needed it most. It took many years for me to find my authentic self, and of course I’m still learning. Where you started does not need to determine where you end up.

Though I can’t claim to have walked a mile in your shoes, perhaps I’ve traveled a similar route, and I definitely understand what it’s like to feel overwhelmed by one challenge after another. I look forward to learning about you and the path you’re on, and to helping you navigate to where you want to go.