My Approach
As human beings, we all develop ways of thinking, feeling, and responding that help us navigate our experiences and relationships. Many of these responses emerge as adaptations to life's challenges and can serve important protective functions. Over time, however, some of these patterns may begin to create difficulties or no longer align with how we want to live, relate, or move through the world.
Through a strong therapeutic relationship, we'll explore how your past experiences continue to influence your present-day thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and relationships. Together, we may become curious about the different parts of yourself that show up in response to life's challenges, the roles they have taken on, and the experiences that have shaped them. We may also explore how earlier experiences are held in the mind and body and how they continue to affect your sense of self, emotional well-being, and interactions with others.
The goal is not to eliminate parts of yourself or simply change behaviours, but to develop greater understanding, flexibility, and self-compassion while creating space for new ways of responding that better support your values, goals, and overall well-being.
I draw from several therapeutic approaches, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions. This integrative approach allows our work together to be responsive to your unique experiences, strengths, and needs.
I approach my work from a neuro-affirming perspective and aim to support clients in understanding their experiences within the context of their lives rather than viewing themselves as something that needs to be fixed.
About Me
I’ve been a Registered Psychotherapist since 2015 and have worked in the human services field for more than 20 years. I began my career after completing a Child and Youth Worker diploma at St. Lawrence College in 2002, supporting young people in group homes, foster care, and youth justice settings.
While completing my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Carleton University, I moved into hospital-based work as a Child and Youth Counsellor, first on an adolescent psychiatry unit and later within specialized inpatient and outpatient eating disorders programs within a children’s hospital.
I then worked as an Addictions Counsellor in a community-based organization supporting high school students and young adults. Over time, I also took on leadership roles providing clinical supervision to youth and young adult teams and contributing to the development of supports for individuals experiencing both eating and substance use difficulties.
After completing my Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University in 2017, I worked as an Addiction Therapist in a residential treatment program before transitioning into post-secondary counselling, where I now provide mental health counselling and psychotherapy to both emerging and mature adults. I also provide clinical supervision for Master’s-level counselling interns.
In my private practice, I offer individual counselling and psychotherapy, as well as clinical supervision.
Nadine McLean MA, RP
Qualifications & Certifcations
Registered Psychotherapist (Independent Practice)
College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Trained Therapist
Internal Family Systems Level 1 - IFS Institute
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapist (in training)
EMDRIA-Approved Basic EMDR Therapy Training - EMDR Training Canada in partnership with Niagara Stress and Trauma Clinic
International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor (ICADC), Canadian Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor (CCAC), & Canadian Clinical Supervisor - Addiction Counsellor (CCS-AC)
Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer (ASIST)
LivingWorks