Don Edwards

Don is a registered psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, couples counselor and a career, relationship and life coach working with people in crisis, couples, young adults who are getting established in life, individuals coping with the ups and downs of dating or a new relationship, LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, and persons of any age who are finding out through experience who they really are and what they want their life to be.

Life transitions involve redefining oneself either by choice in response to imbalances between outside pressures and personal well-being, or sudden changes of circumstance such as loss of a loved one, relationship, health or employment. For others, the transition may involve shifting one''s perspective on and emotional engagement with one''s culture or family of origin. For gay young men, the transition of coming out involves the quest for a more consonant identity independent of stereotypes and prejudice and may involve detachment from past associations that have always been flavoured with mixed emotions. For older men coming to terms with their sexuality, the transition may involve significant shifts in how their lives are constituted, or may be confined to an inner reorganization toward greater peace with themselves.

Don's strengths are his life and work experience, his quick and intuitive grasp of complex issues from the client's perspective, his ability to discern the dynamics of relationships and his willingness to support the client through the changes they have elected to pursue. Don combines his background in social psychology, philosophy, music, teaching and research in exploring what gives life personal significance.

Don's approach is existential and Gestalt-based, exploring the role of creative expression in addressing long-standing issues as they influence the client's present subjective experience. Don's couples work is influenced by the contributions to the field of Esther Perel, Terrence Real, John Gottman, David Steele of the Relationship Coaching Institute, and Stan Tatkin's psychobiological approach to couples therapy (PACT). Don's vocational counseling work is influenced by his background in psychology and experience in industry.

Don is a founding member and present director of All of You Wellness Centre in Toronto, Canada, a network of holistic mental health-focused wellness professionals serving individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and businesses.

Don holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, is a graduate of the Gestalt Institute of Toronto and is a lifetime member of the Relationship Coaching Institute, a Certified Member of the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP), a Certified Therapist in EMDR and EMDRIA Consultant in Training, has taught at the university level, and has over two decades of experience in the corporate sector as a market researcher, human factors consultant and insurance professional.