covid-conscious therapy
covid-conscious & covid-cautious therapy
accessible in-person covid-cautious therapy in Toronto
virtual covid-conscious therapy across Ontario
grounded in care, access, and relationship
Covid-conscious and covid-cautious therapy is a core part of my practice. Being able to show up as our full selves together really matters to me.
For many people, including immunocompromised folks, disabled people, those living with chronic illness or long covid, caregivers, and community-minded clients, Covid and other airborne illness is not an abstract concern. It is part of daily, lived reality.
Choosing Covid caution is not a pathology.
It is not fear-based, irrational, or something to be “fixed” or “worked through.”
In this practice, Covid awareness is understood as care — for yourself, for others, and for the relational situation we share.
what covid-conscious therapy means here
Covid-conscious therapy acknowledges that health risk can be unevenly distributed, and that therapy should not require someone to compromise their feeling of safety and security in order to receive support.
Being covid-conscious means:
recognizing that Covid continues to affect many lives
respecting your choice around risk and access
staying responsive and curious together rather than dismissive
prioritizing relational safe-enough spaces alongside physical autonomy
Therapy should be a space where you don’t have to wonder whether your needs will be taken seriously. You matter. Your concern is justified. You’re onto something.
covid caution as community care (not pathology)
In embodied relational Gestalt therapy, we understand behaviour and responses in a context.
Covid caution is often a clear, grounded response to:
lived experience of illness or disability
care for immunocompromised loved ones
medical harm or dismissal
long Covid
collective responsibility and community care
In this practice, Covid caution is approached with respect and curiosity, not diagnosis or correction.
You do not need to justify your choices here. The therapeutic relationship exists to build enough support so that we can be curious together about what’s going on for you.
how covid-conscious therapy may look in practice
Covid-conscious care is collaborative and flexible, not rigid or performative. Specific agreements are discussed together and shaped by consent.
Depending on your needs, this may include:
masking during in-person sessions
attention to ventilation or air filtration
transparent communication around illness policies
flexible rescheduling without penalty
remote or hybrid therapy options
explicit consent around proximity and shared space
The through-line is choice and relational clarity.
a relational gestalt approach to safety
In embodied relational Gestalt therapy, safety is not just logistical — it is felt.
Instead of using the word “safe,” I often use the word connection.
When someone know their health concerns will not be minimized:
nervous systems settle
trust becomes possible
vigilance softens
contact deepens
Covid-conscious practice supports co-regulation by removing the need to defend or explain your choices around how you take care of yourself.
Together, we might explore new possibilities of how you can have even more choice around care.
who this service is for
This practice may be a good fit if you:
are Covid-cautious or immunocompromised
live with chronic illness or disability
are navigating Long Covid
value community care and mutual responsibility
want therapy that does not pathologize your choices
are seeking a covid-cautious therapist in Toronto
an invitation
It is possible to engage with therapy that does not ask you to choose between care and access.
If you are looking for covid-conscious, covid-cautious therapy, I welcome you to reach out. We can talk together about what support looks like for you, at your pace, and with respect for your lived reality.
Covid-conscious therapy is not about staying stuck in fear and withdrawal from the world.
It is about staying in relationship with what is happening, becoming response-able, and finding ways to connect deep with each other.
And that, at its heart, is Gestalt therapy.
frequently asked questions about covid-conscious therapy
What does “Covid-conscious” or “Covid-cautious” therapy mean in this practice?
In this practice, being Covid-conscious or Covid-cautious means acknowledging that Covid is still part of many people’s lived reality, and responding with care, flexibility, and respect.
It is not about fear or rigidity. It is about connection, consent, and shared responsibility.
Covid-conscious therapy recognizes that different bodies carry different levels of risk, and that therapy should not require someone to minimize their needs in order to receive support.
Is Covid caution viewed as an “anxiety disorder” or something to fix/cure in therapy?
No.
Covid caution - like any other experience, i.e. anxiety, depression, trauma - is not treated as a symptom, diagnosis, or problem to be fixed. For many people, Covid awareness is a thoughtful, grounded response to lived experience, health realities, disability, caregiving responsibilities, or community care values.
If Covid caution or health awareness is part of your life, it is met with respect and curiosity, not pathologizing interpretations.
What Covid-cautious measures are in place?
This is a collaborative process. We will discuss risk mitigation practices together, which may include things like:
masking during in-person sessions
attention to ventilation or air filtration
transparent communication around illness or exposure
flexible rescheduling without penalty
remote or hybrid session options
There is no one-size-fits-all approach. The focus is on choice, consent, and clarity, not rigid rules.
Do you offer virtual or remote therapy?
Yes. Online therapy is available and can be a meaningful, effective option for many people, especially those seeking Covid-conscious therapy or needing flexible access.
We can talk together about what format best supports you.
Will I be pushed outside my comfort zone in therapy?
Therapy here includes supported challenge, not pressure.
We work together to create a safe-enough space where, at times, you may be gently invited to meet the edge of your growth, with support, choice, and collaboration.
Discomfort is approached as information, not something to push through or avoid. If something feels like too much, we pause. It is important that you have agency and choice throughout the process.
Is this service only for immunocompromised clients?
No. This service is for anyone who values Covid-conscious care (which includes awareness of other airborne illnesses), community responsibility, and relational connection — including people who:
are immunocompromised or disabled
live with chronic illness or long covid
care for vulnerable loved ones
want therapy that does not minimize health realities
are seeking a Covid cautious therapist in Toronto
How is this different from other therapy practices?
This practice explicitly names and normalizes Covid-conscious and Covid-cautious, rather than leaving clients to guess or advocate for themselves.
It is grounded in embodied relational Gestalt therapy, meaning we focus on:
your lived experience
your awareness in the present moment
relationship and connection
choice and consent
meaning-making through sensation and connection
How do I know if this is the right fit for me?
You don’t need to be certain.
If you’re looking for therapy that:
respects your health choices
centres access and care
avoids pathologizing
welcomes curiosity and supported growth
this may be a good place to start.
You’re welcome to reach out with questions or to explore whether this approach feels supportive for you.
I would welcome your outreach - feel free to send me an email or book a consultation chat to see if this support is the right support for you at this time.