Connor McCrindle

Modalities: Person-Centered Therapy | Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) | Sport and Performance Psychology | Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) | Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBT) | Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) | Internal Family Systems (IFS) | Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) | Narrative Therapy | Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

Specialities: ADHD | Sport Psychology | Life Transitions | Self-Esteem | Grief | Depression | Intimate Partner Violence

About me & my approach:

I may be different from what you expect to see in a therapist. I stutter, I lose my train of thought and sometimes need to be reminded to speak up. I am imperfect, and this is what makes me so well equipped to support you. I’ve walked on my own convoluted path to get to where I am. While our paths may look much different from one another’s, I utilize the wisdom from my life experiences, time in sports, research and training, and my experiences of being the client in the therapy room to ensure that I come to session with the ability to support you through the ups and downs of life.

Our journeys in life will be different, and I bring my lived experience to  help me to support you on your journey. Whether you want to work toward excellent in sport, re dealing with an injury, are feeling stuck, feel like you’re unsure of where to go, or are being pulled in multiple different directions. Admittedly, I won’t always have the answers, but my training, education, and drive to learn make me well equipped to collaborate with you to find the answer you are looking for.

So if you find yourself needing authentic, real, and relaxed support for understanding ADHD, dealing with the loss of a loved one, with a major life transition like recovering, with depression, navigating gender-based violence, or dealing from a sports injury or retiring, I am happy to help you navigate the complex twists and turns that life has to offer us.

I will be honest and say that therapy is scary, I should know! So, I strive to break down barriers and stigma associated with therapy. Specifically, I want to remind you that therapy is a place free from judgment, where you can be fully yourself, whether that means cursing, laughing, or crying when you otherwise couldn’t. I take the time to work with you and find the best approach to support you, whether I guide us through our work or help you to take charge. My hopes are for you to be capable of moving forward on your own. So, I hope that in working with me you can learn to appreciate and be fully yourself, because I know that you are a human just like me.

Specializations & Areas of Interest:

ADHD

Whether you have a diagnosis of ADHD or are curious, I have spent most of my career working with and supporting people to better understand the ways they think and problem solve. I believe that ADHD is not a weakness, rather it is a strength that can be leveraged to achieve your goals. Together we can explore how to make use of your strengths and skills, while also developing an understanding of you.

Sports & Setbacks

I know what it is like to suffer setbacks, injuries, and to leave your passion earlier than you wanted. So regardless of what you may face, I will bring my own lived experience and education to help you navigate the uncertainties that sports never prepare you well enough for.

Depression

Struggling with depression can be exhausting because you can feel stuck and alone. I’m sure you’ve heard people say that it will get better with time, I won’t share these platitudes, but I will remind you that you don’t have to be alone. We can work together, making use of my education and your own experiences to understand the complex and draining feelings you may be stuck in or wading through.

Grief

Grief is one of the most terrible experiences we can go through, and I am sure that I could never encapsulate the immense feelings of pain and loss you are suffering. Yet I would love to be a part of your journey in whatever shape that takes. I will walk alongside you and remind you that grief is non-linear and does not adhere to the five stages we are commonly taught, while also helping you to set boundaries and focus on what you need most at any given time.

Intimate-partner violence

There is so much stigma surrounding intimate-partner violence—especially for male presenting victims. It is for this reason that I will always hold space, advocate, and remind you of the power you have as you move forward.

Professional Experience

Like many my own professional journey in mental health began as a personal journey, where I received support for my own challenges, where I was able to take what I had learned and apply it to my passion for supporting others. I have spent most of my education researching how to support individuals struggling with technology, gaming, screen-time, and social media concerns. When I began my Masters I started to research and learn about how to best support students as they transition to university, emphasizing the importance of building upon social support.

I was then able to take all my experience and knowledge and apply it to my practicum at the From Intention to Action (FITA) program at Carleton University, where I supported students facing challenges like, sports and performance anxiety, ADHD concerns, academic stress, depression, grief, and interpersonal difficulties. My work at FITA focused on promoting agency, building self-compassion and mindfulness, and helping my clients to develop the skills to stand on their own.

Outside the Therapy Room

In my free time you’ll likely find me listening to music, playing the guitar or struggling to learn the piano, playing video games on my own, with friends, or with family, campaigning in D&D and Daggerheart, watching true crime documentaries, anime, medical dramas. I also love watching hockey, cheering for my favourite teams or booing the refs for a missed call. I love being active, whether it’s running, climbing, skating on the canal, playing sports, or exercising. I hope this gives you a better idea of what it might be like to work with me and I look forward to getting the chance to know you better too! 

Education & Credentials

• Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology – University of Ottawa
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Carleton University
• Registered Psychotherapist – CRPO Registration # 18066
• Member – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA, Member # 11260556