Individual Psychotherapy in ottawa
We provide therapy to adults 18+. In person therapy is available in Ottawa. Virtual therapy is available for ALL of Ontario.
What is therapy?
Therapy is a space just for you. There is nothing that you have to talk about and nothing that you can’t talk about.
Therapy is…
An act of self-care
Time carved out just for you
Explore what truly fills your cup (and what has been depleting it)
Gain a deeper understanding of who you are
Become a better version of yourself
Psychotherapy, like a well-tended garden, is a nurturing space where you can cultivate your mental and emotional wellbeing.
Just as a gardener tends to their plants, our role is to provide a supportive environment for growth and healing. It’s a process of patient cultivation, growth and transformation. It offers you the opportunity to tend to your inner landscape, fostering resilience, wellbeing, and a more fulfilling life.
Areas of expertise
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Anxiety, depression & mood disorders
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Addiction
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ADHD
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Personality disorders
(e.g. Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder)
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Burnout & work-related stress
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Chronic Illness
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Eating disorders
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Emotional regulation
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Embodiment work
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Grief & loss
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Highly Sensitive Person Trait (HSP)
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Interpersonal relationships
(e.g. family conflict, codependency, communication, romantic relationships)
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Men’s Issues
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Perfectionism
(incl. procrastination, self-criticism & self-esteem)
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Self-discovery work
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Sexuality & related topics
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Sleep & insomnia
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Spiritual / religious / existential issues
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Trauma (PTSD and c-PTSD)
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Women’s issues
(e.g. PMS, PMDD, Pre- and post-natal)
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2SLGBTQIA+ Community
Specialized Care
We have extensive training and experience in addressing the particular issues encountered by:
Health care workers (e.g. physicians, residents, nurses, therapists, social workers, veterinarians, etc.)
First responders (e.g. paramedics, firefighters, police officers, etc.)
University students and young adults
High achievers of all kinds (those striving for excellence in their field)
Moms & Dads supporting a child/teenager in difficulty
Individuals on a medical leave from work

Our approach
We are client-centered therapists who work with what you want to bring into the therapy space. We use a holistic, integrative, and trauma-informed approach. This means that we pull from different approaches to suit your needs, are mindful of respecting your pace, and recognize the complexity of recovery from different types of trauma.
Our team has extensive training and experience with the following:
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Narrative therapy
We are also intentional about integrating dimensions of culture and spirituality/religion if this is something you would be open to bringing into your therapy session. We believe in incorporating your whole self in therapy, which includes mind, body, heart, and soul.
Note on DBT:
Yes! We do offer specialized Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). An assessment is required to see if DBT is a good fit for your needs. We also assess your readiness for change as DBT is an intensive therapy. DBT is the gold standard treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and related issues like emotional dysregulation. It can also be effective for other conditions such as eating disorders, trauma-based presenting issues, and more.

Cup of Tea Psychotherapy
Meet Our Team
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Chantal Riel
M.A., Registered Psychotherapist, Clinical Director, Clinical Supervisor
Works with adults ○ In-person & virtual ○ Anxiety ○ ADHD ○ Trauma & (c-)PTSD ○ Work-related stress & burnout ○ Women’s issues ○ and more!
Français & English
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Bianca Picciano
M.A., Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Works with adults ○ In-person & virtual ○ Anxiety ○ Depression ○ Trauma & sexual trauma ○ Relationships ○ Caregiver stress ○ Chronic illness ○ Grief ○ and more!
English
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Emily Howell
M.A., Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Works with adults ○ In-person & virtual ○ Anxiety ○ Depression ○ ADHD ○ Addictions ○ Relationships ○ Trauma ○ and more!
English
Frequently asked questions
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Click HERE to get started.
You can book yourself in or send us a message and we will be happy to walk you through the process.
You can start with a free 15-minute phone consultation or with your full initial session if you are ready to dive in!
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Please visit our online booking system here for up-to-date information on each practitioner’s fees.
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All individual psychotherapy sessions are 50 minutes within the hour.
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Psychotherapy services are currently not included in the Ontario Health Care Plan (OHIP). However, many employer-provided or private health insurance plans provide partial or full coverage.
Please review your insurance policy or contact your insurance provider to determine if psychotherapy services are covered in your plan.
You will receive a receipt after each session with all necessary information to submit your claim.
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We currently provide direct billing with Medavie Blue Cross.
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Yes! After you have booked your first session, you will receive a short intake and consent form. It typically takes between 5 to 10 minutes to fill out.
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A phone consultation gives you the chance to speak with your therapist and see if it feels like a good fit. You will be invited to share a little bit about what brings you to therapy before going over logistical details to guide you in the booking process should you wish to proceed.
A phone consultation is a no-strings-attached opportunity and does not commit you to anything.
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There is paid parking on site or free 2-hour parking in the residential streets behind the building.
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Payments can be made by e-transfer or credit card.
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Your appointment time is reserved for you and you alone. The cancellation policy is in place to support the continuity of our work and your commitment to the process of therapy. It also allows the opportunity for other clients to access services.
If you are unable to provide at least 48-hours’ notice (not including weekends or holidays) when you cancel or if you miss your appointment, the full fee of the session will apply. Thank you for your understanding.
Get Started with cup of tea, today.
Location
150 Isabella St., Unit 301, Ottawa ON K1S 5H3
Please note: We operate from within a collective office of mental health practitioners.
Follow the signs for Shine Mental Health Collective.
“Psychotherapy is meditation for two. I am inviting you to slow down enough to be present, at the feeling level, to what you just said and I meet you there, and we talk. Then we are in the stream of transformation.”
- Naya Rivera
Get started with Cup of Tea, today.