Alyssa Louw, Ph.D., is a Registered Psychologist who brings an uplifting, caring, and non-judgmental approach to supporting clients on their mental health journey.

Alyssa values strong therapeutic relationships, and strives to create a space in which clients feel safe to express difficult or previously disowned thoughts, feelings and experiences. She focuses on client strengths, not pathology, and works collaboratively with clients to create the changes they would like in their lives.

Her holistic approach draws from emotion-focused therapy, mindfulness, somatic experiencing, attachment-based EMDR, and ego state therapy. Recognizing everyone is different, she strives to meet people where they are and to adapt to client’s unique needs and personality.

Alyssa is also trained in emotion-focused couples therapy, most recently having completed an externship in emotionally focused couples therapy and emotionally focused therapy core skills training through the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.

Alyssa welcomes clients experiencing anxiety, stress, self-esteem and assertiveness issues, life transitions, interpersonal issues, depression, grief and trauma. She also works with couples experiencing distress in their relationship.

Alyssa has taught at the University of Ottawa, researched mental health promotion for the Department of National Defence, and worked with community organizations on topics such as crisis line counsellor training, homelessness in the LGBTQ community, and violence prevention. Alyssa enjoys camping and hiking trips, yoga and meditation, and spending time with her family and friends.