Karen Baker, RP, CTP Diplshe/her
Registered Psychotherapist
Telehealth only: British Columbia, Ontario
Online Psychodynamic Therapy for adults across Ontario and BC who are tired of just surviving and are ready for change.
About
Stress that won't switch off - saying yes when we wish we said no - constantly over-thinking: these are signs of a nervous system stuck in survival mode. Patterns of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and anxiety aren't random. Perhaps these still feel necessary, or maybe they feel like flaws - they're not, at some point they helped. But, are we faithfully following a rule-book that no longer applies?
WHO I WORK WITH: I'm a Registered Psychotherapist (regulated in Ontario, CRPO), now based in BC. I provide secure online psychodynamic therapy to clients across Ontario and British Columbia.
I work with adults who are tired of just surviving, and are looking to change old patterns that no longer serve them: chronic anxiety, stress that won't switch off, relational difficulties, or a sense of being stuck in familiar loops, to name a few.
WHAT CHANGES: Over time, the experience of being heard and attuned-to in therapy grooves an embodied sense of safety. As the nervous system finds more capacity to shift out of 'survival', more becomes available: rest that actually restores, patience in hard conversations, deeper connection with the people you love. Painful or shameful parts that once felt monstrous are often revealed as misunderstood - parts that were only ever trying to protect.
A NOTE ON HOW I WORK: I tend to play my cards face up. I'll tell you what I'm thinking and why, so the work doesn't feel like a black box. I'm comfortable with ambiguity and the messiness of real human experience. I won't rush you toward simple answers. There's no fixed route - I'm here to accompany you on a journey led by your innate drive toward healing. That said, I provide a steadying hand, or guidance, when needed.
Before training as a psychotherapist, I spent 13 years practicing as a chiropractor, which shaped my deep respect for the mind-body connection in healing, and informs my therapy practice.
CONNECT: I offer a free introductory session (30–50 minutes) to get a feel for whether my approach feels right — fit matters, even if you're not sure yet what you're looking for.
Specialties
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief & loss
- Self-esteem
- Stress management
- Burnout
- Eating disorders
- Codependency / People-pleasing
- Boundaries
- Complex trauma / cptsd
Approaches
- Psychodynamic
- Somatic / body-based
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Works with
- Adults
Sessions
Languages
- English
Logistics
- Fees
CA$165per session
Fees follow a structured sliding scale. Sessions are $125, $150, or $175 per session, based on income and ability to pay. Your specific rate is established during the introductory consult. (Lower-fee slots may be limited in number.) All fees are HST-exempt.
- Insurance
Accepts: Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield Canada, Blue Cross, Desjardins Insurance
Direct billing available for Greenshield and companies with Telus Health (Canada Life, Manulife, etc.) For other providers, detailed receipts are issued after each session.
Licensed or authorized in
Frequently asked questions
- What does a first session with you look like?
- I offer a free introductory session - which is, essentially, just a conversation. It's an opportunity for you to ask any questions, to get a sense of how I work, and decide it feels like a good match.
- Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
- Yes. My regular office hours are 12 - 8pm M-F. I have evening appointment available through the week.
- How quickly can I book a first appointment?
- Depending on both of our schedules, we can usually find time for a first visit within a couple of days to a week.
- What should I do if I'm not sure therapy is right for me?
- I suggest you simply start by booking an introductory session. It's not a commitment and it's the best way to get the lay of the land, get a sense of how the therapist works, and a feel for what sessions will be like. From there you can decide whether it feels right for you.
- What's your approach to working with Anxiety?
- Anxiety is often an indication that we are conflicted about something, even if it's unconscious. Sometimes different parts of ourselves have competing agendas - I help clients discover these hidden aspects of themselves, and the beliefs or needs driving them. Bringing our inner world into awareness can help us feel better able to make informed choices in our outer world. This, in itself, is usually accompanied by a sense of empowerment, and also relief.
- Who do you typically work best with?
- This approach may resonate with you if you're seeking more than symptom management—if you sense that your current struggles are connected to deeper patterns shaped by your early relationships and experiences. I'm comfortable with complexity, ambiguity, and the messiness of real human experience. I won't rush you or judge you. We'll work at your pace, following what feels most important to you, trusting in your capacity for healing when given the right relational conditions.
Credentials
- CTP Dipl, Centre for Training in Psychotherapy, Toronto, 2022
- DC, CMCC, Toronto, 2004
- BSc, Queen's University, Kingston, 1998