Elsa Trovarello MA

Registered Psychotherapist (RP)

Inspiration

My name is Elsa Trovarello and I'm a mixed First Nations woman from Nipissing FN. I was raised in Wawa, Ontario, doing everything from hockey to adventure-racing, and soaking up Lake Superior. At a very young age, I decided I wanted to be a therapist - I was never one for small talk. My favourite place was always in the middle of an intense conversation about self-growth, connection, and the human psyche. Growing up in Northern Ontario, I've been a forest fire ranger, a shelter worker, and a therapist. Throughout my journey I've witnessed countless stories of trauma and hardship. I have also witnessed the overcoming of these hardships and am constantly in awe of it. These stories of resilience inspired my decision to become involved in others journeys towards healing.

I am a therapist that believes that therapy should be tailored to fit the person; that is why I make it my goal to collaborate with clients based on their beliefs and values as well as my clinical judgement. I'm informal, honest, and open, using my authentic self to connect with clients. I believe in meeting people where they are at, which means being real and down-to-earth.

Therapuetic Style

Third Space Therapy was born from my admiration of the therapeutic process, in which the therapist and client create a new space that the client can learn, reflect, and grow into the individual they want to be. I utilize a humanistic and existential approach that puts the client at the centre, holding space and offering direction.

I offer non-judgemental guidance, research-based interventions, therapeutic knowledge, and psycho-education in my therapy sessions. Whether that includes processing trauma, or working to overcome depression and anxiety, I am ready to help using evidence-based research and a longstanding expertise in psychology.

Credentials

I received my Honours BA in Specialized Psychology at Lakehead University. I began a masters in Psychological Science at Lakehead University where I studied sexual abuse, resilience, and cultural protective factors in Indigenous woman. I also volunteered in the Cognitive Acquisition lab, and the Sensory and Neuroscience Perception lab as an assistant researcher. I relocated to Western University to pursue a masters in Counselling Psychology. I engaged in an internship at Family Service Thames Valley in London, Ontario, where I practised as a clinician providing individual therapy as well as group therapy for anxiety, depression, anger management, and support groups for LGBTQ+2 individuals. I am currently registered under the College of Ontario Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO).

After 10 years of researching everything from neuropsychology, resilience theory, and evolutionary psychology, to trauma and mindfulness, I practise psychotherapy from a multitude of best practise standards and research. While I have training in CBT, ACT, DBT, Tri-phasic Trauma Therapy, LGBTQ+2 Affirmative therapy, among others; I recognize that each individual is unique and so therapeutic intervention is collaborative and tailored to reflect each person's distinctive journey.